Sampson Calls Out Reporter’s Gonzaga Mispronunciation Ahead of NCAA Clash

WICHITA, Kan. — Ahead of a crucial Sweet 16 matchup in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson praised rival Mark Few during a press conference on March 22. However, the mood shifted when Sampson called out a reporter for mispronouncing Gonzaga as “Gon-zawg-ah.”

During the press conference, Sampson stated, “It always burns me up when people say that. It’s like calling me Kevin. My name is not Kevin.” He went on to share a personal anecdote about how his mother insisted on the correct pronunciation of his name. “People used to see my name and say ‘Hey, Kevin.’ And [my mom] would say, ‘Don’t let people call you Kevin. Your name is Kelvin. Make sure they pronounce your name right,’” he explained.

This Saturday, the No. 1 seed Cougars will face the No. 8-seeded Bulldogs in Wichita, a significant game with implications for both teams’ NCAA Tournament ambitions. The Cougars previously overwhelmed No. 16 seed SIU Edwardsville 78-40 in the first round, while Gonzaga secured an 89-68 victory over No. 9 seed Georgia.

Despite their coaching tenure and success, Sampson and Few have faced each other only once, back in 2007, when Sampson’s Indiana Hoosiers triumphed over Few’s Bulldogs, 70-57. The highly anticipated clash on Saturday marks their second encounter, but with much higher stakes, as both coaches aim to maintain their Sweet 16 streaks.

“We’ve only been doing this for about seven or eight years, whatever it is. Mark has been doing this a lot longer, so don’t compare us to Gonzaga,” Sampson remarked, hinting at the significance of this matchup and the legacy his rival has built over the years.

Both coaches have achieved incredible success, combining for 1,462 career wins and four Final Four appearances, yet neither has claimed a national title, adding to the pressure of this high-stakes elimination game. As the Cougars attempt to challenge Gonzaga’s consistency on the court, the game promises to be a thrilling showdown.