Kelvin Sampson focused on Arizona after the loss to Iowa State
Houston basketball remains firmly in the spotlight and head coach Kelvin Sampson made it clear his program wasn’t going to dwell on the narrow loss to Iowa State. After the No. 2 Cougars fell 70-67 on the road to the No. 6 Cyclones inside Hilton Coliseum, the focus quickly shifted to the Arizona Wildcats and their next challenge in Big 12 play.
The loss occurred in dramatic fashion. The Cougars had a 10-point lead before the Cyclones went on a decisive 17-4 run down the stretch. Nate Heise hit a 3-pointer with 1:17 left and a late turnover sealed the victory. Despite Kingston Flemings’ 22 points, Houston fell to 23-3 overall as the Big 12 race tightened.
Sampson, however, did not dwell on missed opportunities. The veteran head coach emphasized recovery and preparation, signaling that perspective is important in a conference defined by elite competition. With Arizona coming to town on Saturday, Houston faces another high-stakes matchup that could affect conference positioning and the NCAA Tournament.
Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle posted Sampson’s postgame comments on X (formerly known as Twitter), noting the head coach’s comments forward-looking mentality as Houston immediately turns its attention to the Wildcats.
“We’ll lick our wounds with this one and get ready for another big one on Saturday.”
The message was short but revealing. Instead of revisiting the late-game collapse, Sampson framed the failure as part of Big 12 basketball. That approach reinforces the culture Houston has established under his leadership — measured, disciplined and focused on the future.
Arizona now becomes a challenge. Returning to the Fertitta Center offers Houston a chance to respond with intensity in front of the home crowd. In a conference where every possession has the potential to change momentum, mental resets are just as crucial as tactical adjustments.
Houston understands those championship aspirations it depends on the resistance. A three-point loss in Ames doesn’t define a season. How the Cougars react against Arizona, it very well could.
2026-02-17 06:58:00
