Duke reaches Elite eight as Houston's Shead leaves with ankle injury.

As the clock wound down late Friday night inside the American Airlines Center, contrasting scenes unfolded on either side of the floor. On one side, jubilation erupted as Duke players exchanged high-fives, their faces beaming with triumph after their stunning 54-51 victory over top-seeded Houston propelled them to their 24th Elite Eight appearance in program history. Amidst the celebration, a Duke staff member delivered an exuberant chest bump to overwhelm Jared McCain.

However, on the opposite side of the court, there was profound heartache. Houston's guard Emanuel Sharp sank to his knees at midcourt, his season abruptly ending with the devastating loss. Guard LJ Cryer stood with bowed head and drooping hands, while teammate Jamal Shead, sidelined by an ankle injury in the first half and unable to return, sat forlornly on the bench, his head buried in his arms, powerless to witness Duke's decisive victory in the closing moments.

In the realm of basketball, there must always be a winner and a loser. Yet, Duke's triumph in the Sweet 16 under Jon Scheyer's leadership carried a bittersweet undertone, marred by Shead's absence on the sidelines. This unfortunate turn of events served as a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of the game, overshadowing an otherwise brilliant clash between two formidable teams.




Shead's injury, which forced him to the sidelines, ignited a 13-6 run for Duke to conclude the first half. Following the injury and the loss of their lead, Houston never regained control of the game. Shead was observed using a stabilization scooter during halftime and underwent testing, revealing a Grade 4 sprain.

Houston appeared poised to celebrate victory after 40 minutes of intense basketball, initiating the game with a flurry that immediately put Duke on the defensive and deflated the atmosphere in Dallas. With an 8-0 run at the game's outset, Duke seemed disoriented, as if it had just absorbed a powerful blow to the jaw.

Nevertheless, Duke responded with the composure and resilience characteristic of a championship-caliber team, overcoming the early deficit and prevailing against a Houston squad hampered by injuries, yet considered one of the nation's top three teams when fully healthy.

Many members of this Duke roster experienced the disappointment of last year's NCAA Tournament exit against Tennessee, which served as a turning point and motivation for this season's campaign. Scheyer frequently reminded his team of this setback, emphasizing the importance of redemption.

Following a physical defeat at the hands of Tennessee last season, Duke finds profound validation in securing a Sweet 16 victory this year against a formidable Houston team renowned for its toughness and physicality.

As Duke swiftly prepares for a matchup against ACC rival NC State in the South Regional final on Sunday, questions linger. Their previous encounter in the ACC Tournament saw NC State eliminate Duke, marking the start of an impressive winning streak for the Wolfpack. However, Duke's transformation over the past weeks sets it apart from the team that faltered in previous seasons, positioning it to contend for another shot at the NCAA championship. Yet, they face a formidable challenge in NC State, a team that has demonstrated its capability of ending Duke's title aspirations.

Source CBS Sports : Duke overtakes No. 1 seed Houston to make Elite Eight after Cougars' star Jamal Shead leaves with ankle injury