Sooner Nation found a reason to still root for a men's college basketball team in April, deep into the NCAA Tournament.
The Oklahoma Sooners were bounced in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but OU fans were still watching and cheering during the Final Four on Saturday night in San Antonio, Texas.
The Houston Cougars had a comeback that'll go down in history to beat the Duke Blue Devils 70-67 to advance to Monday night's national championship game against the Florida Gators.
Seen a win prob chart like this before? pic.twitter.com/Nh4gjyPJmC
— Trevor McCue (@trevormccue) April 6, 2025
Just like he did the Sooners as head coach in 2002, Kelvin Sampson led Houston to the Final Four before finally reaching the title game for the first time this season. Long before taking over at Houston, though, Sampson led the Sooners for 12 years and is still the winningest men's basketball coach in OU history.
Sampson left OU for Indiana in 2006. He then spent time in the NBA as an assistant before getting to Houston in 2014.
Despite Sampson leaving OU, those hard feelings seem to be water under the bridge as Sooner Nation rejoiced in Sampson's success with the Cougars.
Oklahoma fans cheering for Houston Cougars during NCAA Tournament run
Houston trailed Duke 66-59 with 1:26 left, then defense and coaching won the day. The Cougars stalled Cooper Flagg and the Blue Devils to finish the game on an 11-1 run to win the game.
Cmon Fightin’ Kelvins!
— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) April 6, 2025
Thought this game was over over after the Tuggler technical. What a fun game. Awesome for the Sampson family and Houston basketball. Get it done Monday!!
— Eddie Radosevich (@Eddie_Rado) April 6, 2025
Good for Kelvin. Go get one.
— John E. Hoover 🌮 (@johnehoover) April 6, 2025
Heart, Hustle & Hardwood pic.twitter.com/W6QhQtlGGY
— Joe Castiglione Jr. (@JoeCJr29) April 6, 2025
Lots of heart, hustle, hardwood on display down the stretch in that one. Happy for Kelvin, Kellen, Hollis, Quannas, Champ, Karen, Lauren and that crew.
— Mike Houck (@mhouckOU) April 6, 2025
KELVIN SAMPSON TEAMS HAVE HEART!
— Sam Humphreys (@SamHumphreys34) April 6, 2025
WHAT A COMEBACK!
MY MOM IS SMILING DOWN RIGHT NOW!
ON TO THE NATTY!
I freaking love Kelvin Sampson. Unbelievable.
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) April 6, 2025
Kelvin Sampson.
— Parker Thune (@ParkerThune) April 6, 2025
What a team he’s got.
Maybe OU men's basketball fans are just desperate for something to cheer for. ...
I’m happy for our former Sooners as well, but some of y’all are cheering harder for Houston than you do for OU hoops 😂
— Travis J Davidson (@TravisSkol) April 6, 2025
Could this Final Four coach be a good fit for the Sooners, though? Makes you wonder. ...
The coach from Houston seems like a good dude that can coach kids up. OU should try to hire him.
— Dirt Burglars (@DirtBurglars_LT) April 6, 2025
What I wouldn't give for Kelvin Sampson to still be my head coach
— Barstool Sooners (@OUBarstool) April 6, 2025