Justin Love is a champion. He always has been.

After leading his high school team to the conference title, he took his team to the top in junior college as well. This season he already has brought home Saint Louis University’s first Conference USA tournament championship, and he believes the Billikens are poised for an NCAA Tournament run.

NCAA Tournament? Two weeks ago, who would have thought it possible?

“I did, truthfully, believe that (the Billikens would make the 64-team field). Some good had to happen this year. We worked so hard,” said Love.

His time here has been short, but his impact, profound. This year, the 6′ 2″ senior from San Francisco has blossomed into one of the conference’s elite players.

He’s scored a team-high 18.5 points per game and leads the squad in three pointers made, free-throw percentage, assists and steals. He is second on the team in rebounds (5.0 rebounds per game) behind Justin Tatum and has notched over 25 points in 10 games this season.

He has, single-handedly, taken over games, and his consistent play has contributed to much of SLU’s success.

“He has a tremendous will to win,” said coach Lorenzo Romar.

Last season, though, wasn’t an easy one. Despite being named the Bills’ Offensive Player of the Year while averaging nearly 14 ppg, he had his hard times. After being sidelined with a back injury for the first seven games, Love was not only away from home but he also had some critics.

Love finished his first year at SLU on a strong note, but once again found himself in a new predicament with the resignation of Charlie Spoonhour. Just when Love was getting settled in, he was about to have his fourth coach in five years, which has “got to be tough on any player,” he said.

With the hiring of Lorenzo Romar, it was, luckily, a swift transition between coaches. The two had formed a close relationship when Romar recruited Love at Pepperdine.

Upon meeting Love, Romar said, “I just knew that this was a special kid.”

With sacrifice comes success. This summer, Love was determined to get better. He spent countless hours on the court and in the weight room improving his all-around game. Why?

“I was disappointed last year because I didn’t show how good I was,” he said.

He has since hushed his critics and reaped the benefits of hard work. After being named first-team all C-USA for his stellar season, he promptly scored 76 points in the first three games of the C-USA tournament, landing him Most Valuable Player honors. A possible NBA career looms in the future, but first things first for Love.

“I can’t focus on that right now,” he said.

Winning in the NCAA Tournament is his first priority, which is good for every Billikens hopeful. Love intends to keep producing the way he has all season.

“I asked him if his back was OK from carrying us this year, and he said it was,” Romar said.

It’s no wonder why he’s a champion.