NCAA Men's 1st and 2nd Rounds: Tulsa Saturday, March 23, 2019 Tulsa, Oklahoma Kelvin Sampson school in the NCAA. Just your overall impression Fabian White, Jr. of the Big Ten as compared to your conference? GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: You know, they're a big Corey Davis, Jr. dominant, physical team. They got a dominant, Houston Cougars dynamic 5 man as well as other guards on the perimeter. Different kind of feel and brand of basketball THE MODERATOR: Right to questions for the two than we're used to playing an opponent. We're just a student-athletes. bunch of dogs. We're ready for anything that anybody may throw at us. Q. Both you guys, talk about the challenges and obviously your coaching staff is very good as COREY DAVIS, JR.: Very methodic thing. They know putting game plans together. The challenges of what they want to do. I mean, like Galen said, a whole prepping for a team you haven't played before and different type of basketball than we play because we a short time to do it? like to run and gun, make everything fast. Play hard, GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: Definitely poses a big aggressive. Like I said, just be focused and just ready challenge because there's a level of unfamiliarity with to be ready for whatever they throw at us. them. In conference play, you play everybody twice. Lot of guys you played over the years, you have a good Q. What is it about Coach Sampson's style that feel for them. This is a Big Ten team, never played allows your brand of basketball to shine even them before, never play -- we played one player last more? Coach Sampson's style, what is it about year. For the most part, it's a really unfamiliar kind of that that breeds so much confidence in you guys. feel to it. We just have -- we trust in our coaches to get COREY DAVIS, JR.: I think it just contributes to the us a good game plan. We're going to buy into it. freedom that Coach Sampson gives us especially as guards. We have just -- he has all the confidence in COREY DAVIS, JR.: This time around it takes a level of the world in us and he just allows us to make plays, run focus, we have to -- have to have another level of focus the offense, just especially me and Galen to do rather than like a regular season game, the teams we basically whatever we want to do on defense. He gives normally play or somebody in our conference. We us a lot of freedom. That contributes to our confidence have to be very detail oriented and just trust our and how we play. coaches because they do a great job with all our scouts. We have to pay attention and just stick to all GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: Definitely gives us freedom, the details they give us. but moreso he believes in our instincts. He tells us to trust our instincts. Whatever we feel we need to do, Q. Corey, you've recently mentioned how focused trust it and do it. We have a bunch of guys who have this team feels, how locked in. Not that you weren't pretty high basketball IQs. We know what to do in a lot all season, but did that change right after the of emergency situations. Trusting your instincts and conference tournament in Memphis? When did play with freedom. He allows us to do that and thank you really feel that feeling start to change? him for that. COREY DAVIS, JR.: Honestly all throughout the week. The week before we played Georgia State, we had a Q. A couple of days ago Kelvin talked about his level of focus. Started from the loss Sunday against time in the NBA and the things that he learned as a Cincinnati. Ever since that game, we came in prepared head coach. He never used to delegate game every practice, every shoot-around, every film session. planning. He learned in the NBA that's the way to We had a level of focus I didn't normally feel or see do it. Can you kind of describe how that process throughout the season. I seen -- not that we weren't works for you guys when the game planning comes focused throughout the season, but I guess a higher down from one of the assistant coaches? standard of being focused. GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: Every coach pretty much have similar styles, pretty much detail-oriented. Coach Q. Second year in a row you guys playing a Big Ten Sampson definitely has the final say if he sees like an

