Array
— The next stop for Houston’s resurrected basketball program is the Big 12.
The Cougars would’ve preferred it to be the Elite Eight — and eventually back home for the Final Four.
The lone No. 1 seed left in the NCAA Tournament after Alabama fell to San Diego State about 30 minutes earlier, the defensive-minded Cougars didn’t stick around much longer Friday night.
Houston simply couldn’t overcome a 3-point barrage from Nijel Pack, the rebounding of Norchad Omier or the dazzling offense from Miami’s talented backcourt in an 89-75 loss in the Midwest Region semifinals.
All-American guard Marcus Sasser had 14 points, but missed an open 3 early in the second half when the Cougars made their only big run against the fifth-seeded Hurricanes. Tramon Mark also had 14 points, but eight of them came in the opening minutes. And Jamal Shead tried to put the Cougars on his back, scoring 15, but many of those came with the game already out of reach.
It was a frustrating end to a season spent hanging around the top of the AP Top 25.
“I’m proud of my team for a lot of things. Unfortunately, one off night and you go home in this tournament,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. “I’m disappointed we lost, sure. A lot of tears in that locker room because they care.”
The problems began in earnest for Houston when, trailing 40-36, a foul sent Miami’s Isaiah Wong to the line with 4 seconds left in the half — he made both free throws to extend the lead.
