SIU Edwardsville's basketball program dates to 1967, and the school made the transition from Division II to Division I in 2008. The Cougars compete in the Ohio Valley Conference and have been building their D-I program steadily.
The Cougars name was adopted in the 1960s, chosen for the cougar's speed, agility, and predatory instincts as a symbol for the athletics program.
Winning the 2025 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, routing Southeast Missouri State 69-48 behind OVC Player of the Year Ray'Sean Taylor to clinch the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance.
SIUE's campus is located across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, giving it access to a major metropolitan area's recruiting base while maintaining a smaller-school identity.
The SIU Edwardsville Cougars compete in the Ohio Valley and hold an all-time record of 191–319 (.375 winning percentage) across 18 recorded seasons dating back to 2008-09.
| Season | Record | Conference | Coach | AP peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 19-13 | 12-8 (OVC) | Brian Barone | |
| 2024-25 | 22-12 | 13-7 (OVC) | Brian Barone | |
| 2023-24 | 17-16 | 9-9 (OVC) | Brian Barone | |
| 2022-23 | 19-14 | 9-9 (OVC) | Brian Barone | |
| 2021-22 | 11-21 | 5-13 (OVC) | Brian Barone | |
| 2020-21 | 9-17 | 7-12 (OVC) | Brian Barone | |
| 2019-20 | 8-23 | 5-13 (OVC) | Brian Barone | |
| 2018-19 | 10-21 | 6-12 (OVC) | Jon Harris | |
| 2017-18 | 9-21 | 5-13 (OVC) | Jon Harris | |
| 2016-17 | 6-24 | 1-15 (OVC) | Jon Harris | |
| 2015-16 | 6-22 | 3-13 (OVC) | Jon Harris | |
| 2014-15 | 12-16 | 8-8 (OVC) | Lennox Forrester | |
| 2013-14 | 11-20 | 7-9 (OVC) | Lennox Forrester | |
| 2012-13 | 9-18 | 5-11 (OVC) | Lennox Forrester | |
| 2011-12 | 10-17 | 6-10 (OVC) | Lennox Forrester | |
| 2010-11 | 8-21 | Ind | Lennox Forrester | |
| 2009-10 | 5-23 | OVC | Lennox Forrester | |
| 2008-09 | 10-20 | OVC | Lennox Forrester |
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| Rank | Team | Conference | All-Time Wins |
|---|
Top 100 by all-time D1 wins. Verified against the NCAA record book — and tiered so you can argue properly.
| # | COACH | RECORD | WIN % | SCHOOL(S) | YEARS | BEST SEASON / LEGACY |
|---|