The Houston Cougars will get their star player on Saturday second round game vs. Auburn Tigers.
Marcus Sasser, Houston’s leading scorerAccording to the stadium report, the minute limit will start on Saturday.
Houston Cougars guard Marcus Sasser (0) celebrates a 3-pointer during the game against the Tulane Green Wave at Fertitta Center on February 22, 2023 in Houston. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Sasser injured his hip in the AAC Tournament and did not play in the Cougars’ championship game loss to the Memphis Tigers.
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On Thursday, Sasser played but appeared aggravates the injury 14 minutes into the first half against No. 16 Northern Kentucky.
Sasser, who averaged 16.7 points, said Friday he will play Saturday against the Razorbacks.
“I will play 100%. It’s not a game-time decision,” Sasser told Fox26 on Friday. “I’m going to train today, train tomorrow and be ready.
Houston Cougars’ Marcus Sasser (0) looks to shoot during the first half during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at Legacy Arena at BJCC on March 16, 2023 in Birmingham, Ala. (Photos by Andy Hancock/NCAA via Getty Images)
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“You can re-injure it,” he added. “You’re going to make it worse again, but that’s not what I’m thinking. I’m just saying my prayers. I just have to go out there and try to play as hard as I can.”
Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson told reporters On Friday, he will leave it up to Sasser and Houston’s training staff to decide whether to play.
Houston quarterback Marcus Sasser carries the ball during the first half of the NCAA Tournament first round game against Northern Kentucky in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, March 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
“I deal with his injury like I deal with any child’s injury we’ve had. … I’m not making any decisions,” Sampson said, according to ESPN. “Why did you play it?” people said. I didn’t do that. As long as he’s healthy, I’ll play him. The coach thinks he’s going, and the kid thinks he’s going. I trust Marcus… if Marcus gets hurt, he says, ‘Coach, I’ll take it.’ t go,’ and then I don’t play it. If he’s out there and can play, then he can play. So he’ll play as many minutes as possible tomorrow night. I don’t know how many minutes he will play. minutes, but it depends on Marcus.
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“He’s our best player, I know that. But I don’t treat him like anyone else if someone gets hurt. I treat them the same way.”
The #1 seed Cougars and #9 seed Auburn Tigers tip off in Birmingham, Alabama at 7:10 PM ET.
