INDIANAPOLIS — This week, the Houston Cougars focused on a specific inbound play in practice that Coach Kelvin Sampson thought would be crucial against Purdue. The strategy paid off spectacularly when Milos Uzan executed it flawlessly, leading to a thrilling finish.
With only 0.9 seconds left on the clock, Uzan passed to Joseph Tugler, who quickly threw the ball back to him. Uzan then made a successful layup, clinching a 62-60 victory for the top-ranked Cougars and earning them a spot in the Elite Eight against second-seeded Tennessee this Sunday.
“Great execution at a time we needed that,” said Sampson, who is on the verge of leading his team to a third Final Four and second with Houston in just five years. “You never know when you’re going to need it.”
Despite a rocky finish to the game, Houston managed to hold on and advance. They had only one other basket in the last eight minutes of play, nearly squandering a 10-point lead before taking a timeout with just seconds left. Fortunately, a review confirmed that the Cougars would keep possession of the ball, allowing them one last chance to score.
“I was trying to hit (L.J. Cryer) and then JoJo just made a great read,” Uzan said. “He was able to draw two defenders, and he made a great play to hit me back.”
The Cougars have now reached the Elite Eight for the third time in five years after previous disappointments in the Sweet 16 as a top seed. They will carry the nation’s longest winning streak of 16 games into the Midwest Region final.
The team’s recent success comes from their combination of strong 3-point shooting and impressive defensive skills, making them a formidable opponent. Houston’s previous attempts in the tournament were cut short, so their current momentum is crucial.
Uzan led the scoring with 22 points, while Emanuel Sharp contributed 17. The Cougars survived a challenging game despite leading scorer Cryer’s struggles, finishing with just five points after a tough shooting night.
On the other hand, Purdue did not go quietly. They fought hard, with Fletcher Loyer scoring 16 points and Trey Kaufman-Renn adding 14. Despite a strong crowd supporting them, the Boilermakers came up just short in the nail-biter.
Coach Matt Painter’s team had a rocky path to March Madness with struggles late in the season, but they showed resilience by challenging the top seed closely before the game’s end.
As the game wound down, Houston had to weather a significant moment when a Purdue player tied the score at 60, adding to the tension. A critical timeout by Coach Sampson allowed for strategic planning that ultimately led to their victory.
This season’s tournament continues to bring excitement and surprises, and the Cougars are eyeing their next challenge against Tennessee, with hopes of advancing further in the national championship chase.
