The fifth-ranked Houston Cougars will try to capitalize on the uplifting triumph as they head to take on the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Big 12 showdown on Saturday afternoon.
The Cougars (20-3, 7-3 Big 12) bounced back from a defeat at the then-eighth-seeded Kansas with a 79-63 home victory over Oklahoma State on Tuesday night.
“It was a good win,” Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said. “In this league, they’re all great wins because they all count the same. For us, it’s a good bounce-back.”
The Cougars achieved their ninth consecutive season with 20 wins and remained at the top of the fiercely competitive Big 12.
However, the win was not without drama. Sampson was ejected 15 minutes into the second half for disputing with the officials, marking his first ejection in his decade-long tenure at Houston.
Sampson was held back by his players and coaches after departing from his bench and rushing to the opposite end of the court to rebuke the officials for what he perceived as a foul discrepancy and the physical nature of the game. The Cougars were leading by 20 points at the time.
“I have no thoughts,” Sampson said when asked to elaborate. “So, if I say something, answer your question, they fine me $25,000, what part of the $25,000 are you willing to pay? So, don’t ask me silly questions because it’s a $25,000 fine if I tell the truth. So, I can’t, so don’t ask me.”
As for the game, the Cougars regained their form, thanks to 23 points from senior point guard Jamal Shead and 16 from Emanuel Sharp.
Despite Sampson’s dissatisfaction with the officiating, Houston, with Shead contributing 17 first-half points, established a commanding 40-21 lead at halftime and cruised to victory.
“These guys follow (Shead),” Sampson said. “He has such great control of the game. When the ball is in his hands, when the ball is not in his hands.”
“We’ve had some great leaders here. Jamal’s the best leader we’ve had. Our kids respect him because he works hard in practice every day, too, so that gives him credibility.”
This marks Houston’s second visit to Cincinnati this season, following their 66-60 triumph over the Bearcats’ local rival, Xavier, on December 1.
Cincinnati (15-7, 4-5) had a full week to relish one of their most significant victories of the season, a 75-72 win on the road against the then-15th-ranked Texas Tech.
“We had a good mentality against one of the best teams in one of the best environments in college basketball,” outlined Cincinnati coach Wes Miller.
The Bearcats will be seeking another noteworthy victory for their resume, holding away wins against the then-12th-ranked BYU and a home victory over the then-19th-ranked TCU in overtime.
Simas Lukosius led the Bearcats with 16 points against the Red Raiders.
“We’ve been rolling and riding him so hard down the stretch of games,” Miller said of the 6-foot-8 junior. “He’s got a lot on his shoulders to make plays and make shots. He’s had some nights when he’s really done it.”
“He’s had some nights where I know he wishes a few more went down. He’s stayed with it every day and continued to improve defensively.”
Aziz Bandaogo secured his fourth double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) and Dan Skillings Jr. contributed 14 points as Cincinnati recovered from squandering a 10-point lead in the second half to a 69-65 loss against West Virginia.
