The Saint Louis Billikens demolished Loyola Chicago 86-59 on Friday night, extending their winning streak to 18 games and leaving them one victory away from matching the longest run in program history.
Nobody outside the Gateway City is paying attention. They should be.
Josh Schertz Has Built a Monster in Year Two
Saint Louis is 24-1 overall and a perfect 12-0 in Atlantic 10 play, the best conference start in school history. The Billikens rank first in the nation in field-goal-percentage defense, holding opponents to just 36.3% shooting. They’re fourth nationally in fast-break points at 18.67 per game. They’re third in effective field-goal percentage at 61.3% and among the nation’s best in three-point shooting.
Those aren’t mid-major numbers. Those are numbers that belong to a team capable of making a deep run.
Schertz arrived from Indiana State in April 2024 after leading the Sycamores to a 32-7 season and the NIT championship game. He won the Hugh Durham Award as the nation’s top mid-major coach and brought his up-tempo, efficiency-obsessed system to Midtown St. Louis. In year one, the Billikens went 19-15 and reached the NIT. In year two, they’re chasing history.
The 19-game win streak record was set during the 2013-14 season when Jim Crews guided SLU to 27 wins. That team reached the NCAA Tournament. This one is positioning itself for a protected seed.
Friday’s blowout was a clinic. Ishan Sharma and Trey Green each dropped 14 points on four three-pointers apiece, torching Loyola Chicago’s porous perimeter defense. Amari McCottry contributed 11 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Chicago native Quentin Jones returned home and finished with 12 points and six assists. All nine Billikens who played in the first half scored.
The defense, as it has been all season, was suffocating. Saint Louis held Loyola Chicago to 33.9% shooting and forced 15 turnovers, converting them into 18 points.
Saint Louis’ Path to a Protected Seed
Multiple bracketology projections have Saint Louis as a No. 6 seed. For a program that hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2019, that would represent a seismic shift. The Billikens already own a road win at VCU, knocking off the Rams 71-62 in early January for their first victory at the Siegel Center in 11 tries.
The remaining schedule is manageable. Six conference games stand between Saint Louis and the A-10 Tournament in Pittsburgh. If the Billikens can match or break the school record, they’ll enter March with undeniable momentum.
Schertz’s formula is straightforward but difficult to replicate. Elite defense creates transition opportunities. Balanced scoring prevents opponents from keying on any single player. And a deep bench keeps legs fresh for late-game execution. Against Loyola Chicago, Saint Louis shot 50.8% from the field and 43.8% from three while dominating the glass 44-28.
The A-10 hasn’t been a multi-bid league in recent years. VCU was the conference’s only NCAA Tournament representative last season, and George Mason shared the regular-season title. This year feels different. The Billikens aren’t just winning the conference. They’re making a case for national relevance.
Saint Louis heads to Rhode Island on Tuesday. Then the Billikens continue their road swing. Somewhere in the next few weeks, they’ll have a chance to set a new school record and cement Schertz’s second season as a program-defining moment.
Saint Louis hasn’t been this good in over a decade. If you’re not watching, you’re missing one of the best stories in college basketball.