Houston coach Kelvin Sampson said Friday's Sweet 16 game against Duke would have been 'a totally different story' had star Jamal Shead not left with a first-half ankle injury.
"He's the heart and soul of this team," Sampson said."We don't have another Jamal. He was the best player on the floor tonight. He's been the best player on the floor every game we played this year except a few.The Cougars, the top seed in the South Region, played without Shead for much of their Sweet 16 loss to fourth-seededHe didn't return to the game, watching the second half from the bench as Houston lost 54-51.
"We were in a position to win the game without Jamal," Sampson said."With Jamal, it's a totally different story, but that's neither here nor there, is it? "It doesn't feel like a fair fight. You would have to take maybe two of theirs to equal one of Jamal. That's how good he was. He's a first-team All American. You don't have another one of those. You don't have the best defensive player in the Big 12. You don't have a guy that made all the big shots at the end."
Almost echoing Sampson, Duke coach Jon Scheyer said,"Shead is the ultimate competitor and winner. There's no replacement for him." Sampson said he believed the Cougars were good enough to reach the Final Four but for injuries. The Cougars lost guards
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