Top Seed Houston Faces Off Against SIU Edwardsville in NCAA Tournament Opener

WICHITA, Kan. — The No. 1 seed Houston Cougars, boasting a record of 30-4, are set to take on the No. 16 seed SIU Edwardsville Cougars (22-11) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Bank Arena. The game kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on March 20, 2025, and will be broadcast live on TBS.

With a significant advantage reflected in the betting lines, Houston enters this matchup as a 28.5-point favorite, indicating the disparity in the teams’ standings this season. The game’s over/under is set at 126.5 points, suggesting expectations of a tightly contested but lower-scoring affair.

In their last outings, both teams showcased varied strengths; the Cougars of Houston excelled with a field goal percentage of 40%, while SIU Edwardsville struggled, achieving a mere 0% from three-point range in their last game. Ray’Sean Taylor leads Houston in scoring with an average of 19.3 points per game, while J'wan Roberts contributes significantly on the boards with an average of 6.3 rebounds per game.

“We know what’s at stake in the tournament. It’s win or go home, and we’re treating every game like it’s our last,” said Houston forward J’wan Roberts in a pre-game press conference. This mindset is critical as the team aims to advance further into the tournament.

The Houston Cougars have an impressive March Madness history, frequently reaching the later stages of the tournament. This year, they are expected to continue that trend, using their high-powered offense and strong defensive strategy developed under Head Coach Kelvin Sampson.

Conversely, the SIU Edwardsville Cougars are looking to stun the higher-seed and pull off a monumental upset. “We’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain,” expressed SIU Edwardsville head coach Brian Barone. “Our guys are ready to play hard and will leave everything they have on the floor.”

As the tournament progresses, the performances of players like LJ Cryer (averaging 15.2 points per game) and Milos Uzan for both teams could prove pivotal. With so many dynamics at play, the uncertainty of outcomes is part of the excitement that defines NCAA Tournament play.

The stakes are high as each team faces not only the pressure of a tough match but also the hopes of their respective fan bases. The winner will advance to the next round, continuing their pursuit of the coveted NCAA championship title.