Houston coach Kelvin Sampson called a clever baseline inbounds play that led to a game-winning shot in their 62-60 victory over No. 4 Purdue in the NCAA tournament.
With 2.8 seconds left, Milos Uzan inbounded the ball to Joseph Tugler, who immediately recognized that Braden Smith had vacated his spot guarding the inbounder. Tugler dropped a quick pass back to Uzan, who leaped unimpeded to the basket and laid in the shot.
The play capped a 22-point night for Uzan and gave Sampson one of the signature wins of his career. “That was beautiful,” Uzan said. The winning shot set up Houston’s matchup with No. 2 Tennessee on Sunday.
Houston squandered a 10-point lead in the final eight minutes, but recovered to tie the score before the game-winning play. An official review confirmed the ball belonged to Houston, giving them a chance to set up the play.
The team’s assistant coach, Kellen Sampson, had initially considered an alternative inbounds play but ultimately chose the baseline play that featured dynamic guard L.J. Cryer as a decoy. Tugler started the chain reaction by setting a screen on Purdue’s C.J. Cox, allowing Uzan to make the game-winning shot.
The team’s background and experience played a role in the play’s success. “Nobody on our team has played on outdoor courts more than Jo,” Kellen Sampson said of Tugler. The play showcased Houston’s resilience and ability to win games despite struggles with their offense.
Source: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/44452149/houston-makes-elite-eight-beautiful-last-second-play