Rev #1 by #274 at 2019-03-23 20:56:00 GMT page 1 of 6 adjustment needs to be made. But for the most part, getting, whether it's in Houston at these watch it's all about detail and knowing everything about it. parties or all the fans that are here from Houston or The personnel, game plan, schemes, all that stuff is all UH fans. Both you guys thought about the support just tied to the big umbrella of the game plan. you're getting on this journey? COREY DAVIS, JR.: Actually amazing to know we COREY DAVIS, JR.: I think all of our coaches in have the whole city behind us. It goes to show how general take a great pride in whatever Coach Sampson much they support us, even when they can't make the says. They're very detail oriented. They know all the games, get a watch party and almost have the whole strengths and weaknesses. They'll have us prepared entire city at watch. It's cool. We get pictures and little every game. messages of like the watch parties or videos or whatever the case may be. It's really cool. Q. This one is obvious, your connection with Houston. Kelvin talked a couple days ago how you GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: Definitely cool, definitely a were the first one to really buy into the vision and blessing. A testament to how far we've come, you things were still in their foundational stage. He got know I mean? I remember there were times we didn't your buy-in and other buy-ins. How would you have that. Like I said, we used to go to frat houses and describe your connection to the program, the city, they used to rush us off the doorstep. Now everybody the fans, local basketball? It's so deep with you. is supporting us. I'm thankful for that and the fans and GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: It's definitely a part of me, the support they give us. definitely a part of who I am, a big chunk of my heart -- I'm just Houston in a nutshell. I don't even know. I love Q. Lot of talk about Tom Izzo in the last few days. my city, love them a whole lot, born and raised. Love Just curious 1 to 15 with Coach Sampson, 1 being my school. I get to wear "Houston" on my chest. Can't mellow and 5 being ultra fiery, where does he fall put a price tag on that. You can't. I'm thankful Coach on that little scale and have you seen him mellow Sampson gave me the opportunity to do so in front of at all since you've been here? my family and friends every night. I'm just blessed to GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: What is 10? (laughter). You be in this position. know, Coach Sampson -- no, Coach Sampson -- we have a different relationship. So you know he's a fiery Q. Just curious in terms of Kelvin and the NBA, guy, very fiery guy. But at the end of the day, you know does his team there, does it show up for you guys that it's from the heart and he means well. You know at all? Does that manifest in practice or film study what I mean? Lot of times as competitors, we get or communication with you guys, just the time that competitive, but Coach Sampson definitely -- he's just he spent in the NBA? -- he just -- I don't know. He just knows me for the COREY DAVIS, JR.: Yeah. His coaching style most part. It's a great characteristic to have as a definitely trickles from the NBA. You can tell how he coach. runs the program in general. It's a level of intensity and just like overall intelligence that's not normal in most COREY DAVIS, JR.: Honestly, Coach Sampson is the Division 1 coaches. You can definitely tell, especially first coach I've ever had that I actually feared and loved when he speaks. at the same time (laughter). He's just one of those individuals that have a personality that's unmatched. GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: He likes to tell stories. He He'll definitely show that he loves you but just in his has very vivid imagery. own way. He's definitely -- he's an amazing -- just charisma about him. Like "Son, you know Tim Duncan, he loved to be coached. Though guys loved to be coached." GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: That's a great word, "charisma." Great word. I think him being around those guys. It was a Hall of Fame -- Hall of Fame guys. Knowing that they want to Q. Galen, you talked about it, it's a little bit of a leap be coached and coaches, Coach Popovich used to get of faith on your part to get to see where the on them like he does us, definitely makes me feel like -- program is now versus where it was when you makes us feel like we're not alone because everybody were being recruited. Could you have imagined has the same treatment. Coach Sampson, he's you guys would be here to four years later? definitely the smartest person I've been around in GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: I always dreamed about it. I terms of just knowing what to do. Yeah, definitely think never thought I'd actually get here. When I was the NBA definitely helped him. making my decision, I wasn't worried about no March Madness. I just wanted to just play, first and foremost. Q. I'm assuming you've noticed the support you're The more I played and the more I -- my freshman year,

