Golden: Gators ‘respect’ however do not fear Sampson

• Myron MedcalfApr 6, 2025, 04:02 PM ET

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  • Covers college basketball
  • Joined ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

SAN ANTONIO– At 39 years of ages, Todd Golden is among the youngest college basketball coaches to lead a team to a nationwide title game. Kelvin Sampson, who will turn 70 later this year, is one of the oldest.The Houston

leader has actually been a head coach for more than 40 years and reached the Last Four 3 times, however Sampson’s success and experience do not daunt the Gators, Golden stated.

“I certainly respect everyone that we’re betting,” Golden said. “We don’t fear individuals. We respect them. That goes for the coaches, too. All these guys that we’re completing versus at this moment are either Hall of Fame coaches or potentially on their method to being Hall of Popularity coaches or actually, actually successful head coaches.

“The fact that we have actually had the ability to compete and survive through five games in the competition, [we’re] extremely proud of that. This is an excellent chance again for us [Monday] night. Coach Sampson is a Hall of Fame head coach. If we’re able to beat them, it will be a fantastic honor.”

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On Saturday night, Sampson utilized his top-ranked defense to beat Duke in the Final 4, in spite of being down by 9 points with 1:31 to play in the game. After among the most incredible comebacks in NCAA tournament history, the Cougars will now play in their third championship game game.Florida will also play in its fourth national championship game and its very first given that winning back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007. Golden said his group– ranked second in adjusted offending efficiency on KenPom– will need to play wise to defeat a Houston team that has actually held opponents to approximately 58.5 points per game, the leading mark in the nation.” I imply, their defense concerns me a lot, absolutely, “he said.”You take a look at a guy like [Joseph Tugler], [J’Wan Roberts], they have amazing length and athleticism and physicality inside the paint. They use you down, make it truly hard on you. Yeah, it certainly concerns me. I think we’re going to have a couple various concepts, a couple different pitches, for lack of a much better term, to throw at them late in the game. I believe there’s going to be some issues for us out there. If we don’t repair well, we’ll be in problem.”

While Sampson might put a bow on a decorated career with his very first nationwide title on Monday night, Golden might also join a short list of coaches under 50 who have actually lowered the webs. But no matter what occurs in the national championship, Golden stated he’ll feel fortunate to take on versus a legend in his occupation.

“He’s simply a remarkable coach,” Golden said. “That’s the most significant challenge. He’s done it at an extremely high level for a long, long period of time, at a great deal of different locations. Coach Sampson and the Houston program are absolutely among, if not the most difficult program in America. They’ve been doing it for a long period of time.”