The Cougars, led by sixth-year head coach Lennox Forrester, played their home games at the Vadalabene Center and were members of the West Division of the Ohio Valley Conference.

[2] The OVC's pre-season coaches' poll picked SIUE to finish fourth in the West Division.

[3] During the season, crucial team members Reggie Reed, Maurice Wiltz, and Mark Yelovich suffered injuries, and late in the season, leading scorer Jerome Jones was suspended for the duration.

As a result, the Cougars foundered, ending the season 9–18 and 5–11 in OVC play to finish in a tie for fourth place in the West Division.

[1] † Sat out 2012–13 season due to NCAA Division I transfer rules [4] Source = [5]