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Adam Teicher, ESPN Staff Writer
DALLAS – Kelvin Sampson said there is no player in the country more valuable to Houston than Jamal Shehed. Shihed is the Big 12 Player of the Year, a first-team All-American and Houston's best defender.
“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 in every game except for a few games we've had this year.”
“His leadership, toughness and ability to make everyone better helped us get the No. 1 seed.”
The Cougars, the top seed in the South, played without Shihed for most of their Sweet 16 loss to fourth-seeded Duke. Shihed played 13 minutes in the first half and scored two points before spraining his ankle.
He did not return to the game, instead watching from the bench during the second half of Houston's 54-51 loss. Duke advances to Sunday's Elite Eight game against North Carolina State.
Sampson said Shead will miss the rest of the tournament even if Houston advances.
“I couldn't put any pressure or walk at all,” Shihed said. “I couldn't go back there. It's a shame it ended the way it did. I wish I could have gone back there and at least participated in the game.”
“I knew that if I had played, it probably would have been a different outcome, or I wish it would have been.”
The Cougars kept the game close, but Emmanuel Sharpe missed a 3-point try in the final minute, nearly sending the game into overtime.
“We were in a position to win the game without Jamal,” Sampson said. “With Jamal, it’s a whole different story, but that’s neither here nor there, right?
“I don't think it's a fair fight. You probably need two of them to match one of Jamal. That's how good he was. He's a first-team All-American. . There's no one else like him.'' The Big 12 doesn't have the best defensive player, and it doesn't have the guy who made all the big shots at the end. ”
Duke coach John Scheier largely agreed with Sampson, saying, “Shead is the ultimate competitor and winner. There's no one to replace him.”
Sampson said he believes the Cougars are good enough to make the Final Four barring injuries. The Cougars lost guards Terrence Arsenault and Joseph Tagler to injuries early in the season.
Instead, Houston failed to reach the Final Four for the second straight season as a No. 1 seed.
“Sometimes it's just God's work. It just wasn't our time,” Sampson said.
