The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) Cougars men’s basketball team has achieved a historic milestone by earning their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth. This achievement follows their victory in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Tournament, where they defeated Southeast Missouri 69-48. Ray’Sean Taylor led the team with 20 points and was named OVC Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Under the leadership of head coach Brian Barone, who took over the program in 2019, the Cougars have seen significant improvements. In the 2024-2025 season, they posted a 22-11 record, finishing second in the OVC with a 13-7 conference record. This success has been accompanied by increased community support, with the final home game attracting 2,751 fans—the largest turnout since December 2018.
Looking ahead, the Cougars are preparing for their NCAA Tournament debut, with projections placing them as a 16-seed and a potential First Four matchup in Dayton, Ohio. The official bracket will be announced on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
For more information and updates on SIUE basketball, you can visit their official website or follow them on Instagram.