Behind the Scenes With a No. 1 UH Team That Just Keeps Winning For Each Other
In Orlando, Florida, Emanuel Sharp employs J’Wan Roberts as a shield, concealing himself behind the towering 6-foot-7 player who carries much of the weight for the top-ranked Houston team, preventing Kelvin Sampson from anticipating the surprise. While the University of Houston’s seasoned 68-year-old basketball coach joyfully dances among his players, Sharp suddenly emerges from behind Roberts and pours a single plastic water bottle over his coach’s head to the cheers of the team. Despite Sampson’s attempt to shield himself with point guard Jamal Shead, Sharp quickly grabs another bottle from the fridge and more players join in, drenching Sampson once again before he can escape.
“I got you! I got you!” Sharp exclaims as Sampson finally manages to flee to the hallway, thoroughly drenched but elated and proud. Shead reflects later on their tradition of soaking the coach after championships, saying, “We had to surprise him a little this time.”
Their mission is successfully executed as this exceptional Houston team, possibly the most resilient and resolute in the program’s history, not only catches their coach by surprise with a water assault akin to a Christopher Nolan movie plot, but also clinches the Big 12 regular season championship – a remarkable feat especially for those who doubted the team’s capabilities under the esteemed coach and within the UH basketball program.
By dominating in the second half to defeat UCF 67-59 in Orlando, the Cougars secure their triumph in America’s most competitive league, ensuring themselves of at least a share of the Big 12 championship with a 14-3 record. Standing at 27-3, they have the opportunity to claim the title outright by triumphing over Kansas on Saturday or by Iowa State falling to Kansas State earlier in the day.
Despite the upcoming decisive game, the Cougars have already etched their names as Big 12 champions in their debut season in the prestigious conference. Shead expresses pride in his teammates for overcoming adversity, injuries, and the demanding coaching of Sampson throughout their journey to success.
From chanting “Big 12 Champs!” in huddles for months to the tangible reality of their achievement, Shead, a standout point guard and potential recipient of the Big 12 Player of the Year award, acknowledges the team’s dedication and hard work in turning their aspirations into reality.
Big 12 Champs! A title that now rings true for everyone associated with Houston basketball.
Kelvin Sampson, after witnessing Houston’s eighth consecutive victory in a league where such winning streaks are deemed improbable, reflects on the remarkable resilience of J’Wan Roberts, a standout player who hails from the Virgin Islands and has established himself as one of the greatest Houston Cougars across all sports.
Acknowledging Roberts’ tenacity, Sampson highlights his toughness, emphasizing that Roberts is unable to clasp or shake hands due to his injuries. The coach, known for his emphasis on grit and resilience, expresses awe at the exceptional fortitude displayed by Roberts.
Reflecting on Roberts’ performance in the game, Sampson notes that the player, who had recently received seven stitches in his right hand, played through the entirety of the match. However, due to the risk of his stitches being compromised, the team had to shift their strategy away from involving Roberts in the second half after he had the ball stripped from him, causing his stitches to be torn.
Kelvin Sampson exits the game impressed by J’Wan Roberts’ unwavering toughness and commitment to the team, despite the challenges he faces due to his recent injury.
“We were concerned that they had reopened.”
These cougars have been rallying, chanting “Big 12 Champs!” together for months. And Jamal Shead, the top point guard in the country and a strong contender for the Big 12 Player of the Year award on Sunday, cannot resist reminiscing about those chants now that the possibility is becoming a reality.
J’Wan Roberts, Bloodied Big 12 Champ
J’Wan Roberts persevered through the latter part of the game, with his right hand, which was largely unusable and bleeding under the black wrap, yet he managed to play every minute of the second half and a total of 38 out of the 40 minutes.
Battling through the pain and bleeding, the team achieved the title of Big 12 Champs.
Additionally, center Ja’Vier Francis overcame a left ankle injury that required urgent attention from John Houston, UH’s associate athletic director for sports medicine, in a back hallway of UCF’s on-campus arena. Not only did Francis return to the game, but he also made significant contributions that turned the tide in Houston’s favor.
Kelvin Sampson commended Ja’Vier’s resilience and performance in the second half, expressing his pride in the team’s overall effort. He also acknowledged his admiration for J’Wan, Mal, and LJ (Cryer) for their contributions.