Rev #1 by #274 at 2019-03-23 20:56:00 GMT page 2 of 6 we had a really good team. We didn't make the NCAA Sunday. Tournament. But it became more of a reality, more of a goal, and it started to seem more attainable. Q. Kelvin, John Houston has been with you guys since '97. He obviously pre-dates you. He's one of I think our last year we definitely kicked down the door those people seen so many things happen, the for years of success to come in the future. So, but to rebuild of the program. What does it mean to be one of the first guys to buy into a vision, I'm just somebody like him that you've dealt with for five blessed that -- I'm just blessed that I did, because Lord years to be in this situation and having watched knows where I would be. this program go through so many different changes? Q. Ohio State players were saying last night part of KELVIN SAMPSON: You know, those trainers, they're their success is buy-in, that they're buying in worth their weight in gold. They have so many finally late in the season. What does that mean to responsibilities. John and I talk at 8:30 every morning you when someone says buy into a program, buy during the season from October 1st until -- unless into what coach is trying to do? What does that we're on a road trip together. We go through all the look like? injuries. He has a great feel for people. Kids will talk to COREY DAVIS, JR.: I think buying into, whether it be a the trainer in ways maybe they won't talk to the coach. team or program as a whole, is just sacrifice. Lot of people don't understand the things, especially kids John is just a great person. I've only seen John cry coming from high school, thinking they're more than one time and his son got accepted to Naval Academy what they are, instead of being that main guy or go-to and when his son left, Trey, because he's really, really guy, you have to find your role and become great at tight with his family. His wife was a gymnast at the that. That's probably the start of buying into any University of Kentucky. Trey got accepted into the program or any team in general. Naval Academy and just a big time family man from a great family. GALEN ROBINSON, JR.: Coach Kelvin has a saying. "Just surrender," you know what I mean? When you I was impressed with John from the get-go. I had a surrender, you just become selfless. And when you great trainer at Oklahoma, Alex Brown. When I came become selfless, it's easier to make that transition to over to the University of Houston, Alex called and told buying into a program and the vision as well as I'm me about John, how good he was. buying into the culture. And once you buy in, you have a chance to do something special, and that's really the So, there's a couple positions that you don't want to big key is getting everybody on the team to buy in 1 change and the trainer is one of them. We've been through 12, 1 through 13. blessed to have John for these five years, and he's great for this basketball program. THE MODERATOR: Anything else for the Cougars of Houston? Q. Kelvin, prepping a team. You've never -- you haven't played and you only have one day's notice All right. Gentlemen. Thank you very much. Best of or so, couple days notice. Part of the tournament I luck tomorrow. know, but the challenges of prepping for a situation like that? Now the head coach of the Cougars, Kelvin Sampson. KELVIN SAMPSON: We're all in it. Whoever is playing We're going to ask him to make a statement about the today or tomorrow, doing the same thing, you know? day in between games and then we'll go to questions. I was watching a game before I left the room, who was Kelvin, please. it, LSU and Maryland. Just do the best you can. I don't overanalyze it or sweat, worry about it. We KELVIN SAMPSON: Blessed to still be playing. After watched them play last night and didn't know who we tomorrow night -- I was just talking with the lady were going to play until later, after 11:00, I think. outside. This time last week everybody was excited about Selection Sunday and kind of like Christmas I just watched them on my laptop. I just watched a morning. You don't know where you're going to be or couple of their games. We played Michigan last year in who you're playing and so much excitement about that. the second round. So we're familiar with a lot of their Tomorrow night there's only 16 teams left. players. I watched them play Michigan to see how Michigan defended some of their actions. So, lot of basketball to be played and we're excited -- having one last night and get a chance to play again on Whoever you play the second round is always going to

Rev #1 by #274 at 2019-03-23 20:56:00 GMT page 3 of 6 be a good team, and Ohio State is a good team. wore a coat and tie. That's one reason why I always wear a coat and tie. He always did. He always had a Q. Lot of talk about Tom Izzo and his methodology towel over his shoulder, but never heard him raise his the last few days. You've done this a long time. I voice much. But that was his personality. I didn't try to assume you have some thoughts on this. Is this a -- I tried to be like him in a lot of ways, but I tried to be societal issue or what do you think of the heat he's like me more. You have to ask those guys from taking and is it warranted, is it not? Montana Tech and Washington State. I'm sure they KELVIN SAMPSON: You know, there's -- coaching is all will tell you the same thing. about relationships. I've seen that guy before Tom Izzo. I've seen that guy. But I also have seen the Q. I'm interested in what you said a couple days relationship with that coach and that kid and that kid ago about delegating and what you learned from embraces that and expects it. Popp and Kevin McHale. On your staff what does that look like, the communication process? Do you I think it's one of those things it looks a lot worse than it guys divvy it up? Do you have a coach who is in actually is. I don't know enough about banking to charge of one specific part of the game planning? comment on a bad investment. I don't know enough KELVIN SAMPSON: No. I do the assigning. about what a good surgery is or a bad surgery. The Everybody's personality is different. I don't think -- thing about coaching is everybody is a coach. there's some things assistant coaches aren't ready to Everybody has an opinion. Everybody knows what do. They're not the head coach. They can do a lot of they can do or what they can't do. head coaching things, but like I want my -- the guy that I think is the -- does the best job, the most thorough The only thing that bothers me is evaluating the person job, is going to put the time and energy and go the you don't know. It's amazing how we hold other people extra mile in terms of scouting or game prep, I want to standards we won't hold our own self. So, to me him to have the hardest teams. Because you're a that's Tom Izzo coaching his team. That's the way he really good team doesn't mean you're a hard scout. coaches and there's not a kid that signs with Tom that Sometimes the really, really good teams are easiest doesn't know what they're getting into, and yet they do. this teams to scout because they just got good players. So, I don't see a problem. They don't run anything tricky. They line up and we're getting ready to give it to the fullback, stop us. Q. I asked your players, 1 being mellow and 5 being Whether you can or can't, that's up to you. fiery, they said, What about 10?" KELVIN SAMPSON: Was that 5 and 5? Is that how We have some really good coaches in our league that you got to the 10? They both said 5 so we added the require -- like one of my rules is you have to watch the two together? last five games. This time of year we don't have time to go watch Ohio State's game in November and Q. Have you mellowed over -- just in your journey December. This time of year you are who you are in terms of -- recently. You go watch the last five games. And then I KELVIN SAMPSON: I don't know if that's for me to want somebody that's going to take the time to go look answer. Montana State was a long time ago. When I at every close game they've had, say, in conference was at Montana Tech, I didn't know if I was on foot or season. What did they do under -- under 30 seconds horseback. I was just a young guy that -- when you're left, they called time out, what did they run? They young and you lose a game, you never think you're needed a 3, what did they run? They needed a 2, what going to win another one. I wasn't a very good coach, did they run? Baseline out of bounds. though. I didn't know how bad -- maybe "bad" is the wrong term. I didn't know how inadequate I was as a Not every assistant will be thorough maybe in coach until I got older. And sometimes I always felt like something like that. That's why as a coach I assign the I should have called those kids at Montana tech and games. Once they do the games, I let them use their apologize to them for not knowing any better than I did. creativity in scouting reports. I don't have a template for that. I try to get better -- I was 24 when I went there. I became the head coach when I was 25. It just shows Q. Kelvin, having been to the NCAA Tournament a you how hard or bad a job it was they would hire a guy number of times over the years, is there still a point like me. It was a good job. "Here, give it to him, what of making it special for yourself, coaching staff, the hell we got to lose?" I don't think they ever had a players, while also dealing with the things like the winning season. quick turnaround and things like that? KELVIN SAMPSON: Absolutely. This is a great But I tried hard, but my dad was real -- my dad always experience for these kids. I want them to know how

