Kelvin Sampson Fires Back at Duke Fans: “We Went 34-4 in the Big 12, Not the Toy Poodle League”
Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson is not here for the excuses — especially from Duke fans still upset about their team’s narrow NCAA Tournament loss to the Cougars. In a fiery response to ongoing criticism, Sampson addressed the noise surrounding officiating decisions that some Blue Devils supporters claim cost them the game.
“All I hear is Duke this, Duke that,” Sampson said, clearly fed up with the narrative. “We went 34-4 and not playing in the Toy Poodle League. We went 34-4 in the Big 12.”
The statement came during a post-season media availability, where Sampson was asked about Houston’s strong finish and the drama that followed their Sweet 16 showdown with Duke. Critics have pointed to a series of technical fouls and questionable calls as pivotal moments in the game. But for Sampson, that talk disrespects what his team accomplished.
“We’ve battled through one of the toughest conferences in the country,” he added. “If people want to blame the refs instead of respecting what we built here — that’s on them. We earned every win.”
The Cougars’ 2024 campaign was nothing short of dominant. Transitioning into the Big 12, Houston didn’t just survive — they thrived. Going 34-4 against elite competition, including ranked matchups nearly every week, Sampson’s squad showed the kind of grit and execution few teams could match.
While Duke fans continue to stew over their March exit, Sampson made it clear: his Cougars belong in the national conversation, and they didn’t need help from the refs to get there.
“We’re not new to this,” he said. “We’re tough, we’re built for pressure, and we’re not interested in fairy tales from fans who can’t handle a loss.”
As the dust settles on a heated college basketball season, one thing is clear — Kelvin Sampson and the Houston Cougars have no intention of backing down, and they’re ready to bark back at anyone still living in denial.
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