1 week Ago By Zeno Jo
Houston came up just short against Florida in the final moments of the national championship game, with Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp at the center of two costly turnovers. Sharp, with 26 seconds left and his team down by one, turned over the ball under the Florida basket. The following Gators possession saw that lead stretch to two, meaning a three would have won the game.
With 19 seconds on the clock, the ball was in Sharp's hands once again, but Florida's length and size gave the 6-foot-3 guard problems as he went up for a three-pointer. He was forced to dribble while in the air for the shot, and, by rule, could not touch the ball again. A costly turnover.
A scramble for the ball followed, and the Gators did just enough to protect their two-point lead to lift their first national championship since 2007. FLORIDA WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP pic.twitter.
com/iklwOE6dzC Sharp was consoled by teammates and Florida star Walter Clayton Jr. after the final buzzer. Walter Clayton, in the midst of the celebration, just came over to give an inconsolable Emanuel Sharp a hug.
The two grew up in Florida about an hour from each other. pic.twitter.
com/ZYFQoMlbzf Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp "My heart breaks for Emanuel Sharp right now," CBS Sports analyst Jon Rothstein said . Sharp scored eight points in a night that only one Houston player scored in double digits. "This is the dark side of the NCAA Tournament," he said.
"Inconsolable after that final play." MORE: Houston's Milos Uzan suggests Florida is similar to in-state team Cougars defeated by 15 in preseason Who is Bucky McMillan? Meet the longtime high school head coach now at the helm of Texas A&M basketball Highly-ranked portal guard makes shock move closer to home, turning down several Power Five programs.
