Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville Odds
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-28.5 -104 | 127.5 -110o / -110u | -50000 |
| SIU Edwardsville Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+28.5 -118 | 127.5 -110o / -110u | +4000 |
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The 2025 NCAA Tournament field has been announced and Houston will take on SIU Edwardsville in Round 1 of the Midwest region. Here's everything you need to know about Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville odds, spread and more.
Houston opened as a 28.5-point favorite over SIU Edwardsville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The total is set at over/under 127.5 points scored by both teams combined.
Find out how No. 1-seeded Houston and No. 16-seeded SIU Edwardsville match up ahead of their opening round matchup.
Houston vs. SIU Edwardsville Analysis
No high-major team brutalizes mid-majors more than the Houston Cougars. They only beat one mid-major by less than 29 points in five games — and that was Sun Belt title winner, Troy.
Houston’s defensive pressure (20% turnover rate) and dominance on the offensive glass (36% offensive rebound rate) present the perfect formula to cover this big spread.
We’ll see if J’Wan Roberts suits up here after he missed the Big 12 Tournament with a leg injury. Even if Roberts is out, Houston will still dominate here with Ja’Vier Francis and JoJo Tugler’s hunger for offensive boards.
Don’t sleep on Houston’s guard play, either. The emergence of Milos Uzan next to sharpshooters LJ Cryer and Emanuel Sharp makes this Houston team the most complete during Kevin Sampson’s tenure.
Meanwhile, SIUE represents the Ohio Valley Conference for its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid.
The Cougars played just two high-majors this year and got steamrolled in both, losing 90-58 to Illinois and 80-61 to Indiana.
SIUE prides itself on defense. It holds teams to just 47% shooting from inside the arc and has solid size for a school in the OVC. The athletic 6-foot-9 Ring Malith is huge for SIUE, but his wiry frame will get him in foul trouble.
I’m expecting a 30-plus point win for Houston.
The Pick: Houston -28.5
— Sean Paul
For more coverage of the 2025 NCAA Tournament and Selection Sunday, make sure to check out our experts' live reactions to the bracket reveal and the Selection Sunday live show, where you can get their instant analysis on every matchup as well as some early insights to help you make your bets.
