Houston Aims for History Against SIU Edwardsville in NCAA Tournament Opener

WICHITA, Kan. — The Houston Cougars begin their quest for a national title on Thursday, March 20, 2025, facing off against the SIU Edwardsville Cougars in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the INTRUST Bank Arena.

Houston, a No. 1 seed, enters the matchup on a remarkable 13-game winning streak. The Cougars have only lost three times this season, amassing a 30-4 overall record, with standout performances in the Big 12 Conference where they went 19-1, marking the most wins recorded by any team in that league.

“We’ve worked hard and we want to keep this momentum going,” said Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson. “The tournament is a new season, but we feel ready for the challenge.”

In contrast, SIU Edwardsville, the No. 16 seed, celebrates its inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance following a championship win in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Cougars hold a record of 22-11 this season.

<p“Making it to the NCAA tournament is a dream come true for us,” said SIU Edwardsville coach Scott Nagy. “We’re excited to take on a top team; it’s a chance to showcase how far we’ve come.”

The game is set to tip-off at 2 p.m. ET and will be aired on TBS. Fans can also follow live updates through the NCAA March Madness app and related streaming services.

As the game nears, the atmosphere is electric with anticipation. Houston’s roster features key players like LJ Cryer and Milos Uzan, who have been instrumental in the team’s offensive strategy, averaging significant points throughout the season.

The Cougars have an impressive field goal percentage of 36.4% but are aiming to improve their three-point shooting, which has recently struggled at 6.2%. In comparison, SIU Edwardsville has a more robust three-point percentage of 25%.

In terms of betting odds, Houston comes into the game favored by 28.5 points with an over/under set at 126.5 total points. The stakes are high as both teams look to solidify their positions within the tournament and make history for their respective programs.

<p“The focus is on us,” Coach Sampson stated emphatically. “We want to play our game, execute, and let the chips fall where they may.”

Houston’s last title victory was in 1984, and the players are eager to bring home the championship trophy this time around.