SAN ANTONIO — A breakdown of the national semifinal between the University of Houston and Duke:
UH vs. Duke: Milos Uzan vs. Tyrese Proctor
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Uzan, a transfer from Oklahoma, had the herculean task of replacing All-American point guard Jamal Shead from last year’s team that reached the Sweet 16. After a rough start, Uzan has meshed well as the only offseason addition to the starting lineup, emerging not only as a facilitator (his 3.09 assist-to-turnover ratio is 10th nationally) but a playmaker (game-winning layup against Purdue). With three projected lottery picks on the roster, Proctor, a junior from Australia, doesn’t get as much attention. But he produces. During a three-game stretch against Louisville, Mount St. Mary’s and Baylor, Proctor made 20 3-pointers and added 17 points in the Blue Devils’ Elite Eight win against Alabama. He’s shooting 64% (16-of-25) from beyond the arc in the tournament. His perimeter defense was on display as he helped limit Alabama star Mark Sears to six points on 2-of-12 shooting.
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UH vs. Duke: L.J. Cryer vs. Sion James
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He might only be 6-foot-1, but Cryer does nothing but make big shots — and win. He can get hot in a hurry and is the best 3-point shooter in the Final Four at 42%. Cryer had some of his biggest moments in big games this season, scoring 30 against Alabama in November and 30 in the second round against Gonzaga. He is trying to become the first player in NCAA history to win a national title at two different schools after winning as a freshman at Baylor in 2021. Duke coach Jon Scheyer calls James the “ultimate connector” for the Blue Devils with his ability to do just about anything. James averages 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists and shoots 41.7% from 3. The 6-foot-6 grad guard is familiar with UH, going 0-7 against the Cougars in four seasons at Tulane.
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UH vs. Duke: Emanuel Sharp vs. Kon Knueppel
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Part of the Cougars’ talented backcourt, Sharp is one of the top 3-point shooters in the country. His quick release makes him tough to defend and he also can drive the lane for layups while drawing contact as 87.6-percent free-throw shooter. He was the voted Most Outstanding Player of the Big 12 tournament and Midwest Region. While Cooper Flagg has been referred to as Batman, Knueppel is the perfect Robin. The 6-foot-7 wing is dangerous from 3-point range (40.1%) and is an ultra-tough defender. He averaged 21 points at the AAC tournament and followed with 20.5 points in two wins at the East Region.
UH vs. Duke: J’Wan Roberts vs. Cooper Flagg
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Roberts, a sixth-year power forward, brings a ton of postseason experience. And he’s a winner with a school-record 148. This is the second Final Four appearance for Roberts, who was a reserve on the ’21 team. For the Cougars to have a chance, Roberts, who averages 10.7 points and team-high 6.3 rebounds, will need to be at his best on both ends of the court. Flagg has lived up to the hype. The 6-foot-9 freshman was voted consensus All-American, is the favorite for every major national player of the year award and is the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Yes, the Cougars have their work cut out. Flagg averages 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists. His biggest stride has arguably been as a perimeter shooter.
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UH vs. Duke: Joseph Tugler vs. Khaman Maluach
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While the injury to Shead was significant, coach Kelvin Sampson said the broken foot to Tugler — just weeks before the start of the postseason — was a “big blow” to the Cougars’ postseason run last season. Only a sophomore, Tugler moved into the starting lineup in early December and has been a defensive menace. With a 7-foot-6 wingspan, Tugler can rebound (5.9 per game) and create havoc inside with an average 2.3 blocked shots per game, which ranks third in the Big 12. Along with Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Tugler is a finalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. A 7-foot-2 freshman from South Sudan, Maluach averaged 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in the last two games of the East Region. With a 7-foot-5 wingspan, Maluach’s strength is as a rim-protector. He’s a lob threat (his 76 dunks rank fourth on Duke’s single-season list) and does plenty of damage on the offensive boards.
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