Heartbreaker for Houston
Michigan’s last-second shot spells end of the line for Devin Davis and UH
The Cougars fall to Michigan on Jordan Poole’s 3-pointer at the buzzer, ending their dreams of a Final Four.
WICHITA, Kan. — Coach Kelvin Sampson paused to compose himself after a buzzer-beater ended one of the University of Houston’s best seasons in a decade.
“Sports is a great metaphor for life sometimes,” Sampson said. “It’s not always fair.”
Michigan freshman Jordan Poole hit a long 3-pointer at the buzzer, denying the sixth-seeded Cougars a trip to the Sweet 16 with a 64-63 loss Saturday night at Intrust Bank Arena.
The third-seeded Wolverines (30-7) advance to the Sweet 16 and will play the North CarolinaTexas A&M winner on Thursday at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
UH (27-8) ended its best season since the Phi Slama Jama days of the early 1980s but missed a chance to lock up the game in the closing seconds.
“For 39 minutes, 57 seconds, I thought we were the better team,” Sampson said.
Add this to Houston’s list of NCAA Tournament heartbreakers. The last time the Cougars lost on a buzzer-beater in the NCAA Tournament was on Lorenzo Charles’ put-back dunk as North Carolina State upset the topranked Cougars in the 1983 national championship game.
“When you look at how those last possessions unfolded, we had every chance to put the game away,” Sampson said. Free-throw misses costly
Devin Davis made a pair of free throws to put Houston ahead 6261 with 44 seconds left. Davis had made all eight of his free throws entering the final minute but missed on three of his last four attempts, including both with 3.6 seconds left.
Michigan’s Moe Wagner (12 points) grabbed the rebound on the second miss, and the Wolverines quickly called a timeout to set up for one last play.
Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (12 points) took the inbounds pass, drove across midcourt and found Poole, who was tightly guarded by Corey Davis Jr., on the wing for the gamewinner.
Poole ran down the court as teammates mobbed him, while a stunned Devin Davis was sprawled on the court with his face down.
“These kids have done nothing but fight their hearts out,” Sampson said. “We’re a free throw or missed shot from going to the Sweet 16. That’s how close it was.”
Devin Davis had 17 points and seven rebounds in his final collegiate game.
“There is no way we were even in the game without Devin,” Sampson said.
Rob Gray, the hero of the Cougars’ first-round victory over San Diego State, finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds in his final collegiate game. He ends his career with 1,710 points — an American Athletic Conference record.
The were 12 ties and 17 lead changes in the game. A pivotal moment came with 5:41 left and UH ahead 51-46. Charles Matthews hit a 3-pointer. The Cougars’ Wes VanBeck, playing in his first game since breaking his left hand in late February, was called for a foul, and Jon Teske made both free throws for a five-point swing.
“You know, I feel like we had the game won, gave ourselves a chance,” Gray said. “I try to view things from an optimistic standpoint. I’m just thankful God let us get this far.” Game close all the way
Michigan made eight free throws down the stretch to take a 57-54 lead when Armoni Brooks tied the game with a 3-pointer.
In a game featuring two of the nation’s top defensive teams, there was little separation, with the biggest lead by either team six points.
The Wolverines missed their first seven shots and went nearly six minutes without a field goal to begin the game. Gray did not hit his first field goal until eight minutes into the game before getting hot. Gray’s 62 points are the most for a player in his first two NCAA Tournament games since Davidson’s Stephen Curry (70).
Despite a distinct size disadvantage, Houston had a 41-38 edge on rebounds and held Michigan to 35.6 percent shooting.
“It’s a tough loss. We shouldn’t have lost like this,” UH forward Breaon Brady said.