.png&width=48&height=48&type=webp)
University of Houston
33-4,19-1Big 12
#22/22 (4) Purdue
24-12,13-7Big Ten
#2/2 Men's Basketball Pushes Past Purdue, Advance to Elite Eight
3/28/2025 1:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Uzan drains career-high six treys, scores game-winning bucket
Houston led 56-46 with just under eight minutes remaining but made only one field goal from there until Uzan's tiebreaking bucket. He inbounded the ball from the baseline to sophomore forward Joseph Tugler, who threw a bounce pass back to Uzan, and the 6-foot-4 junior took it to the rim.
Coach Kelvin Sampson's Cougars (33-4) advanced to the Elite Eight for the third time in five years after falling in the Sweet 16 as a top seed in the previous two editions of March Madness. They'll take the nation's longest winning streak, 16 games, into Sunday's Midwest Region final against No. 2 seed Tennessee.
Houston, the Big 12 regular-season and tournament champion, became the fourth No. 1 seed to reach the Elite Eight. The Cougars haven't lost since Feb. 1 and won this time at Lucas Oil Stadium, where their 2021 tourney run ended with a loss in the Final Four to eventual national champion Baylor.
Uzan scored 22 points and junior guard Emanuel Sharp had 17.
Fletcher Loyer scored 16 points, Trey Kaufman-Renn had 14 and Big Ten player of the year Braden Smith added seven points and 15 assists to lead Purdue (24-12). Smith assisted on all 11 second-half baskets for last year's national runner-up, which played in front of a friendly crowd about an hour's drive from its campus in West Lafayette.
Houston appeared on the verge of disaster when Kaufman-Renn scored on a dunk and then blocked Cryer's shot with 1:17 to go, leading to Camden Heide's 3 that tied the score at 60 with 35 seconds left.
Sampson called timeout to set up the final play, but Uzan missed a turnaround jumper and Tugler's tip-in rolled off the rim and out of bounds. The Cougars got one more chance after a replay review confirmed the ball went off of Purdue, and Uzan took over from there.
Smith's half-court heave was an airball at the buzzer, giving this March Madness a rare dramatic finish in a tough, physical contest with players repeatedly hitting the floor.
Sharp had a scoring flurry early in the second half to give Houston some separation. His 3-pointer at the 16:14 mark made it 40-32. After Purdue trimmed the deficit to four, Uzan made two 3s to give Houston a 10-point lead.
UP NEXT• With Friday's win, Houston advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for the seventh time in school history.
• The Cougars face #6/6 (2) Tennessee inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis., on Sunday.
• That game will tip off at 1:20 p.m. CT, and can be seen on CBS. It can be heard on 950 AM KPRC, Varsity Network app and Westwood One.
BUY TICKETS
Current season-ticket holders can renew their season tickets now through April 30 by clicking here and logging into their accounts.
Non-season ticket holders interested in purchasing season tickets are invited to place their names on the Season Ticket Wait List by clicking here.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Men's Basketball by supporting Linking Coogs – UH's NIL collective – and by joining the 50-50 Club, which provides financial support directly to Houston Men's Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered Jordan Brand team apparel, invitations to exclusive events, regular updates about the program and much more.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
