Following No. 1 Houston's thrilling 67-59 road win over UCF on Wednesday, head coach Kelvin Sampson threw a little shade at the faithful that packed Addition Financial Arena in Orlando.
Speaking with reporters after the game, Sampson seemed disappointed over the excitement level of the UCF crowd.
"UCF has had some awesome crowds when we've been coming here. I didn't think tonight was one of them," Sampson said via Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel and Tribune. "We've been here where the crowds have been louder."
If the UCF fanbase didn't bring the fight, the team on the court did. The Knights not only stuck with Houston throughout Wednesday's contest but, for a time, looked primed for an upset.
Houston didn't gain the lead until 11:52 of the second half when they went up 45-42 after trailing by as many as seven early on. They outscored UCF 22-17 down the stretch, sneaking away with an eight-point win.
Guards Jamal Shead and L.J. Cryer led the way. Shead finished with 16 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals, while Cryer recorded a game-high 25 points, including five three-pointers.
New Conference, Same Result #ForTheCity x #GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/rsUGYAVcG6
— Houston Men's Hoops (@UHCougarMBK) March 7, 2024
Houston grabbing at least a share of the Big 12 title in the program's first season in the conference is an accomplishment by itself. However, the Cougars have played like the undisputed No. 1 team in the nation for a while now.
Since a surprising hiccup in January, when they lost two straight to Iowa State and TCU, Houston has gone 13-1 and won eight straight.
Following Wednesday's victory, the Cougars improved to 27-3 overall and 14-3 in the conference with one more regular season contest remaining on March 9 against No. 14 Kansas.
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