SIUE Prepares for Historic NCAA Tournament Houston

The No. 16 seed Cougars, led by coach Brian Barone and star Ray’Sean Taylor, face a formidable challenge against Kelvin Sampson’s No. 1 seed Houston on Thursday.

Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (SIUE) makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance after winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, marking a major milestone for the program.
Top-seeded Houston enters the matchup with a 30-4 record, a 13-game winning streak, and a Big 12 Conference Tournament title, solidifying its status as a championship contender.
SIUE coach Brian Barone has longstanding ties with Houston coach Kelvin Sampson, stemming from Barone’s playing days and his father’s coaching career, adding a personal layer to the game.
Houston’s J’Wan Roberts, who averages 10.8 points and 6.3 rebounds, returns from injury, bolstering a team already known for its disciplined and focused approach under Sampson.
SIUE’s Ray’Sean Taylor, the program’s all-time leading scorer, leads the underdog Cougars with confidence, overcoming two ACL injuries to help secure the team’s historic tournament berth.

SIUE Prepares for Historic NCAA TournamentHouston