The top-seed in the Midwest, the Houston Cougars (30-4) take the court in their first game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament against the 16-seed SIUE Cougars (22-11). Houston won the Big 12 Tournament and SIUE won the Ohio Valley Conference.

Madness picks, predictions, odds for SIU Edwardsville vs Houston first-round Midwest Region game on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Printable bracket] Houston has become one of college basketball's most recognizable programs. There was some skepticism if the Cougars could dominate the Big 12 like it dominated the American Athletic Conference,