Tennessee had a brutal first half in opposition to Houston in Elite Eight. (Photograph by Gregory Shamus/Getty Photos)
(Gregory Shamus via Getty Photos)
Houston will go to the top 4 after holding Tennessee at simply 15 factors within the first half.
No. 1 Cougars crushed on Volunteers no. 2, 69-50, in Elite Eight on Sunday, after accumulating a bonus of 34-15 on the break. The fourth basket of the Tennessee recreation got here to 23 capturing makes an attempt. And that blow by Jordan Gainey merely decreased a 21-point benefit in a 29-10 benefit for Houston, with Three:37 to play earlier than the break.
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Tennessee was 1-from-15 behind the Three-point line within the first half and missed the primary 14 strokes behind the bow. The primary model of the vols got here when Zakai Zeigler hit one with 39 seconds to go. This was the primary objective of Zeigler’s recreation, as a result of each he and Chaz Lanier went 2-of-16 within the first half. Gainey was the one Tennessee participant who made two baskets within the first 20 minutes.
The 15 factors had been the least one workforce ever scored half in Elite Eight, and the smallest workforce seeded the #1 or no. 2 within the Male Ncaa event has ever marked in a half of the postseason basketball. It is usually the second factors within the first spherical of March this yr. No. 5 Clemson scored 13 factors within the first spherical loss in comparison with the quantity 12 mcnese. The document from the time of the clock shot for the fewest factors in a half was set in 2001 by Wake Forest and tied in 2008 by Kent State. Each groups had 10 factors.
The 19 -point lead on the break for Houston made the second half of a formality. Each Tennessee and Houston are among the many greatest defensive groups within the nation – and possibly the 2 greatest groups within the school basketball. A 19 -point benefit for Houston could seem twice as a lot as they’re cougars.
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The protection in Tennessee additionally affected Houston shootings within the first half – however to not the extent that Houston may have disturbed volunteers. Houston shot 42% on the bottom and was solely Three out of 10 of the three -point line. However Houston additionally received 9 offensive restoration and scored 11 second -chance. Tennessee had 4 second -chance within the half, regardless of all of the photographs missed
However, though Houston didn’t have a improbable capturing day, Cougars compensated by the truth that he didn’t return the ball. Houston handed over 20 minutes in a interval that extends from the top of the primary half within the second half, and not using a turnover. Generally, Houston has turned the ball solely 5 instances and had twice as many factors in paint than volunteers.
Loss in Tennessee continues a Remaining 4 drought that continues over 26 appearances on the event. Solely byu (31 years previous), Xavier (29) and Missouri (28 years previous) went extra to the NCAA event for males, with out going to the top 4. The ugly mode continued the string was magnificently summarized by this CBS digital camera of a dissatisfied tennessee fan within the second half.
Houston was the final time ultimately 4 in 2021
The 12 main champions make their second ultimate look in Kelvin Sampson’s mandate and ultimately broke like a seed no. 1. Houston was a seed no. 1 in every of the final three NCAA tournaments, however was eradicated in Candy 16 each in 2024 and in 2023.
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However this workforce from Houston was a simpler offensive than the 2 earlier, though there was a really shut name in Candy 16. Cougars wanted a final second for Milos Uzan, in an entrance recreation to cross on no. four Purdue and keep away from a 3rd proper output within the third spherical.
There was no such drama on Sunday. Tennessee has by no means obtained Houston’s management in distinctive figures within the second half, and Emanuel Sharp made positive to quench some hope of Tennessee within the final six minutes. Three-Pointers from the again from Sharp provided Houston a bonus of 14 factors, with four:42 to go a Three-pointer by Mylik Wilson, within the subsequent possession, eradicated the sport properly. It was a suitcase appropriate for the sport for a workforce main the school basketball to just a little beneath 40% behind the arc.
Houston will in all probability be a subdog in opposition to Duke on the finish of 4, however Cougars presents an interesting match in opposition to the workforce that has been probably the most dominant within the NCAA event. Houston has given up the least factors on the match of any workforce within the school basketball and has athletes to match Cooper Flagg and Blue Devils.