INDIANAPOLIS — He’s still here, Indiana. Your guy, Kelvin Sampson. Still winning in your backyard. Now headed back to the Final Four.
It’s quite a feel-good story for Sampson’s endlessly gritty Houston Cougars, who haven’t advanced this far since Phi Slama Jama was an active fraternity some 37 years ago. It’s quite a feel-bad story for Indiana University fans who hold Sampson in the same regard as identity thieves and tax cheats. What is redemptive to one fan base can be revolting to another.
Sampson left this state in 2008 in disgrace and has returned in 2021 in glory, this run coinciding with his former school wallowing in extended mediocrity and changing coaches yet again.