Houston's Kelvin Sampson Defeats Gonzaga, Advances to Sweet 16

The Houston Cougars, led by coach Kelvin Sampson, advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament after a narrow 81-76 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Sampson expressed deep respect for Gonzaga's head coach Mark Few, highlighting his long-standing admiration for Few's successful program, which has a legacy of NCAA Tournament excellence. Despite Gonzaga's early exit, Sampson acknowledged the Bulldogs' formidable history in the tournament, including their streak of consecutive Sweet 16 appearances. Both coaches, who share a mutual respect, have yet to secure a national championship despite their impressive careers, adding stakes to their matchup. As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on both programs' aspirations to finally claim the elusive title. Houston will face Purdue in their next game, while Gonzaga's season ends with their competitive spirit intact.