Old Friends Face Off in Elite Eight: Houston vs. Tennessee

INDIANAPOLIS — Old friends Rick Barnes and Kelvin Sampson are set to meet on the basketball court once again, as their teams square off in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament this Sunday. The matchup features Sampson’s No. 1 seed Houston facing off against Barnes’ No. 2 seed Tennessee at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The two coaches share a rich history that dates back nearly 50 years to their college days in North Carolina. Barnes, who sported long hair back then, and Sampson have maintained a close friendship that endured their overlapping years in the Red River Rivalry while coaching at Texas and Oklahoma, respectively. Their bond was evident as they expressed deep mutual respect.”I love Kelvin Sampson,” Barnes said Saturday. “I love Rick Barnes,” Sampson replied, before joking, “Except for the two hours tomorrow.”

Both coaches are among the active leaders with the most wins without a national championship, adding urgency to this final showdown. Barnes, at 70, has 836 wins, making him the active leader for Division I coaches without a title. Sampson, 69, follows closely with 797 wins, including time spent at Montana Tech. While Barnes is 33 wins behind Bob Huggins for the all-time record, Sampson emphasized his respect for Barnes: “If we don’t win it, I hope he does.”

Notably, both coaches have reached the Final Four before — Sampson in 2002 with Oklahoma and in 2021 with Houston, while Barnes last made it to that stage in 2003 with Texas. Now, both coaches have their teams one game away from a potential breakthrough, with Tennessee on the verge of reaching its first Final Four.

Each coach possesses a unique style characterized by intensity and a driven approach. This season, their teams for each coach reflect that spirit, with Houston leading the nation in defensive efficiency and Tennessee close behind at third. Despite the strong offensing outputs from both teams, this matchup is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair, predicted to play out in the 50s rather than 90s.

A victory for Houston would mark its seventh trip to the Final Four, which would be a significant achievement considering the program has never secured a national title. For Tennessee, Barnes insists it would be “a great honor” to push the team into that elite company.

Sampson has guided Houston through a remarkable journey back to relevance following a difficult period that included a firing at Indiana and a brief stint in the NBA from 2008 to 2014. He noted Houston’s six consecutive Sweet 16 appearances, a streak that could have been even longer without a fateful buzzer-beater against Michigan in 2018. Conversely, Barnes has orchestrated a golden era for Tennessee, navigating the program to seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances, always maintaining a seed of No. 5 or better.

While many of their peers struggle with the evolving landscape of college sports, particularly with transfer portals and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, both coaches have adapted positively. Sampson was optimistic about the matchup, noting the importance of appreciating the game. “Tomorrow’s going to be a great game between two very proud programs,” he said. “I hope just for two hours, people realize it’s still a great game.”

As the countdown begins, the final score will determine a winner, but the bond between these coaching legends will surely carry on. “Warmed my heart last night to see him holding his grandson,” reflected Barnes, highlighting the importance of their friendship over the decades. “We’ve grown up together, and we’re growing old together.”