MEMPHIS, Tenn. — With 17 seconds left in overtime, leading by three, and a trip to the Sweet 16 in the balance, Houston senior walk-on Ryan Elvin stepped to the foul line.
Elvin, who had only played 60 total minutes all season, almost all of them in garbage time, was called into action sooner than expected when a fourth Cougars player fouled out — Jamal Shead, the All-America point guard and Big 12 Player of the Year. Elvin found himself in a crucial moment, with a chance to decide the game from the free-throw line.
He missed the first shot but made the second, securing a four-point lead that was enough for Houston to hold on for a 100-95 victory over Texas A&M in what was arguably the best game of the NCAA Tournament’s opening weekend, highlighted by the most unexpected hero.
“I was shocked he missed one,” Shead said after the game. “He works just as hard as we do, if not harder. He is a pillar of our culture and a player we trust.”
The win propelled the No. 1 seed Cougars to the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive postseason, where they will face No. 4 seed Duke in Dallas on Friday in the South Regional.
“I’m not gonna lie and say I wasn’t nervous. I was pretty nervous,” Elvin admitted, who now stands at 4 of 6 on free throws this season. “That was a testament to the way our program is run. We utilized everyone. It was definitely the biggest free throw of my life by far.”
Elvin’s moment of glory capped off an incredible game with a truly remarkable ending. Despite having control for most of the night and leading throughout the second half, including a 10-point advantage with 1:24 remaining in regulation, Houston faced a dramatic comeback from the No. 9 seed Aggies, who forced overtime with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by forward Andersson Garcia.
BUZZER BEATER TO FORCE OT 🚨🚨🚨#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/mZSqICdiZR
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 25, 2024
Despite ending the game with four starters fouled out, Houston outscored A&M 14-9 in the extra period, achieving a rare feat of winning an NCAA Tournament game with such a disadvantage for the first time since 1987.
“Having four players foul out and still finding a way to win is a perfect record for Houston,” stated Sampson. “This win is one of the most satisfying in all my years of coaching. I am incredibly proud of this group and what they accomplished tonight.”
The foul trouble forced the short-handed Cougars to rely on an already thin bench throughout the game, a situation that seemed dire with an additional five minutes added to the clock.
However, it turned out to be a gritty win for a program known for its toughness under Sampson’s leadership. While Houston’s toughness is usually associated with physicality and defense, Sunday’s game showcased a different kind of toughness — resilience.
“When that shot went in to force overtime, I’m sure most people thought, ‘Houston screwed up, they’re going to lose now,’” Sampson noted. “But that would have been the wrong assumption because our players are built for moments like these.”
From the top of the roster to the bottom, it was a team that fought for each other and for those who were no longer there.
At 68 years old and in his 10th season with Houston, Sampson describes himself as a “perpetual tinkerer.” He spends his days in the office watching film, making practice notes, and going over scouting reports.
“My favorite time is Sunday mornings when nobody’s around, except for one person: Ryan Elvin,” Sampson shared.
Elvin, who joined the program in the same 2020 recruiting class as Shead, is a walk-on from Cedar Ridge High School in Round Rock, Texas. Despite limited playing time, Elvin’s work ethic and tenacity have made him an integral part of the team.
Elvin has been with the team for all 125 wins over the past four seasons. On Sunday, when the fouls started piling up, Elvin was called into action and delivered a crucial performance.
“Ryan is a leader,” Cryer stated. “He showed that he is a significant part of the team and stepped up when needed.”
Elvin’s journey has not been without challenges. In 2021, just before his sophomore season, his father passed away after an extended illness, a loss that deeply affected the program.
He is not the only one facing adversity. Sampson mentioned four key players this season who had to be replaced from the previous year’s roster, including players like Marcus Sasser, a first-round NBA Draft pick, and Reggie Chaney, who tragically passed away last August.
Chaney, described as a tough big man, was a vital part of the team, and his memory continues to inspire the Cougars.
The team’s collective effort and resilience were on full display in Sunday’s game, with players like Shead leading the charge despite challenges and injuries. The Cougars look ahead to facing Duke in the Sweet 16, hoping to continue their success with a culture of toughness and unity.
(Photo of Emanuel Sharp and Ramon Walker Jr.: Petre Thomas / USA Today)