Miami's Pack vs Houston's Sasser, a Classic NCAA Tournament PG Matchup
It has been written that the NCAA Tournament comes down to guard play.
If that’s truly the case, Miami’s Nijel Pack versus Houston’s Marcuss Sasser will be the primary battle to watch.
Here are the season averages for the two talented point guards, followed by key moments this season, Sasser’s injury, and how the two players make impacts for their respective teams.
Nijel Pack, 6-0, 185, Redshirt Sophomore, Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence Central)
Points: 13.4
Rebounds: 2.8
Assists: 2.4
Steals: 1.0
Turnovers: 1.7
FG Shooting: 43.6%
3-point FG Shooting: 39.0%
Free Throws: 88.9%
Marcus Sasser, 6-2, 195, Fifth-Year Senior, Dallas (Texas) Red Oak
Points: 16.9
Rebounds: 2.8
Assists: 3.1
Steals: 1.6
Turnovers: 1.5
FG Shooting: 44.1%
3-point FG Shooting: 38.8%
Free Throws: 84.4%
Trends - Nijel Pack
Pack’s season high in points was 24 points during the Feb. 18 home win over Wake Forest, 96-87. That was immediately after he scored 23 points at North Carolina on Feb. 13, and 22 points versus Louisville on Feb. 11.
In short, when Pack gets it going, he can score in bunches. His last three games look like this:
March 10 versus Duke: 11 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist (33 minutes)
March 17 versus Drake: 21 points, 4 rebounds and no assist (35 minutes)
March 19 versus Indiana: 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists (32 minutes)
Trends - Marcus Sasser
It must first be noted that he’s now allegedly healthy after suffering a groin injury late in the season. He missed considerable time versus Northern Kentucky during the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Sasser did not, however, look worse for wear versus Houston’s second round opponent Auburn. Assuming the injury has been placed behind him, Houston will be full-go against Miami.
That’s needed as Sasser has been by far Houston’s most consistent scoring threat, and one that is the go-to player for a creative play when the shot clock winds down.
His best scoring game came on Jan. 11 against USF, as Sasser scored 31 points. He also recently dropped 30 on East Carolina on March 10. From that game, Sasser scored half of the Cougar’s points during the 60-48 victory.
Here were the statistics for his prior three games.
Note: Sasser’s injury caused him to miss Houston’s AAC championship game versus Memphis, and limited action in two more.
March 11 versus Cincinnati: 4 points, 2 rebounds and no assist (9 minutes)
March 16 versus Northern Kentucky: 5 points and 2 rebounds and no assist (14 minutes)
March 18 versus Auburn: 22 points, 1 rebound, and 2 assists (31 minutes)
Style of Play - Nijel Pack
Speed to blow by defenders or jump into a passing lane, Pack's ability to run often helped him make big plays. Not many college plays possessed the burst that Pack displayed this season. That will be important versus Houston.
Also important to mention that Pack knows when to defer to teammates, i.e. letting them take shots when there’s a matchup to exploit. For instance, Indiana did not have a good defensive counter to ACC Player of the Year and guard Isaiah Wong, or second team All-ACC guard Jordan Miller.
During the second half, Pack shot far less than he did in the first half. The result was Wong and Miller getting more looks – many of them great shots at or near the rim – that helped the Hurricanes pull away down the stretch. Wong finished with 27 points and Miller with 19 points.
As the above tweet indicated, Miami’s ability to play team basketball – aided by Pack being unselfish with his shot selection – helped the Canes crush the Hoosiers during the final stretch. Miami outscored Indiana 38-22 during the final 13-plus minutes. As for Pack’s style of play, that’s where the matchup with Sasser becomes fun to discuss.
He’s a threat to shoot from beyond the arc at just about any time, but Pack has been hot and cold during the prior three contests. Overall, 6 of 21 from 3-point land, for 28.6%. That’s not going to be good enough against an elite defensive team like Houston, led by Sasser at the point.
Miami needs Pack to have one of those games, where he’s truly red-hot from downtown. Doing that against Sasser will be a true challenge.
He deferred to teammates during portions of the IU game. That may not be as easy against a much more consistent Houston defensive unit, a squad that prides itself on defensive intensity. The effort showed itself throughout the 2022-2023 season with incredible statistics. Here's a look at Houston's leader.
Style of Play - Marcus Sasser
Clutch. That’s first to note. He will make the steal, the pass, the shot, whatever that’s needed for the Cougars; Sasser has been a big-moment player that’s delivered several times.
Down by 10 at halftime to Auburn, Sasser made it known that he was the best player on the court during the final 20 minutes.
His 3-ball with 16:31 remaining cut the lead for Auburn down to 45-43. Sasser’s next 3-point make put Houston up 46-45 over Auburn with 12:57 to play.
Sasser’s final 3-point make of the game was the dagger. With 1:42 to play, he essentially finished off the comeback win by placing Houston up 75-64. Here's a look at Sasser with a reel of plays.
Just as important as his shooting, Sasser will play tough man-to-man defense. He’s not going to just allow Miami to swing the basketball from each side of the court and look for shots; he’s often proved that he can stifle an opposing offense by taking away passing lanes. Against Pack, that’s a far bigger challenge, but Sasser will not back down to any player.
Overall, this will be a great duel between Pack and Sasser. Which point guard plays better could determine whether Miami or Houston moves on to the Elite 8.
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