Sampson, now speaking outside the visitors’ locker room at the Addition Financial Center, reflects on his gratitude for the team and their collective performance. As the post-game celebrations wind down and he prepares for the journey back to Houston, he transitions from the intense presence often seen on TV to a moment of pride and gratitude, emphasizing his appreciation for his team as he nears the conclusion of what may be one of his final coaching seasons.
Outside on the court, Kellen Sampson, the UH assistant coach and proud son who is set to take the reins as head coach when his father Kelvin Sampson eventually retires in the coming years, is embracing Lysa Shead, Tamica Cryer, and any family members of UH players present. Kellen is still amazed by the strong connections his father forms with the players.
Reflecting on the moment, Kellen shares with PaperCity that the team typically refrains from celebrating prematurely at Houston. However, he notes the extraordinary loyalty the players have for Kelvin Sampson, recognizing the mutual love and understanding between them. He explains that the hard work and challenges imposed by his father are all part of a process that leads to significant milestones, such as this recent achievement.
In the midst of this victory, Kellen emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and cherishing the successes along the way. The team’s dedication and willingness to go above and beyond reflect their commitment to the coach and the shared journey they are on.
With a celebration-worthy accomplishment of becoming Big 12 Champs, the team’s success is clearly founded on a resilient and unbreakable bond.
LJ Cryer, the Baylor Transfer, Turned UH Energizer Bunny
During this particular evening, the Cougars secure their victory relying on the stamina and skill of LJ Cryer, who transferred to Houston from the national champion Baylor team. Cryer was taken aback by the intense and rigorous preseason training program orchestrated by Kelvin Sampson and the sports science director, Alan Bishop, upon his arrival. The demanding nature of the conditioning program was unlike anything Cryer had experienced before.
In the game against UCF, Cryer shines by scoring an impressive 25 points, with 19 of those coming in the second half. He excels when others might falter, demonstrating his endurance and determination. Cryer expresses newfound confidence in his abilities, having hit more three-pointers himself (five) than the entire UCF team combined (three).
Kelvin Sampson, serving as the offensive strategist during the second half, continuously designs plays to put the ball in Cryer’s hands, showcasing the immense trust he has in this transfer player who has only been with the team for one season. Sampson acknowledges Cryer’s growth beyond being just a shooter, now recognizing him as a versatile player, playmaker, scorer, and a tough competitor.
Proud of Cryer’s transformation from June to March, Sampson commends his progress and resilience, highlighting him as a contender for the title of the most improved player on the team, despite the notable improvements of other players like Ja’Vier and Emanuel.
Celebrating their Big 12 Championship win, the team’s journey from summer to spring reflects constant growth and determination, with aspirations for continued success.
“Don’t overlook J’Wan’s resilience. He can’t grip your hand. He can’t offer a handshake,” remarked Houston coach Kelvin Sampson about J’Wan Roberts.
Despite battling knee tendinitis, Shead logs 39 minutes and 10 seconds of playtime against UCF, only taking a 50-second breather during the game. Nevertheless, Houston’s star point guard remains determined to secure an outright Big 12 victory without sharing the title. His sights are set on defeating a Kansas team that managed to outpace the Cougars in one game, standing as the sole team to do so in the league.
While the drive to triumph outright and the debate over rest will have to wait for another day, the focus of this moment is on a team that refuses to yield, no matter how many key players succumb to injury along the journey. This Big 12 championship signifies the national prominence of the Houston basketball program, proving to esteemed programs and their supporters that this culture of excellence can seamlessly transition to the nation’s premier conference.
Speaking to PaperCity in an emptying arena, Kellen Sampson emphasizes the validation that this victory brings, showcasing the team’s consistency and resilience on a nightly basis, from the early summer workouts until the season’s culmination.
Amidst celebrations with family, including Jamal Shead basking in the joy with his devoted supporters who have attended all his games at his mother’s insistence, the camaraderie within the team shines through as J’Wan Roberts revels in affectionate embraces despite his physical limitations.
In the hallway, Kelvin Sampson watches his team with immense pride, savoring the moment as they are hailed Big 12 Champions. It’s a season and team that deserve appreciation and celebration, even as their journey continues to etch more history in the making.
Leave a Reply