It’s heartbreak again for Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars. Another trip to the championship game. Another painful ending. The last time the Cougars made it this far, Hakeem Olajuwon was still suiting up for them. Fittingly, the Hall of Famer was in the building this time too, part of the 65,000+ fans inside the Alamodome. And what did they witness? One of the wildest finishes in NCAA history. A chaotic final sequence that ultimately sealed the Cougars’ fate and crushed their title dreams once again.

With just over 5 seconds remaining, it all came down to one shot. Houston’s Emanuel Sharp had the ball in his hands. A game-winning three-pointer in sight. But then came Alex Condon flying in to contest. Sharp tried to avoid the block. In that moment, everything changed. It became a bounce pass. He couldn’t touch the ball again without committing a travel. The ball bounced… and bounced… until Florida grabbed it. Game over! The Gators had won the championship again! But this run of play left coach Kelvin Sampson furious!

In the postgame press conference, Kelvin Sampson didn’t hold back. “You gotta get a shot,” he said, shaking his head. “You gotta do better than that.” The frustration was written all over his face.

Sharp’s decision not to take that final shot will haunt Houston fans for a long time. It was a bitter end to a remarkable season and for the Cougars, a familiar heartbreak. With this loss, Houston drops to 0-3 in national championship games. They now remain the only program to make it to seven Final Fours and still not lift the trophy.

Sharp, who had been one of Houston’s most consistent performers all season and throughout the tournament, will surely replay the final in his mind over and over again. Shooting just 27.3% from the field and finishing with only 8 points –his joint-lowest in the big dance.

But in moments like these, great coaches step up. Kelvin Sampson did just that. As emotions ran high, the veteran coach was there to lift the spirits of his team — a group that had come just one shot away from college basketball immortality.

Kelvin Sampson is proud of his team’s efforts

“I love these kids. I love this staff. I love this program. This one hurts. This one stings. I told our guys after the game to be disappointed you lost, but do not be disappointed in your effort,” said Sampson after their incredible journey together came just one shot short.

It’s easy to understand the frustration in Sampson’s voice. Houston had the game right where they wanted it — a lead as high as 12 points, momentum on their side, and their eyes set on a historic first national title. But as March Madness so often reminds us, no lead is ever truly safe.

The Cougars were in control for most of the night, committing just four turnovers in the first 36 minutes and change. But when it mattered most, things unraveled. Houston coughed up the ball five times in the final 3:24 — including three crucial turnovers in the last minute alone. The whole game flipped in the last few minutes. Something very similar to what happened in their Final Four Game, but this time, they were on the receiving end.

It’s been a memorable ride for Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars. Looking ahead, Houston should still be in the mix for the championship next year. The talent, culture, and support staff are all in place for another memorable season. But the big question remains –can they finally get over that national title slump?