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SIUE Prepares for Historic NCAA TournamentHouston

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.

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Brian Barone (left) played for two seasons at Texas A&M under his father Tony Barone. The elder Barone died in 2019.

Overview

  • 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.