NCAAB News: Cougars HC Kelvin Sampson makes something clear after victory vs Purdue

This stage of the NCAA Tournament was far from easy, and Kelvin Sampson was well aware of that. As a result, his Houston Cougars had to double their efforts to overcome the challenge posed by the Purdue Boilermakers, securing their spot among the elite teams heading to the Elite Eight.

In a Lucas Oil Stadium that certainly made its presence felt, the Cougars had to stay strong against a crowd that clearly leaned in favor of the Boilermakers. Kelvin Sampson noticed the charged atmosphere in the stands and didn’t hesitate to highlight it in his post-game remarks to the press.

“I thought Purdue played hard. I thought their crowd was tremendous,” the Cougars HC stated once the game concluded. “So for us, just finding a way to win. It’s what we’ve been pretty good at all year.”

Once again relying on the outstanding performance of their star Milos Uzan, the Houston Cougars managed to weather a tight game until the end, staying in contention to win. As a result, they secured their spot among the eight top contenders for the title.

Milos Uzan #7 of the Houston Cougars celebrates with Joseph Tugler #11 after making the game winning shot against the Purdue Boilermakers at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Uzan’s reflection after the victory over Purdue

While Sampson has a roster worthy of a title contender, there’s no doubt that his star player, Milos Uzan, has been having an outstanding season. After the game, the standout player spoke with the press and expressed his excitement about reaching the Elite Eight.

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“That was beautiful,” Uzan said of the way the play unfolded via ESPN.com. “Especially in a moment like this, Sweet 16 to go to the Elite Eight.”

Uzan was one of the standout performers of the day, scoring 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting, along with six assists and three rebounds. Can the point guard maintain his level and finally crown it with a title alongside his teammates?

What’s next for the Cougars?

After defeating Purdue 62-60 and advancing to the Elite Eight of March Madness, Kelvin Sampson’s team will now face the Tennessee Volunteers next Sunday, March 30, once again in Indianapolis.