NEWLY MINTED “REGIONS BANK SHOW ME SHOWDOWN” IS FIRST MEETING BETWEEN IN-STATE RIVALS SINCE 2001

                  ST. LOUIS – Oct. 30, 2026 – The wait is nearly over for local college basketball fans who have yearned for the resumption of the University of Missouri vs. Saint Louis University men’s basketball series for a quarter century.  The teams will meet on the court at Enterprise Center at 6 p.m. next Friday, Nov. 6, for the first time since a 2001 matchup which saw Mizzou win on a buzzer-beater at the arena then known as Savvis Center. 
The schools came to an agreement in June on a new three-game series, which has now been dubbed the Regions Bank Show Me Showdown.  Limited tickets for the first game of the series are available on Ticketmaster.

Historically, games between Mizzou and SLU have been competitive, exciting, and memorable.  The Billikens and Tigers have played 40 times since 1931, with Mizzou holding a 21-19 advantage.  The three most recent games were a three-game series from 1999-2001.  SLU won the 1999 contest 75-72 in front of 26,000 at the TWA Dome.  Mizzou won the next two games, 77-73 on its home floor in Columbia, and a 69-67 thriller in St. Louis. 

“We’re excited that this game is finally here,” said SLU Head Coach Josh Schertz. “We know the incredible history of this matchup and what it means to basketball fans throughout the city of St. Louis and across the state of Missouri. This is a great opportunity for both programs, and I hope it’s something that continues in perpetuity, long after Coach Gates and I are coaching at our respective places. It’s great for the city, great for the state and great for college basketball.”

“Rivalries are what make college basketball so special, and I couldn’t be more excited for the basketball fans in the state of Missouri, alumni and current students of both institutions to face off with Saint Louis,” said Mizzou Head Coach Dennis Gates. “Coach Schertz and I recognized that it has been too many years since the last game and we made it a priority. We look forward to Enterprise Center hosting one of college basketball’s most anticipated games during the opening week.”

As expected, both schools’ fan bases are gearing up for a new chapter of what has been a fun and competitive in-state rivalry.  Mizzou’s pregame headquarters is at The Midwestern on Spruce Street Downtown, with a pep rally starting at 4:30 p.m.  Saint Louis University’s pregame gathering and rally will take place on the 1303 Spruce St. Parking Lot, catty-corner from Enterprise Center, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

“It’s wonderful to see these two programs reignite their basketball rivalry in St. Louis,” said St. Louis Sports Commission President Marc Schreiber.  “Our area fans deserve this game, and we’re tremendously excited to see the Regions Bank Show Me Showdown add to the list of exciting sporting events in our community.  We salute both athletic departments and Coach Gates and Coach Schertz for coming together to make this happen.”