SIUE Cougars: A History of NCAA Tournament Appearances
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Cougars men's basketball team has a history marked by transitions, resilience, and growing success. Representing SIUE in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) of NCAA Division I basketball, the Cougars have steadily built their program, punctuated by appearances in both the NCAA Division I and Division II tournaments. This article delves into the program's journey, highlighting key moments and achievements.
Early Years and Building a Foundation
The SIUE basketball program began on November 23, 1967, under the guidance of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame coach Harry Gallatin. The program faced significant challenges in its early years, including a lack of scholarships, inadequate facilities, and limited funding. Larry Graham resurrected the program in 1984, and the team finally found a home in the new Sam M. Vadalabene Center on campus.
Rise to Prominence
The Cougars experienced a resurgence during Marty Simmons' tenure as head coach. Following Simmons' departure to his alma mater, the University of Evansville, SIUE appointed Lennox Forrester, a long-time Missouri Valley Conference assistant coach, as the program's seventh head coach. Under Forrester's leadership, the Cougars began the transition from Division II to Division I and joined the Ohio Valley Conference.
Transition to Division I and OVC Membership
Despite facing losing seasons during the transition period, the Cougars showed increasing competitiveness each season. While Forrester's teams had a 50-92 record in his first five seasons, his contract was extended after the 2011-12 season. The 2012-13 season was a milestone as it marked the first time the Cougars were eligible to participate in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
Navigating Challenges and Building Momentum
Brian Barone's arrival marked a period of steady improvement for the Cougars. Appointed interim head coach in 2019 and later confirmed in the role, Barone has overseen win totals of eight in 2019-20, nine in 2020-21, and 11 in 2021-22. The 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to game cancellations and postponements. For instance, the team's December 13th game at Northwestern was cancelled. After a win over Morehead State on December 18, SIUE had nine consecutive games postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak on the team. Despite these challenges, SIUE persevered, playing 18 games in 37 days to conclude the season and qualifying for the OVC Tournament, where they lost to Belmont in the opening round. The following year, the Cougars again qualified for the OVC Tournament, navigating five postponed games due to COVID-19 concerns.
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NCAA Tournament Appearances
The Cougars have demonstrated their competitive spirit through multiple appearances in NCAA tournaments.
- NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament: The Cougars have appeared in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament once.
- NCAA Division II Tournament: The Cougars have appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament five times.
Recent Successes and Future Prospects
The SIUE men's basketball team is heading to the 2025 NCAA Tournament after winning the Ohio Valley Conference. In a historic season, the SIUE men's basketball team achieved a remarkable feat, securing its place in the 2025 NCAA Tournament by clinching the Ohio Valley Conference title. This victory is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and the leadership of head coach Brian Barone.
The Cougars set a program record with 13 OVC victories this season, securing its first-ever winning season in OVC play. The team's 22 overall were are the most for the team at the Division I history and the squad earned the No. 2 seed in the OVC Tournament, its highest-ever. SIUE defeated Tennessee State and No.
Brian Barone, who has been with SIUE since 2017, first as an assistant coach and then as head coach since 2019, has been instrumental in the team's turnaround. His base salary is around $204,000. Before SIUE, Barone served as the head coach at Butler Community College. As a player, Barone played his first two seasons at Texas A&M, earning honorable mention all-Big 12 honors as a sophomore in 1997-98.
The SIUE men's basketball team will be a No. 16 seed and play No. CT and the game will air on TBS.
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The Cougars' recent success reflects the program's continued growth and potential. With a strong foundation and dedicated leadership, the SIUE men's basketball team is poised for continued success in the Ohio Valley Conference and beyond.
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