Kelvin Sampson explains frustrating final possession in Houston's national championship defeat

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Drew Bishop
Kelvin Sampson explains frustrating final possession in Houston's national championship defeat image

Kelvin Sampson has waited his entire career for a National Championship. He'll have to wait at least another year. 

After Houston's 65-63 loss to the Florida Gators, the 69-year-old coach was asked about the final possession where the Cougars did not attempt a shot. 

Sampson explained that before the timeout ended, he told Emanuel Sharp to get the ball at the top of the key, look for a shot fake, and drive to the basket. Sharp chose to shoot instead of fake and had to give up the ball with a hand in his face.

 

 

 

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The coach also addressed the media for about 20 minutes outside the locker room. He had more context to the interaction with Sharp. 

"One of the last things we told him 'If they run at you shot fake it, get the ball in the paint, and give us a chance to get the offensive rebound.'" Sampson said. "Obviously he must've thought he could get the shot off."

 

Sampson later said it was "incomprehensible" that Houston did not get a shot off in the final two possessions. 

 

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One of the great parts of postgame press conferences is getting the raw emotion right after an intense game. Sampson did a good job being diplomatic, but reading between the lines you can see he wanted Sharp to take the ball to the basket.