By Alec Millender

Sports Capital Journalism Program

INDIANAPOLIS — In a dominant performance that showcased why they’ve been one of the nation’s toughest teams all year, the Houston Cougars advanced to the Final Four for the first time in four years and the seventh in school history with a 69-50 win over the Tennessee Volunteers. From the opening tip, Houston imposed its will defensively, suffocating Tennessee’s offense and never allowing the Volunteers to find a rhythm.

Houston (34-4) will meet the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday night. For the Cougars, the dominance all started with the tone-setting hustle plays, none bigger than Emanuel Sharp’s tie-up of Chaz Lanier near half court that gave the Cougars possession just 1:07 into the game. “That’s what we do,” said Sharp, who was voted Most Outstanding Player of the regional. “We’re a great defensive team and that’s how we like to set the tone — on the defensive end. When we come out with the right intensity, it sets everything up for the rest of the game.”

Houston’s defense swarmed from start to finish, holding Tennessee to just 28.8% shooting from the field and a cold 17.2% from three-point range. In the first half alone, the Volunteers went 6-for-28 overall and 1-for-15 from beyond the arc, with Houston forcing four turnovers and allowing virtually no clean looks.

Milos Uzan echoed Sharp’s sentiment about throwing the first punch. “The way [Sharp] guards, he got a jump ball early and I feel like that shook them up a little bit,” Uzan said. “It’s super important to keep our foot on their neck, and we did a good job of that.”

Offensively, Houston executed with confidence and poise. Despite Tennessee throwing defensive pressure their way, the Cougars responded with toughness and smart decisions. “When they started pressing us, my message in the huddle was: ‘Be fearless,’” said coach Kelvin Sampson. “’Don’t be afraid to take a big shot, and don’t be afraid to miss it either. What’s the worst that can happen? You miss it.’ But we’re a great offensive rebounding team. A missed shot is much better than a turnover.”

That mentality paid off. Houston only committed one turnover in the first half, while grabbing nine offensive rebounds leading to 19 second-chance points in the game. They outrebounded Tennessee 42-35, outworking the Vols on nearly every 50-50 ball and making hustle a signature part of the win.

Any time Tennessee (30-8) tried to build momentum Houston had a response, whether it was a clutch basket, a second-chance possession, or another defensive stand. The Cougars led for 39:15. In their two games here, they led for 65:52 out of 80 minutes. “This team doesn’t overreact to anything, good or bad,” Sampson said. “They stay even-keeled, and that’s a sign of their maturity and who they are as people.”

Tennessee guard Jordan Gainey pointed to Houston’s physicality and discipline as the difference. “In the second half, we tried to be more aggressive, move the ball side to side, and get downhill,” Gainey said. “But they made it really difficult to get anything easy.”

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes acknowledged that his team was well-prepared, but Houston’s physical inside-out style overwhelmed their more perimeter-oriented game. “We had some good looks we just didn’t make, and that’s part of the game,” Barnes said. “But it’s tough when you can’t get anything inside and can’t put pressure on the rim. They’re an outstanding rebounding team, and those second-chance points hurt us, especially in the first half.”

Sampson also credited the Cougars’ grueling schedule for preparing them for this moment. “Going 19-1 in the Big 12 and 10-0 on the road prepared us for this,” he said. “The Purdue game was kind of like a road game. Tennessee was kind of like a road game, too, with their fans.” Sampson praised his team’s discipline on offensive rebounds, emphasizing how they often used kick-out passes that created what he calls “dagger threes” instead of forcing rushed putbacks. “That gives us another opportunity to make threes—and we believe in those,” he said.

If their performance against Tennessee is any indication, Houston is peaking at the perfect time, with a defense that suffocates, an offense that grinds, and a team-wide mindset built for March.

And April.