Houston Cougars head coach Kelvin Sampson in action against the Duke Blue Devils in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Watch: Houston HC Kelvin Sampson makes hilarious analogy during title game

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 7, 2025 9:57 PM ET

To say that the pressure is on for the Houston Cougars and Florida Gators is an understatement.

The winner of Monday's game between the respective No. 1 seeds goes home the NCAA champion and the winner of March Madness 2025. The loser goes home with only regret.

It's no surprise with that in mind that both teams came out a bit tight in the first half. In fact, after a timeout with 10:18 to go in the first half, Houston had gone 0-of-7 from behind the three-point line. Florida, for its part, had gone 0-of-5.

In a courtside interview with Tracy Wolfson, Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson explained that both teams playing with nerves was likely the reason for the tough shooting start.

The way he said it, though, was hilarious.

"This isn't the middle of January against Sasquatch State." pic.twitter.com/PO1G4vNZ1y
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 8, 2025

"I don't think they've made a three yet, either. We haven't made a three. It's nerves. It's championship night. This ain't the middle of January against Sasquatch State. This is the national championship, there are going to be nerves," Sampson said.

If that's not the perfect way to explain the difference in a non-conference game against a nearly nameless opponent compared to the very final game of March Madness, nothing could be.

Notably, by halftime, the Cougars had made just 2-of-14 shots from three while the Gators did settle down a bit, as Sampson predicted.

They still made just 4-of-14 from deep, but senior guard Will Richard had hit 4-of-6 by the time both teams went to the locker rooms with Houston up, 31-28.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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