By ROB ROSE
Houston hoops fans got a bit of good news when head coach Kelvin Sampson spoke to reporters on Wednesday.
Sampson said that Houston senior guard Marcus Sasser will be a game-time decision for Thursday’s first round game against No. 16 seed Northern Kentucky.
Sasser also told reporters he felt good during Wednesday’s practice and was upbeat about his chances to play when asked about his status.
“I should be,” Sasser said. “It’s still (a) game-time decision, but right now I’m confident about it.”
The senior guard injured his groin during the American Athletic Conference semifinal game on Saturday vs. Cincinnati. Sasser sat out the championship game on Sunday, which Houston lost to Memphis.
Sasser was an AP first team All-America player this season and earned AAC Player of the Year honors. He averaged 17 points per game with three assists game and three rebounds per game.
The No. 1-seeded Cougars are favored by 18 points despite Sasser’s speculative status and would be expected to win even without him available.
Freshman guard Terrance Arceneaux got his first start this in Sasser’s place against Memphis and scored nine points in 35 minutes.
Junior guards Jamal Shead and Tramon Mark played well without Sasser. Shead scored 16 points with four assists and Mark added 10 points and eight rebounds.
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