Report: Houston star Marcus Sasser will not have minute restrictions vs. Auburn

After Marcus Sasser left Houston’s NCAA Tournament opener when he aggravated his groin injury, questions arose about his status for the Round of 32 against Auburn. It sounds like he’s a full go.

Sasser is expected to start and won’t play with a minutes restriction, Stadium’s Jeff Goodman reported Saturday. After he left in the first-round matchup with Northern Kentucky, Sasser didn’t return after the groin injury he suffered in the American Athletic Conference championship flared up again. It turns out he could have come back, but the coaching staff told him no, Goodman said.

That’s consistent with what Sasser said in his press conference Friday before the game. He made it clear he’s going to play in the game and didn’t sound like he’d have many restrictions.

“I’m playing tomorrow, 100 percent,” Sasser told reporters. “I’ve been doing a lot of rehab treatment since I got back to the hotel yesterday, and, you know, it’s going good.”

Sasser is in the midst of a monster year for Houston to help lead the Cougars to a No. 1 seed, averaging 16.7 points and 3.1 assists per game. Those numbers are why Bruce Pearl said Auburn was preparing as if Sasser was going to play. That way, the Tigers can build the game plan to try and contain him.

“We’re planning on him playing,” Pearl said. “He tried to go the other night against Northern Kentucky. He was okay offensively, but when he had to just plant, really sit down and guard, you could tell it wasn’t 100 percent. But we’re expecting him to be out there.

“He makes a big difference for him because he is such a dynamic offensive player. One of the best guards in the entire country. So we anticipate he’ll play.”

Bruce Pearl on Marcus Sasser: ‘He is the best defensive guard in college basketball’

It’s not just about stopping Sasser on offense, though. He’s a great defender, averaging 1.6 steals per game this season. In fact, Pearl put Sasser’s defense in a class of its own.

“He is the best defensive guard in college basketball,” Pearl said. “He affects the game. He is not afraid of the moment. Big shots, big playmaker. He is, I think in many ways, their heart and their soul and just does a great job getting downhill, does a great job facilitating. Will just take the ball from you, whether you want him to or not. He is going to take your rock.

“Obviously, Houston is older and more experienced, and he appears to be, obviously, an important leader for them.”

Houston and Auburn will tip off in the Round of 32 Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET on TBS.