If you aren't paying attention to the A-10 right now, you're missing out. Seriously. The St. Louis vs Loyola Chicago matchup has quietly turned into one of the most entertaining regional fights in college basketball. It’s got everything: Jesuit school pride, a classic "I-55" geographic tension, and two fanbases that genuinely want to outdo each other every single time the ball tips.
Honestly, it makes sense. You've got St. Louis University (SLU) basically owning the gateway to the west, and Loyola Chicago holding it down on the north side of the Windy City. When Loyola jumped from the Missouri Valley Conference to the Atlantic 10 a few years back, this was the pairing everyone circled on the calendar. It wasn't just a schedule addition. It was a cultural fit that felt overdue.
The Recent Chaos on the Court
Let's look at what's been happening lately because the scores have been all over the place. Just this past January 2026, the women's teams faced off at Gentile Arena, and it was a total rollercoaster. St. Louis looked like they had it in the bag, leading 55-49 going into the fourth quarter. Then, Loyola basically flipped a switch.
The Ramblers went on this massive 22-9 run. Alex-Anne Bessette was everywhere, dropping 20 points. Loyola closed the game on a 13-1 run to win it 71-64. If you were a Billikens fan watching that, it was agonizing. If you were a Rambler? Pure magic.
On the men's side, things have been just as unpredictable. During the 2024-25 season, the home-court advantage was real. St. Louis absolutely dismantled Loyola at Chaifetz Arena with a 98-67 blowout in March. Gibson Jimerson was hitting everything that night—literally 9-for-17 from three. It felt like the Billikens couldn't miss if they tried. But then, fast forward to the A-10 Tournament in Washington D.C., and Loyola got their revenge, knocking SLU out with a 72-64 win in the quarterfinals.
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Why the History Matters
This isn't a "new" thing, even if the conference labels are different now. These two have been playing off and on since 1922. That’s over a century of history.
For a long time, St. Louis held the upper hand. They had a seven-game win streak back in the late 80s. But Loyola has been scrappy. They’ve rebuilt that program into something formidable since their 2018 Final Four run. Now, when St. Louis vs Loyola Chicago pops up on the schedule, it’s not a "gimme" for either side.
The overall series is incredibly tight. We're talking about a record where neither team has a massive, multi-decade cushion. That’s what makes a rivalry move from "regional interest" to "must-watch."
Coaching Styles and Mid-Major Identity
Josh Schertz took over the Billikens and immediately brought a fast-paced, high-octane offense. It’s fun to watch. They want to run you out of the gym. On the other side, Drew Valentine has kept Loyola’s identity rooted in defensive intensity and "toughness."
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When these two styles clash, it’s a chess match.
- SLU wants the game in the 80s or 90s.
- Loyola wants to grind it out in the 60s.
- The Result? Usually a game that comes down to who can force their tempo in the final four minutes.
The Fan Factor
Go to a game at Chaifetz in St. Louis or Gentile in Chicago, and you’ll see the overlap. There are a ton of SLU alums living in Chicago. There are a ton of Loyola grads in St. Louis. The "I-55 Rivalry" name gets thrown around, and it fits. It’s a five-hour drive that fans are more than willing to make.
The energy in the student sections—the SLU "Blue Crew" and the Loyola "Lu's Crew"—is electric. It’s loud, it’s personal, and it’s exactly what college sports should be.
What to Watch For Next
If you're betting on or just following this matchup, keep an eye on the turnover margin. In their most recent women's matchup, Loyola forced 15 turnovers. That was the game. On the men's side, it's all about the three-point line. If SLU is hitting, they are almost impossible to beat at home.
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The next few years are going to be wild. Both programs are recruiting at a high level. Both are trying to prove they belong at the top of the A-10 alongside teams like Dayton and VCU.
To really understand where these teams are headed, you have to look at their non-conference performance. St. Louis has been a statistical darling lately, sitting high in the NET rankings even when their schedule isn't the toughest. Loyola has had more ups and downs, but they’ve shown they can play up to their competition when the lights are bright.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Venue: In this series, home-court advantage has accounted for nearly a 10-point swing in recent years.
- Watch the Three-Point Volume: SLU’s offense lives and dies by the arc; if they're cold in the first ten minutes, Loyola usually takes control.
- Tournament Seeding: This matchup often ends up being a "bubble" decider for the NIT or NCAA tournament bids, so the February/March games carry double the weight.
Keep an eye on the schedule for February 2026. The men’s rematch is going to be a battle for conference standing, and if history tells us anything, it won't be a quiet one.
Next Steps for the Die-Hards:
Check the official Atlantic 10 standings to see how these two are jockeying for a first-round bye in the tournament. You should also look into the "ArchBaron Cup" (SLU vs. Dayton) to see how the Billikens handle their other major regional rival, as it often dictates their momentum heading into the Loyola games.