DUKE’ Super Star accused of pregnant girlfriend’s murder returned to Nashville…
There’s a reason for the Cougars’ success to this point, and it’s all on head coach Kelvin Sampson, whom players revealed the true degree of his strict discipline.
Blue Devils have been synonymous with March Madness almost to the point that Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s teams over the last four decades were virtual locks for a Final Four run.
On Friday, inside American Airlines Center, the Houston Cougars men’s basketball program isn’t facing “Coach K,” but they’re indeed facing a brand.
Krzyzewski retired after his 13th Final Four appearance in 2022.
Just as storied are the Coogs, who have six Final Four appearances to their name and a legacy that includes Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, and Elvin Hayes. However, they lack what the Blue Devils earned five times in the Krzyzewski era – a national championship.
And to add more suspense, Friday’s 8:39 p.m. tip-off will be the moment two teams who have never faced each other finally square off, with an Elite Eight spot on the line.
Squaring up Duke
Jon Scheyer, formerly a Blue Devils recruit and later Krzyzewski’s assistant, succeeded the coaching legend in 2022, debuting in the March Madness tournament with just a first-round victory. This season, the No. 4 Blue Devils have improved from the previous year, boasting five players who averaged double-digits in scoring.
Seven-foot sophomore center Kyle Filipowski is the team’s leading scorer and rebounder and could cause problems for a Coogs team that got into foul trouble against Texas A&M last Sunday.
Duke is a respectable 42nd in the nation in offense and 32nd in defense. The Blue Devils are also 11th in point differential.
Of course, Houston outranks Duke in defense and point differential at first and third, respectively.
Houston fearless ahead of Sweet 16
“We’re not playing a name,” Cougars star Emanuel Sharp said, making it clear he respects Duke and its tradition.
But the UH is hardly in awe of the Blue Devils.
The Cougars worked too hard to focus on anything but the opportunity to win and advance to the Elite Eight.
“I feel like we do what we do day in and day out every day,” All-American guard Jamal Shead said. “And we follow Coach (Kelvin) Sampson, and I think that’s the real reason we’re here.”
The Cougars belief in one another might be at an all-time high after fighting through the OT test against the Aggies in the second round.
“Having that confidence, that trust in each other. That trust in each other just to finish the game,” Houston forward J’Wan Roberts said.
