After a thrilling game-winner to beat Purdue, no. 1 seed Houston basketball takes on no. 2 seed Tennessee in the elite eight for the opportunity to head to the Final Four.
Game information
Teams: Houston (33-4) and Tennessee (30-7)
Tip-off: 1:20 p.m. CST
Watch: CBS
Listen: KPRC 950
Defenses on Display:
Houston and Tennessee both present two of the top defenses in the country, with the Cougars being ranked no. 1 in KenPom defensive rating, as well as the no.1 scoring defense in the country, giving up 58.5 points per game. The Volunteers are 8th in scoring defense at 62.9 PPG and rank third in KenPom defensive rating.
Houston is also third in field goal percentage defense at 38.4%, followed right behind by Tennessee at 38.5%. UT is also fourth in three-point percentage defense at 28.5%.
While the numbers may be similar, along with a tough and physical style of play, it is not as much as it seems according to Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson. The team defenses’ core values are set up based on what is run offensively and what Tennessee presents is quite unique.
The Volunteers senior point guard Zakai Zeigler, who averages 13.9 PPG along with 7.5 APG, is another elite distributor UH will be facing.
“Zeigler presents a different kind of front because he uses ball screens probably less, but he impacts the game probably more dynamically with his athleticism, speed and the different ways that he can get a basket,” Sampson said.
The other senior guard, Chaz Lanier is the team’s leading scorer with 18 PPG.
“He’s 6’5″ and can shoot over you. He’s a tough matchup,” Sampson said.
The Cougars will be facing some strong offensive guards, but this will be the toughest defensive team Houston has faced all year. UH will need graduate guard LJ Cryer to have a good game after only putting up five points on 2/11 shooting against Purdue. With a second game in the building, Cryer might be able to adjust in this matchup. UH’s defense will need to bring the intensity from the get-go vs an opponent that will definitely be physical.
“We hang our hat on defense and so do they. They’re one of the best defenses in the country, but every possession is super aggressive,” Zeigler said. “They play really tough, but we do the same thing.”
Quick Turnaround on Preparation
With the 1 a.m. finish to Houston’s Sweet 16 win over Purdue, the Cougars’ next game is already upon them. UH was able to get some sleep for the most part, and Sampson mentioned he didn’t start preparing for Tennessee until Saturday morning and he had to prepare to sleep after a thrilling win.
There are no changes to preparation for Houston’s coaching staff. They already prepare as hard as they can and play as hard as they can every night. The formula does not change 40 minutes away from a final four berth.
“I think they would be shocked if I approached this game any differently than any other game we play. We’ll have a game plan and try to hit as many areas with our plan as we can,” Sampson said.
The time between the Sweet 16 and elite eight is already crunched, but a late start time on Friday and early start time on Sunday is what Houston has to deal with.
“You almost over prepare for in between the first weekend and the second weekend and then you get to your second game and you got 24 hours. Just go play,” Sampson said.
Graduate guard Mylik Wilson, who did not practice on Saturday, is being closely monitored by UH staff and is currently a game time decision after suffering a strong hit to the head on the ground while going for a rebound in the air.
Wilson was taken to the locker room in the second half and didn’t return. A key member of the Houston rotation, known for his rebounding and grit, Wilson would be sorely missed if he cannot go on Sunday.
Graduate forward J’Wan Roberts discussed the support Wilson has been receiving.
“That’s my roommate, so I didn’t go to bed until 4-5 in the morning, just comforting him and letting him know we got you,” Roberts said.
Milos is the Man
In Houston’s incredible last second win over Purdue, Uzan had the game winning layup along with 22 points, six assists and six threes.
The growth of UH’s new ball handler has now been widely documented with his performances on the national stage. The pass first ability of Uzan is why Houston went in the transfer portal and got him.
“There’s a lot of teams that have shooting guards playing point guards. Those aren’t point guards, those are combo guards. Our point guard has to be a point guard and Milos was exactly that,” Sampson said.
His teammates have constantly supported Uzan along the way, and his confidence has oozed to where he can make those big shots in big games.
“They gave him permission to be their point guard and then they would push him to do more, to be better, to be vocal, to be the leader, to be the point guard,” Sampson said. “They wanted him to be their point guard and that’s what he needed.”
Sampson and Barnes, Friends for Life
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes and Sampson have been close friends for over 40 years, going back to their college days when they first met in the 1970s. Throughout both their times as coaches, even when Barnes was at Texas and Sampson at Oklahoma in the Red River rivalry, they have kept the same friendship.
“I love Kelvin Sampson, and he and I will be friends until the day we die. We’ll probably spend a lot of time together when we’re both done with it because of the fact that he’s a fun guy to be around,” Barnes said.
While both these coaches know each other quite well, it will be interesting to see which team of theirs gets the upper hand in this matchup. Both had a lot of great insight to say about each other, but Barnes recognized what Houston basketball is known for.
“When you think of him and his program, defense and rebounding are two of the things that come to mind,” Barnes said.
From reminiscing about those fun golf days between him and Barnes, Sampson shared many stories about the unique personality of the Volunteers head coach and even the phone calls they have had.
“He’s just a jewel among jewels. He’s one of the great ones. I’ve spent a lot of time with that guy, different places, on the road, recruiting. If we don’t win it, I hope he does. That’s how much I respect him,” Sampson said.
[…] guard Mylik Wilson, who came in a game-time decision after exiting the second half early vs Purdue and didn’t practice, felt good to play. Wilson was […]