Rev #1 by #274 at 2019-03-23 20:56:00 GMT page 4 of 6 special it is. I don't care what school you come from, positions where you have to play him one-on-one doesn't matter. I've been to the NCAA Tournament, it sometime. was the PAC-10 then, PAC-10, Big 12, Big Ten, American Athletic Conference, it's all the same. There The kid that we've played similar to him was last year is no difference. It's all the same. the kid for Wichita State, Shaq Morris. Very similar. Shaq wasn't as skilled as this kid, didn't have -- he When you're sitting in front of that television and you couldn't step out and make a 3, for instance. Wasn't get a little butterflies and all of a sudden they say in the going to lead the team in assists from the 5 spot. But Mid West Regional, the 3-seed, University of Houston, he could score the ball just as good. We haven't seen here comes the euphoria. The only difference is cell a kid that -- his size that can post you, pass it, shoot it, phones. Back in the PAC-10 days no cell phones back score it like him. then, just -- that's a lot different. I guess that just shows you how old I'm getting. I'm not sure a lot of leagues have that. I don't think it has anything to do with the conference they're in. It's I still like to see the excitement. Like this morning unique to the kid. He's a really good player. when we came down for -- the coaches met earlier this morning on some scouting report stuff, watched film. Q. Ohio State was saying last night that over the Just seeing the kids come down for breakfast and just last two weeks, they've become more aligned to the talking to them and asking them what was the system, the buy-in has been there. What does experience like? Just seeing their excitement in their "buy-in" mean to you and how challenging is that eyes. It's different. It could be gone just like that. to get everyone doing what they're supposed to do at this time of year? You know, the thing that's always -- I've never gotten KELVIN SAMPSON: I think it all comes down to used to is the finality of the last game. Texas Tech is accountability and demand. I think the most difficult going to play Buffalo. Think how good those two teams thing for coaches is confrontation, because a lot of are? Somebody's season is going to be over. They're coaches are passive-aggressive people. They're afraid done. No more scouting reports, no more practice or to confront. Most people don't succeed because of meetings. It's over. Then you're lost. You don't know that one thing. I see it all the time. They're afraid to what to do with your time. confront. Because they're afraid of failure and no, they're afraid of this. The common denominator, We play Ohio State tomorrow night at 7:40. They've they're afraid. got a good team. We've got a good team. One of those teams when they get up Monday morning, you're Why would you be afraid? You talk about Tom Izzo. not going to go to practice Monday morning, not going He's not afraid. He knows how he wants this team to to have anymore staff meetings with this particular play. He knows what he wants this team to look like. team. He's going to hold you accountable. He's going to demand that you do it right. To me that's one of the You think about the seniors. All those things that make common denominators of all successful people in any going to the tournament special. And we try to do walk of life is that they understand the importance and some neat little things for these kids to have as how to confront. momentos as things they can remember. They'll remember this for the rest of their lives. I got a call So, that's where buy-in starts. Not every kid wants to. yesterday from a kid that played for me at a former They want to do it their way. Well, I'm not interested in school that -- actually this morning, he saw us play last their way. Here is the way we do it. Your best friend is night. He played for me 20-some years ago. He says your senior leadership. Just because you have seniors he still remembers. Good news is I still remember. I don't mean that they're leaders. I've seen -- some of still remember. the worst leaders I've seen have been seniors over the years. Just like maturity. Some of the most immature Q. Kelvin, Ohio State, physical, Big Ten basketball. people I've ever seen is between 40 and 65. Age has Do you expect a game like that? Or is that -- you nothing to do with maturity, just like leadership doesn't dealt with Michigan last year in the second round, have anything to do with seniority. or is that idea out dated in this modern age? KELVIN SAMPSON: It is with this team because of the That's where recruiting is important, but being able to Wesson kid. He's big and strong and physical. The evaluate in recruiting is just as important. fact that he's big and strong and physical is not what makes him really good. It's his basketball IQ. He's got Q. You take a lot of pride of what you've built here great hands. He understands how to play. They do a at U of H. You've been asked this before. When good job of playing through him. They put you in

