If things go according to plan for Houstonians this Sunday, the city will be riding a familiar surge of adrenaline. By the time the Cougars are introduced during pregame festivities at the Fertitta Center, the metropolis could already be basking in the glow of the Houston Texans punching their first-ever ticket to an AFC Championship.
On the hardwood, the momentum feels just as real.
Riding a 10-game winning streak of their own, the Houston Cougars welcome Bobby Hurley and the Arizona State Sun Devils into the Bayou City. Arizona State nearly shook the college basketball landscape midweek, flirting with an upset of No. 1 Arizona Wildcats, and now turns its attention to No. 7 Houston in a building that rarely offers mercy.
For Tim Healey, the night carries its own milestone. In his 28th season calling games for Arizona State, Sunday marks his first-ever broadcast in Houston.
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AllSportsPeople asked Healey about the near miss in Tucson and the challenge ahead.
“There are no morale victories, of course,” Healey said. “But the Sun Devils demonstrated that in that environment against the number one team in the country on their home floor that they can go anywhere and be successful.”
Healey pointed to quality wins over the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners, along with a rally from 19 points down against Santa Clara Broncos, coached by former ASU boss Herb Sendek.
“The key for them is needing to hit shots,” Healey said. “That’s the blueprint. The first 11 games of the season, they did. Then they endured a five-game stretch where they only shot 20 percent from three-point range. Against Arizona, they went 11 for 25.”
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When asked about facing Houston on its home floor, the praise came easily.
“I’ve admired Houston and their approach,” Healey said. “There’s no chirping, no trash talk. They’re just grinders and play the game hard and guard you like crazy. They play the right way.”
Sunday marks the beginning of three straight nationally televised games for the Cougars. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CT.
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