Kelvin Sampson didn’t make Houston into one of college basketball’s top programs by ducking opponents.
It’s that same mindset that the 68-year old head coach will carry into the upcoming season as the Cougars join the Big 12.
“We’re not going to run from anybody,” Sampson said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast in reference to the Big 12. “We get the internet here in Houston. We get cable. We don’t need someone to tell us how good Kansas is or how good Baylor is. We get it. We know that our record isn’t going to be what it was, but I’m excited about it.”
Under Sampson’s watch, Houston ripped through the American Athletic Conference like a chainsaw through butter. The Cougars are a combined 46-6 in regular season conference games over the past three seasons, but will undoubtedly be stepping up a weight class in the Big 12.
Houston is one of eight teams from the Big 12 currently ranked in the ROTHSTEIN 45.
Leftovers
- Duke/Georgia, Alabama/Houston to headline 2026 Jimmy V Classic at MSG
- Cincinnati, Georgia, Boston College, and UCF will participate in 2026 ESPN Events Invitational
- Wisconsin, NC State, Seton Hall to participate in 2026 Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship, fourth team still TBD
- INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL NOW (5/28): Guest — Boston College’s Luke Murray
- Oklahoma State, Dayton, Northwestern, Utah, Minnesota, and Virginia Tech will participate in 2026 Charleston Classic, final two spots are TBD
