SIU-Edwardsville vs Houston Odds, First Round Prediction and March Madness Picks March 20

The Houston Cougars are a huge favorite in the college basketball odds as they begin their NCAA Tournament journey against the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars on Thursday in Wichita.

Houston has won 13 straight games and 26 of 27 since a poor 4-3 start to the season. The Cougars are second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 58.5 points per contest, and that will be the key to your ATS bet.

SIU-Edwardsville is making its first appearance in the Big Dance after winning the Ohio Valley Conference. The best chance in your March Madness betting to use SIU is if the Cougars can shoot better than their 43.4 percent mark.

SIU-Edwardsville vs Houston Prediction Today 3/20

My prediction

Houston 78, SIU-Edwardsville 52

This game might be one you keep out of your March Madness bets because it’s hard to know how intent Houston will be on winning by 30 or more points. The 29-point spread is just hard to beat, especially if Houston is content with a big second-half lead and rests its top players.

SIU-Edwardsville vs Houston Betting Tips

My top picks

1. Bet SIU-Edwardsville +29 points
2. Bet over 126 ½ points
3. Bet Milos Uzan 15+ points

My analysis

Houston will among many March Madness expert picks to win it all and we don’t expect them to be challenged in the first round.

LJ Cryer leads a balanced offense (15.2 ppg, 100 made 3-pointers) while Emanuel Sharp averaged 20.7 points in the Big 12 Tournament and Milos Uzan scored 25 in the championship game, per NCAAB betting tips.

SIU-Edwardsville must have a good shooting game, led by talented Ray’Sean Taylor (21.3 ppg last four). These Cougars have nothing to lose and are 17-12-1 ATS. Houston is 18-15-1 ATS. Check late NCAAB injury news on Houston’s J’Wan Roberts (ankle, questionable).

The country got to see last night what we saw when SIUE came to Kalamazoo back in November…

Ray’Sean Taylor (@rayballin3) is a walking bucket.

Congrats to @SIUEMBB on their first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament! pic.twitter.com/EYajiovpUx

— Evan Stockton (@evstockton) March 9, 2025

The over is 6-2 in the last eight SIU games and was 13-13 in defensive-minded Houston’s first 26 games, so we think that’s your best NCAA basketball pick for this game.

Uzan made 7-of-12 from 3-point range in the Big 12 tournament and is our best player prop.You get +137 odds for 15+ points from him.

SIU-Edwardsville vs Houston March Madness Best Prop Pick

• Emanuel Sharp 3+ made 3-pointers (+129)

Sharp made 12 from 3-point range in three Big 12 tournament games and, with SIU’s defense perhaps sagging toward Cryer and the resurgent Uzan, he may have some room.

.@UHCougarMBK guard Emanuel Sharp is the Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player. pic.twitter.com/MS6MoSSS90

— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) March 16, 2025

The junior guard has made at least three from behind the arc in 15 games this season, so it seems like a good March Madness prediction he will make it 16 on Thursday.

Bet on Emanuel Sharp 3+ Made 3-Pointers (+129)

SIU-Edwardsville vs Houston How to Watch

• Game: SIU-Edwardsville Cougars (22-11) vs Houston Cougars (30-4)
• Date/Time: Thursday, March 20, 2:00 p.m. ET
• Location: INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS
• Cougars vs Cougars Live Stream: TBS.com

Get updated SIU-Edwardsville vs Houston stats here.

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.