SIU-Edwardsville vs Houston Prediction 3/20/25 College Basketball Picks

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars and Houston Cougars meet Thursday in the college basketball First Round at the INTRUST Bank Arena. Here’s a SIU Edwardsville vs Houston Prediction. This article will include a SIU Edwardsville vs Houston Pick.

SIU Edwardsville Cougars Betting Preview 

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars recently beat Little Rock, Tennessee State, and Southeast Missouri State. SIU Edwardsville is 15-5 since starting the season with a 7-6 record. 

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars are averaging 72.6 points on 43.4 percent shooting and allowing 66.1 points on 40.2 percent shooting. Ray’Sean Taylor is averaging 19.3 points and 4.5 rebounds, while Brian Taylor II is averaging 12 points and 4.1 rebounds. Ring Malith is the third double-digit scorer and Jo Valrie is dishing 0.7 assists. The SIU Edwardsville Cougars are shooting 34.1 percent from beyond the arc and 67.6 percent from the free throw line. The SIU Edwardsville Cougars are allowing 32.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.8 rebounds per game.

Houston Cougars Betting Preview 

The Houston Cougars recently beat Kansas, Baylor, Colorado, BYU, and Arizona. Houston has won 13 straight games and hasn’t lost since February 1. 

The Houston Cougars are averaging 74.2 points on 45.8 percent shooting and allowing 58.5 points on 38.3 percent shooting. LJ Cryer is averaging 15.2 points and 2.2 rebounds, while Emanuel Sharp is averaging 12.6 points and 3.1 rebounds. J’Wan Roberts is the third double-digit scorer and Milos Uzan is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Houston Cougars are shooting 39.8 percent from beyond the arc and 74.1 percent from the free throw line. The Houston Cougars are allowing 30.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.7 rebounds per game.

SIU Edwardsville vs Houston Injury Report

SIU Edwardsville doesn’t have a player listed on its injury report. Houston will be without Ramon Walker Jr., while J’Wan Roberts is questionable with an ankle injury. 

SIU Edwardsville vs Houston Prediction

SIU Edwardsville has an above-average defense that could allow it to hang around for a bit, but you have to question where the offense comes from. Houston has been one of the more consistent teams in the country and has an elite defense that’s first in scoring and top-five in defensive field goal percentage. Houston also shoots the three-ball as well as any team in the tournament. Houston is also one of those teams that doesn’t play with its food and allow the opponent to gain confidence. We’ll know how competitive this game will be within the first five minutes. I’ll lean toward a Houston beat down, so I’ll lay the points with the Cougars.

Randy Chambers's Pick: Houston -28.5