With 2.8 seconds on the clock in a 60-60 tie, Kelvin Sampson went to his play sheet to name “51.” Purdue lined the primary one, however the second choice was open, and it was a becoming one for Houston to advance to the Elite Eight for the primary time since 2022.Â
After Milos Uzan delivered an entry cross to Joseph Tugler, the junior received each of his ft in-bounds and laid in a go-ahead bucket with 0.9 seconds left to place the Cougars up, 62-60. A Braden Smith heave on the horn was off, Lucas Oil Stadium was largely silenced, and the category of the Massive 12 discovered a approach straight away traditional Friday evening in Indianapolis.
After Houston misplaced a 10-point lead because of Smith’s heroics and a Camden Heide game-tying triple with 35 seconds left, the Cougars had the ball with a 3.7-second distinction between shot and sport clock. After two missed pictures resulted in a Boilers deflection out of bounds, it gave Sampson the power to name the game-winning play, and it was executed to perfection.Â
It is solely becoming that it was Uzan, who was introduced in to assist offset the lack of star guard Jamal Shead. On Friday evening, Houston wanted the Oklahoma switch in each approach, as LJ Cryer shot 2-of-13 from the sector and had simply 5 factors. Cryer did hit an enormous 3 with beneath 4 minutes remaining within the sport, however the fifth-year senior was off for almost all of the evening, whereas Smith was commanding the sport, ending with 15 assists and solely three turnovers. But it surely was simply shy of being sufficient, because the Boilers have been outscored by Houston 27-15 within the first 12 minutes of the second half.
Following the sport, Sampson was fast to credit score Uzan, who he stated embodies what this system is about and battled by means of a damaged nostril damage throughout October apply when he collided with Emanuel Sharp. He has fought by means of it and is now 40 minutes away from the purpose he set when coming to Houston.
“His progress has mirrored our progress,” Sampson stated of Uzan throughout a postgame interview. “As he is gotten higher, we have gotten higher.”Â
And the Cougars will meet Tennessee on Sunday for a visit to San Antonio.
John Fanta is a nationwide faculty basketball broadcaster and author for FOX Sports activities. He covers the game in a wide range of capacities, from calling video games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Community to offering commentary on The Discipline of 68 Media Community. Observe him at @John_Fanta.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports activities account, observe leagues, groups and gamers to obtain a personalised publication day by day.
Faculty Basketball
Get extra from Faculty Basketball Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