Rev #1 by #274 at 2019-03-23 20:56:00 GMT page 5 of 6 you're on the stage, what does it mean to take all of Probably should have lost of that one, too. Corey this in with your kids right there by your side and Davis got a rebound and put in to put us up 2 with 30- this journey that you've been on with them, they're some seconds to go. able to enjoy this along side you right now? KELVIN SAMPSON: That's more important than All these teams have good players, especially guards. anything. You know, I wish my whole team could be up That's why the Wesson kid stands out because not here just being able to answer questions and see their everybody has a good big. Watching this morning -- name here and read their quotes. I think -- to me that's didn't see Ohio State play all year long. Didn't know a good experience for them, you know? You guys don't their players. I'm sure they had not seen us and I need to ask me anything else. I didn't need to come in doubt they knew who our players were, either, or Iowa here today. Brian started in on John Houston. That's State. But watching Iowa State and Ohio State, that when I knew the well was getting dry. Asked me about was a hard match-up for Ohio State because they had the trainer (laughter). Good Lord. Just how deep is nobody to guard Wesson. that well? So Mississippi State, Liberty, Wofford and -- who did You think about it. Wouldn't it be neat for kids like Wofford beat the other day? Who? Seton Hall. you've seen Corey and Galen and come in here. I've People think you should win those games. Those got three freshmen, all pretty good players. Kind of games are hard to play. You got to play your best to neat for them to get interviewed, you know. They win that night because those teams will. They only pucker up a little bit, but they see those cameras and play one way and that's good. see you guys. They wouldn't know whether they were pitching or catching. It would be neat for them to do it. THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Coach. Good luck. That's kind of what to me it's all about, you know.

It's hard to win a game, it really is. It's hard to win a game. I remember early in the year we played at BYU and played really good and won, and then two days -- three days later we almost lot of to Rio Grande Valley. We tried so hard in that game, but it just seems like we were running uphill the whole game, just couldn't get any traction, but it wasn't because of lack of effort. We finally won that win, but that was such a hard game for us to win. And in the non-conference you see so many upsets. We didn't get upset that night but we probably should have. They outplayed us. They outcoached us. That guy did a great job. His name was Lou Hill. His team was well prepared. My team was not. I didn't have them prepared. Not nearly as good as he did.

Then when you get in these tournaments -- like we played Liberty last year. We lot of -- I'm trying to remember who we lost of to. We lost to somebody not very good. Then the next game we played Liberty. Most important win of the year last year was beating Liberty at Liberty. We were supposed to go to San Juan -- no, Virgin Islands.

Hurricane, they had to relocate it. We signed up for St Thomas in the Virgin Islands and we got Lynchburg, Virginia. Somewhere along the line, that was not good. I think we were at the Hampton -- what's the name of that hotel, Hampton Inn, is that it? I think we were at the Hampton Inn. We had to go out and get our meals. It was a tough trip.

But we played Liberty. And I was watching some highlights of Liberty's game and Mississippi State. Same kids. That was a hard game for to us win.

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