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University of Houston Athletics
Sampson Named Coach of the Year Semifinalist
3/11/2019 2:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball
One of 11 coaches selected
HOUSTON – After a record-setting season for the University of Houston Men's Basketball program, Head Coach Kelvin Sampson was recognized as a Werner Ladder Naismith National Coach of the Year Semifinalist on Monday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
In 2018-19, Sampson has led the Cougars to one of the finest seasons in school history with a 29-2 overall record and 16-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play entering the postseason. With the Cougars' 85-69 win at No. 20/19 Cincinnati on Sunday, his Houston team captured the outright American Athletic Conference regular-season championship, a first for the program since 1983-84.
The Cougars won their first 15 games to open the season before falling at Temple in early January but rallied with a 12-game winning streak following that setback.
Houston's 29 regular-season wins set a school single-season mark and topped the previous record of 28 victories by the 1967-68 team.
Under Sampson's leadership, the Cougars are poised for their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance and the 15th NCAA postseason appearance of his outstanding career.
Senior guard Corey Davis Jr. and junior guard Armoni Brooks were named to the All-American Athletic Conference team earlier Monday, while guard Nate Hinton was recognized as a member of the league's All-Freshman Team.
Sampson looks to collect his second straight American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award when the honor is announced later this week.
Sampson has previously been recognized as National Coach of the Year twice during his career. He was named National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 1994-95 after leading Oklahoma to a 23-9 record in his first season with the Sooners.
He was named National Association of Basketball Coaches National Coach of the Year in 2001-02 after leading Oklahoma to the NCAA Final Four, the Big 12 Tournament championship and a 31-5 record.
Sampson joined Rick Barnes (Tennessee), Chris Beard (Texas Tech), Tony Bennett (Virginia), John Calipari (Kentucky), Mark Few (Gonzaga), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Nate Oats (Buffalo), Matt Painter (Purdue), Roy Williams (North Carolina) and Mike Young (Wofford) as a semifinalist.
Four finalists will be chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national voting academy, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners and conference commissioners, all of whom based their selections on outstanding coaching performances during the 2018-19 season.
UP NEXT
• Sampson and his Cougars return to action in the Air Force Reserve American Athletic Conference Championship this weekend.
• The Cougars meet the winner of No. 8 seed USF-No. 9 seed UConn at 11 a.m., Friday, inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. That game can be seen on ESPN2 and heard on KPRC 950 AM.
BUY TICKETS
Fans can get a head start on the 2019-20 campaign by purchasing season tickets now, starting at only $175.
Fans can purchase 2019-20 season tickets at UHCougars.com/tickets or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered team apparel, a signed basketball, invitations to practice, a tour of the $25 million Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, regular updates about the program and much more.
To join the 50-50 Club, fans can call 713-743-9742 or email UHMensBasketball@uh.edu. For more information about the 50-50 Club, levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team' Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
In 2018-19, Sampson has led the Cougars to one of the finest seasons in school history with a 29-2 overall record and 16-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play entering the postseason. With the Cougars' 85-69 win at No. 20/19 Cincinnati on Sunday, his Houston team captured the outright American Athletic Conference regular-season championship, a first for the program since 1983-84.
The Cougars won their first 15 games to open the season before falling at Temple in early January but rallied with a 12-game winning streak following that setback.
Houston's 29 regular-season wins set a school single-season mark and topped the previous record of 28 victories by the 1967-68 team.
Under Sampson's leadership, the Cougars are poised for their second straight NCAA Tournament appearance and the 15th NCAA postseason appearance of his outstanding career.
Senior guard Corey Davis Jr. and junior guard Armoni Brooks were named to the All-American Athletic Conference team earlier Monday, while guard Nate Hinton was recognized as a member of the league's All-Freshman Team.
Sampson looks to collect his second straight American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award when the honor is announced later this week.
Sampson has previously been recognized as National Coach of the Year twice during his career. He was named National Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 1994-95 after leading Oklahoma to a 23-9 record in his first season with the Sooners.
He was named National Association of Basketball Coaches National Coach of the Year in 2001-02 after leading Oklahoma to the NCAA Final Four, the Big 12 Tournament championship and a 31-5 record.
Sampson joined Rick Barnes (Tennessee), Chris Beard (Texas Tech), Tony Bennett (Virginia), John Calipari (Kentucky), Mark Few (Gonzaga), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Nate Oats (Buffalo), Matt Painter (Purdue), Roy Williams (North Carolina) and Mike Young (Wofford) as a semifinalist.
Four finalists will be chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's national voting academy, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former award winners and conference commissioners, all of whom based their selections on outstanding coaching performances during the 2018-19 season.
UP NEXT
• Sampson and his Cougars return to action in the Air Force Reserve American Athletic Conference Championship this weekend.
• The Cougars meet the winner of No. 8 seed USF-No. 9 seed UConn at 11 a.m., Friday, inside FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. That game can be seen on ESPN2 and heard on KPRC 950 AM.
BUY TICKETS
Fans can get a head start on the 2019-20 campaign by purchasing season tickets now, starting at only $175.
Fans can purchase 2019-20 season tickets at UHCougars.com/tickets or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647).
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to join the 50-50 Club to support Houston Men's Basketball. 50-50 Club members help fund program necessities and enhance the experience for our student-athletes.
Fans who join the 50-50 Club will receive embroidered team apparel, a signed basketball, invitations to practice, a tour of the $25 million Guy V. Lewis Development Facility, regular updates about the program and much more.
To join the 50-50 Club, fans can call 713-743-9742 or email UHMensBasketball@uh.edu. For more information about the 50-50 Club, levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team' Facebook page at UHCougarMBK or by visiting the team's Instagram page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
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