Tommy Lloyd knew exactly what to expect from Houston, and the Arizona head coach used the word "effort" three times in his first answer about the Cougars.
The AT&T Center was the site of what hit the Cats on Thursday night.
Houston scored the first basket of the game, never trailed and pulled away for a 72-60 win over top-seeded Arizona and a spot in the Elite Eight.
Kyler Edwards hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 points for Houston, while Jamal Shead led the way with 21 points and six assists. Arizona's stars struggled. Bennedict Mathurin had 15 points, but only shot 4-for-14. Azuolas Tubelis went 0-for-8 from the field and Christian Koloko went 2-for-6 after scoring 28 points in the second-round win over TCU.
Arizona, which ranked near the top of the nation in both pace and offensive efficiency, never got into a rhythm in the first half. The style and physical nature of Houston made them uncomfortable on nearly every possession. The Arizona team was kept in check for most of the first half by the 10 point lead the Cougars took less than six minutes into the game. The deficit was six points going into the break.
The basketball team came out in the second half playing more fluid basketball and more focused on the defensive end. Arizona wouldn't get any closer after a Dalen Terry 3-pointer cut Houston's lead to two. Arizona looked deflated after Houston responded with a 10-2 run highlighted by 3-pointers.
Houston would respond with a big shot if Arizona looked to make another run. Shead hit a pair of free throws after Mathurin hit a 3 to cut the lead to three. In the final minutes, Arizona was down by six, but Mathurin turned the ball over and Edwards hit a 3 at the other end to win the game.
Houston had more second-chance points (19-13), significantly more points off turnovers (24-6) and even outshot Arizona (nine made 3s to Arizona's seven).
Houston's reputation has been built on defense and aggressiveness, both at both ends of the floor. One of the elite defensive teams in the country, but they are also an elite offensive rebound unit and outwork teams on the glass. Opponents know how to win, but it is difficult to prepare for their intensity.
On Wednesday, Lloyd said the same thing.
He said that he was impressed with how their players did what they were told to do. Every effort area is maxed out. They are well-drilled on offense. They know what they want to do. They know where they are coming from, and they do an amazing job of offensive rebound. The effort and energy they play with is almost unparalleled.
Lloyd knew exactly what to expect from Houston on Thursday; the first-year head coach and his team just couldn't get into a rhythm or get out of their comfort zone.
It has been all Houston this season, and now they are just 40 minutes away from the Final Four.
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