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.

"We go to practice every day with a plan," Kelvin Sampson said, emphasizing the team's disciplined approach. This year's UH team is the 20th team he's taken to the NCAA Tournament.

UH, the No. 1 seed in the Midwest region, will face No. 16 SIU-Edwardsville at 1 p.m. Thursday in a first-round game that will be televised on TBS.

The 2025 NCAA Tournament field is officially set after it was revealed on Selection Sunday. The four No. 1 seeds in the Field of 68 are Houston, Duke, Florida and Auburn with Bruce Pearl's team earning the top overall seed despite not even winning the SEC tournament.

Houston knew it was going to be a top seed in the NCAA Tournament on Selection Sunday. But now, the Cougars know for sure which region they are headed to later on in the week. Houston was named the No.