The Sampson Choke

Kudos to Indiana for stomping favored Oklahoma today.

But come on -- did anyone really expect Kelvin Sampson to beat a team that NOBODY gave a chance to win? Sampson does a great job of coaching when he has a chip on his shoulder. No respect in the Big 12 this year? Take it out on Kansas in the Big 12 title game. No respect from the NCAA seeding committee? Win the West regional as a #2 seed.

But favored easily to beat an Indiana team that was only a #5 seed? Everyone should have known that would be trouble for a Sampson-coached team. It's too bad, because Oklahoma has already beaten both teams in today's second game, yet would have likely been an underdog in the title game.

Unfortunately, you have to get to the title game to win it.

Still, a fine year for Oklahoma, far better than anyone expected.

[Posted at 20:50 CST on 03/30/02] [Link]