Milos Uzan was the third option on the drawn-up situation, but big man JoJo Tugler’s instincts made all the difference to advance the Cougars.

With 2.8 seconds left, Houston's execution provided another example of how Sampson’s mind calms in hectic moments to find simple solutions.

Kelvin Sampson was concerned with Friday's late tip-off time and a game that stretched into the early hours of Saturday morning. He was less concerned about Tennessee afterward.