NCAAB News: Cougars HC Kelvin Sampson makes bold statement after narrow win vs Gonzaga

After claiming the title in the latest Big 12 Championship final, the Houston Cougars are eager to validate their strong form and, why not, dream of winning the NCAA Tournament. To do so, Kelvin Sampson’s squad took a big step forward by defeating the Gonzaga Bulldogs and advancing to the Sweet 16.

It was known in advance that it wouldn’t be an easy task to defeat Mark Few’s team, which, despite some ups and downs, had a standout performance throughout the regular season in College Basketball.

This is why, after the game at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Sampson expressed his happiness not only for securing the victory but also for doing so against a worthy opponent like the Bulldogs.

“Let’s stop and congratulate Mark Few and Gonzaga,” Sampson said on the court. “For what they’ve accomplished, and been such a shining light for basketball programs and basketball coaches for a long, long time. There’s nobody I respect more than Mark Few, and there’s not a basketball program I respect more than Gonzaga. We beat a hell of a program tonight. That makes it even more significant.”

Head coach Kelvin Sampson of the Houston Cougars talks with J’Wan Roberts #13 during the first half \agon in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 22, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas.

While in the lead-up to the game, the matchup against the Bulldogs was expected to be somewhat even, the reality was that the Cougars lived up to their status as contenders and didn’t give their opponent a chance to find their rhythm, sealing the victory with a narrow final score of 81-76.

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Sampson’s gesture towards his opponents

Kelvin Sampson may be one of the most experienced coaches in College Basketball, but what sets him apart even more is his empathy towards his opponents, whether his teams win or lose.

One of the standout moments of the game in which his Cougars finally defeated Gonzaga came when the Houston coach approached Khalif Battle to comfort him, as he couldn’t hold back his sadness after the loss, in a rare, paternal gesture.

What’s next for the Cougars?

The Sweet 16 awaits with open arms for the Houston Cougars, who will next face the Purdue Boilermakers. The game will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Friday, March 28.