Houston Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson’s criticism of his university’s budget for the men’s basketball program has resurfaced amid their March Madness run. On Monday, a video from a press conference that Sampson held during the 2026 Big 12 conference play in February was uploaded by Front Office Sports on X.
In the video, Sampson was asked about the future of his Houston-based program and how they plan on improving. The tenured tactician was critical of the University of Houston, bemoaning their financially limitations. Sampson then asserted that this can heavily affect plans for player recruitment in the offseason.
“ We have a very poor athletic department. We’re poor. You know, we’re poor when I got here, and we’re still poor. We probably have the lowest budget of anybody in Power Four, you know, and, you know, the way our recruiting is going, we have to stop at some point ’cause we don’t have enough money to keep bringing in really good players. And that’s not easy for us to do,” Sampson said.
The Cougars have made it all the way to the Sweet 16 of this year’s national tournament. Sampson and company are set to face Brad Underwood‘s Illinois Fighting Illini for a spot in the Elite Eight on Thursday, March 26, at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
Kelvin Sampson Recently Discussed Playing March Madness In Houston
In a press conference after his team’s second-round victory over the Texas A&M Aggies in the ongoing national tournament, Sampson was asked to share his thoughts on playing March Madness in Houston.
“There’s going to be enough people talking about that we’ve been to Elite Eights and Final Fours, and it wasn’t on our campus. I don’t know who we’re gonna wind up playing, but whoever we’re playing couldn’t care less about that. Matter of fact, they’ll use it against us. Our focus is on beyond playing Cougar basketball, know where we’re at,” Sampson was quoted as saying.
Read More: Kelvin Sampson Demands Oklahoma Pay Homage to Houston Coach Ahead of NCAA Tournament Clash
Also Read: Kelvin Sampson Receives Bizarre $1 Gift From Mick Cronin as Houston Comments Make Impact
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