A potential NCAA Tournament-changing injury may have occurred in the first half of the Sweet 16 game between Houston and Duke in Dallas. Big 12 player of the year and the Cougars' best player, point guard Jamal Shead, has left the game after turning his ankle.
On the broadcast, play-by-play man Ian Eagle said the injury "looked severe" and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said Shead was "hardly able to put weight" on his right ankle. Wolfson said that Shead is still being evaluated by doctors but would not return to the game in the first half. According to Wolfson, Shead is "questionable" to return.
Shead was unable to leave the court under his own power as the CBS broadcast showed him leaving the court with the help of the Houston training staff. This would be a potentially devastating blow to the Cougars.
Everything Houston does, on both ends of the floor, revolves around Shead. He averages 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a whopping 6.4 assists per game.
On defense, he averages 2.2 steals per game. He's certainly one reason why the Cougars are the best defensive team in the nation. Since he left the game, Duke is on a 15-8 run to take a one-point lead at the half.
Shead is one of four finalists for the Naismith Player of the Year Award along with Zach Edey of Purdue, Dalton Knecht of Tennessee, and R.J. Davis of North Carolina. Needless to say, if he is unable to return to this game, it could change the course of the entire tournament, not only for Houston but for every team still alive in the field.
Keep it here for more updates on Shead as they become available from CBS or the Houston Cougars.