Houston’s 14th-ranked men’s basketball team was on the wrong end of a tough — and controversial — loss at No. 9 Alabama on Saturday, one in which coach Kelvin Sampson and others on his staff did not exhibit model sportsmanship.
Sampson and the Cougars faithful were upset about a non-call on a last-second shot block by Alabama’s JD Davison to preserve the Crimson Tide’s 83-82 victory in Tuscaloosa, Ala. — a play that could have been called goaltending. It was a close call, but the ball appeared to be falling away from the basket and wasn’t above the circle of the rim, which suggests the no-call was correct.
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That said, Sampson was adamant in his postgame interview with reporters that it was a goaltend. Prior to his media availability, a viral image showed him refusing to shake Alabama coach Nate Oats’ hand. Another video showed a Houston assistant and senior forward Reggie Chaney kicking over a trash can and breaking a chair in frustration.
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It was a frustrating situation to be in for the Cougars — which makes the composure and class shown by sophomore guard Jamal Shead all the more impressive. Shead, who scored 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting and tallied one rebound, three assists and two steals in the loss, was seen in a now-viral video picking up the mess created in the aftermath of the game’s ending:
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The move was highly appreciated by Houston and Alabama fans, as well as neutral observers:
If we’re gonna criticize the guy creating the mess, also praise the one who cared enough to clean it up. His name is Jamal Shead, and he has my respect. https://t.co/cWpzd8hyG0
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) December 12, 2021
After his coaches tore chairs up and kicked trash cans over, University of Houston’s Jamal Shead stopped and picked up the trash after an emotional loss to Alabama Saturday night in Tuscaloosa.
I’m a huge fan of this young man!pic.twitter.com/M3pfFyAv07
— Drew Maddux (@DrewMaddux) December 12, 2021
Bama beat Houston on a controversial call last night.
A Houston assistant destroyed a chair walking off the court. A player knocked over the trash and spilled it everywhere.
Jamal Shead took the time to pick up his teammates’ mess. Shoutout this guy. pic.twitter.com/VjrF8pTirJ
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) December 12, 2021
Ton of respect for #1 Jamal Shead from Houston. Close call at the end of game didn’t go their way. A Houston coach kicked over the trash can on the way out. He could have just walked by but stops and picks it up. Houston is a heck of a team and this guy has a new fan. #Leader https://t.co/56jpIaKh45
— Judd Davis (@BamaJD) December 12, 2021
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