Houston coach Kelvin Sampson addressed the media on Thursday ahead of the Cougars’ Final Four matchup against Duke in San Antonio. He reflected on his team’s journey, discussed Duke’s strengths, praised Jon Scheyer’s coaching, and highlighted Houston’s biggest improvement this season.
On Reaching the Final Four
Sampson expressed pride in his team, emphasizing that every squad embarks on a journey, learning and growing from the offseason through the season. He credited strong player leadership for Houston’s ability to overcome adversity, particularly on the road. While they weren’t dominant early on, players like LJ Cryer, J’Wan Roberts, Emanuel Sharp, JoJo Tugler, and others helped guide first-year point guard Milos Uzan, contributing to the team’s steady improvement.
On Facing Duke
Sampson acknowledged Duke’s talented freshmen Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach but pointed out that their success is also due to veteran support. He praised coach Jon Scheyer for strategically integrating experienced players like Sion James and Tyrese Proctor with the young stars. Sampson noted that while freshmen may start the season inexperienced, by March, they’ve matured significantly.
On Jon Scheyer’s Coaching
Sampson commended Scheyer’s coaching, stating that people no longer compare him to his predecessor, Mike Krzyzewski, because he has established himself in his own right. “He’s got his team in the Final Four that speaks volumes,” Sampson said.
On Retaining Veteran Players
Sampson attributed Houston’s ability to keep experienced players to the continuity of his coaching staff. He emphasized the program’s culture, hiring staff from within and fostering a family-like atmosphere. “We develop our staff the way we develop our players,” he said, reinforcing that culture is a cornerstone of Houston’s success.
On Houston’s Offensive Improvement
Sampson never worries about replacing star players but instead focuses on how the team can improve as a whole. He noted that while Houston couldn’t necessarily become a better defensive team after losing standout guard Jamal Shead, they could improve offensively specifically in three-point shooting. By researching and developing players like Milos Uzan, Terrance Arceneaux, and Mylik Wilson, Houston transitioned from being a team that takes threes to one that consistently makes them.
As Houston prepares for its showdown with Duke, Sampson’s confidence in his team’s evolution and culture remains evident.
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