Kelvin Sampson ejected after furious outburst following no-call vs. Oklahoma State
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson let his temper get the best of him, leading to an ejection in the second half against Oklahoma State on Tuesday. Sampson was arguing a no-call after Cowboys center Brandon Garrison appeared to push off Cougars guard Jamal Shead for an offensive foul.
However, no whistle was blown as Garrison made an easy layup. That caused Sampson to run out on the court screaming at officials and waving his arms. He had to be held back by his own players and members of the coaching staff.
He received his second technical foul of the game, leading to his ejection.
Houston held a comfortable 49-29 lead at the time of Sampson’s ejection, which was his first in 10 seasons coaching the Cougars. Cowboys guard Javon Small made 1-of-2 free throws on the technical to cut the lead down to 19.
Assistant coach Kellen Sampson, the son of Kelvin Sampson, took over for his father and led Houston to a 79-63 over the final 15 minutes. Kelvin Sampson declined to comment on the ejection postgame, joking about Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades, who received a $25,000 fine for his comments about officiating in the Bears’ win against Iowa State on Saturday.
“It’s a $25,000 fine if I tell you truth,” Sampson said. “I learned that from Mack Rhoades.”
Sampson even went on to ask the reporter if he was willing to pay part of the fine for an answer from the coach.
“So, if I say something, answer your question, they fine me $25,000, what part of the $25,000 are you willing to pay?” Sampson asked. “So, don’t ask me silly questions because it’s a $25,000 fine if I tell the truth.
Even if Sampson had a point in being upset about the no-call, he wisely decided not to push it and simply move on with the victory. The Cougars led from start to finish as they improved their home winning streak to 18 games.
Shead led Houston with 23 points to go along with four assists and three steals. Emanuel Sharp chipped in another 16 points, while Mylik Wilson added 12 off the bench.
Houston improved to 20-3 (7-3 Big 12) on the season and now sits in first place in the conference standings. The Cougars have won six of their past seven and will look to keep rolling when they next face Cincinnati on the road Saturday.