‘Groundbreakers’ raised the bar
Confident Sampson sees big things in team’s future
INDIANAPOLIS — Twenty-five days later, the University of Houston men’s basketball team returned to campus Sunday.
A whirlwind journey that began with departure for the American Athletic Conference tournament in Fort Worth came to an end Saturday night with a 79-59 loss to Baylor in a national semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium
in Indianapolis.
“The perception of the program has changed,” Sampson said of the Cougars’ return to the Final Four for the first time in 37 years, and the national relevance that comes with it.
To mark the occasion, UH’s team buses were greeted to a new look on the glass windows at the front entrance of the team headquarters, Guy V. Lewis Development Facility — a gi
ant 2021 Final Four logo and red banner that showcases the program’s partnership with the Jordan Brand.
“This team can win a national championship,” Sampson said.
When the Cougars advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and won a game for the first time in 34 years, Sampson called that team “trailblazers.” He said it was important for the program to “take the next step” after falling in the Sweet 16 in 2019. And this year’s team that went 28-4, won the AAC tournament title, Midwest Region and reached the sixth Final Four in school history?
“This year, we were groundbreakers,” Sampson said.
The 2021-22 edition of the Cougars will look different, which is nothing unusual for Sampson, who seems to reload and introduce a key new member on an annual basis.
For starters, the Cougars will lose four key members from their Final Four run: guard DeJon Jarreau and forward Brison Gresham, cogs during an 84-16 run the past three seasons; forward Justin Gorham, who emerged as one of the nation’s top rebounders; and All-America guard Quentin Grimes, who is expected to announce he will leave early and enter the NBA Draft.
The group accounted for three of UH’s top four scorers
and rebounders this season.
UH will return guard Marcus Sasser, who finished strong with consecutive 20-point games in the Elite Eight and Final Four; a full healthy season from forward Fabian White Jr., who returned from an ACL injury to provide depth during this year’s postseason run; and freshman guard Tramon Mark will
move into the starting lineup after he showed he’s next in line of UH’s talented backcourt.
UH will also return forward Reggie Chaney, who became a starter late in the season; 3-point threat Cameron Tyson; forward J’Wan Roberts, who had 14 rebounds in an early season win over Boise State; and Jamal Shead, who has been billed as the team’s point
guard of the future. The coaching staff is also intrigued with Kiyron Powell, a 6-8 rim protector who played sparingly this season.
“Jamal Shead will stake his ground next year,” Sampson said. “He’s going to be good. I watched him improve this whole year. Marcus Sasser is going to get better. Tramon Mark, J’Wan Roberts and Kiyron
Powell. Remember they didn’t have a summer (due to COVID-19). They’ll be able to work with (director of sports performance) Alan Bishop and our staff in June, July, August, September before we start practicing in October.”
UH will also add three incoming freshmen: guard Ramon Walker Jr. (Shadow Creek), guard Robbie Armbrester (Atlanta) and forward
Ja’Vier Francis (New Orleans).
“And obviously, like everyone else, we’ll pick up some kids from the transfer portal,” Sampson said. The transfer portal has been widely successful for the Cougars, whose starting lineup in the Final Four included transfers Grimes (Kansas), Jarreau (UMass), Gorham (Towson) and Chaney (Arkansas).
Sampson, who signed an extension in March that runs through the 2026-27 season, will also need to replace assistant coach Alvin Brooks, who was named the head coach at Lamar.
After playing the entire home schedule with reduced capacity crowds, Sampson once again envisions playing before sellout crowds at Fertitta Center, where the Cougars have won 25 in a row, the fourthlongest active streak entering next season.
“This is going to be exciting,” Sampson said. “But this (2020-21) team will never be forgotten. They broke the ground. They showed it can be done. And now it’s up to these ensuing teams to stake their ground too. Looking forward to it.”
The perception has changed at UH. No longer is a successful season defined by a NCAA Tournament appearance. The bar has been raised.
“We’ll be back,” Sampson said. “We’ll be good again next year.”