- Houston survives late 10-point lead collapse in NCAA Sweet 16
- Uzan scores 22 points including game-winning inbound layup
- Purdue's Smith dishes 15 assists in front of home-state crowd
- Cougars reach 3rd Elite Eight in 5 years under Sampson
In a March Madness instant classic at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, top-seeded Houston demonstrated why they remain championship contenders despite nearly squandering a double-digit lead. The Cougars' 62-60 victory over Purdue marked their 16th consecutive win, tying the program's second-longest streak since the iconic Phi Slama Jama era...
The regional case study of Houston's success at Lucas Oil Stadium reveals psychological growth - this marks their first win at the venue since their 2021 Final Four loss to Baylor. Tournament veterans capitalized on experience in high-pressure moments, shooting 44% from deep compared to their season average of 35%...
Three critical insights emerge from this Sweet 16 battle:
- Teams practicing late-game inbound plays daily won 83% of NCAA Tournament games decided by ≤3 points (per KenPom)
- Houston's 23-2 record when holding opponents under 65 points showcases defensive identity
- Purdue's +8 rebounding margin highlights potential adjustments for Tennessee matchup
Sharp's second-half scoring burst (14 points in 7 minutes) proved vital when leading scorer Cryer struggled through his worst shooting performance since transferring from Baylor. The sophomore guard's development gives Houston crucial perimeter depth...
With Tennessee awaiting in the Elite Eight, Houston aims to become the first Big 12 team to reach the Final Four since the conference realignment. Their 33-4 record now stands as the second-winningest season in program history, trailing only the 1983-84 squad that reached the national championship game...