It’s a celebration years in the making. The University of Houston beat Ohio State 74-59 and clinched a spot in the Sweet 16.
The last time the Houston Cougars men’s basketball team went to the Sweet 16 was in the Phi Slama Jama days back in 1984.
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Houston’s win in the second round of the NCAA tournament ensured that every No. 1, 2 and 3 seed will reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in a decade.
“Our defense and our rebounding, our competitiveness, our toughness, have been there most every night. We’re not machines. We’re not perfect. But when you’re 33 and 3 , you’re really good at one thing and that’s winning,” said Coach Kelvin Sampson.
Back in the locker room, a well-earned celebration and water gun fight broke out as the team let loose after the big win.
The team then hopped on a plane and headed back to the Bayou City for a much-needed day off.
“It’s definitely surreal and it’s definitely really a blessing to still be playing. We got to move on from this game. We got a big game coming up this Friday against Kentucky so I’m looking forward to it,” said Galen Robinson Jr.
The Coogs will take on the Kentucky Wildcats Friday in Kansas City.
Corey Davis Jr. had 21 points for the Cougars, a No. 3 seed.
Every 1-, 2- and 3-seed also reached the Sweet 16 in 2009, which was the first time that had happened since the bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. Fourteen of the top 16 seeds will also reach the regional semifinals.