Sampson's Cougars Return to OKC for NCAA Tournament

0:00On March 18th, Houston men's basketball coach, Kelvin Samson, is thrilled to bring his second-seated cougars to Oklahoma City for the NCAA tournament. The team faces 15th-seated Idaho Thursday at 9.10pm at Peacombs Center. Samson coached at the University of Oklahoma from 1994 to 2006, making this a homecoming of sorts. Late season wins over Brigham Young and Kansas in the Big 12 tournament boosted their chances for this spot. A three-game skid had raised doubts, but those victories sealed the deal and put smiles on the team's faces. Oklahoma holds deep meaning for Samson, where he raised his kids, both University of Oklahoma graduates. He still hears Boomer's sooner chance from fans wherever he goes and always responds with sooner. Old friend Bob Stoops, the former Sooner's football coach, texts him after wins, cheering on the cougars. Houston staff includes son, Kelvin, an OU alum from 2004 to 2007, and former Sooner Hollis Price.

1:00Kelvin keeps strong Norman ties, vacationing there every summer. Samson calls himself a cougar at heart, but emits to lingering sooner blood. With three final four trips and a title game lost last year, his squad eyes that first championship right here in OKC. Made in AI.