Jon Scheyer’s first official game as Duke’s head coach was set to be an extraordinary challenge, but it began with an unusual decision—he flew his team to Houston for a secret preseason scrimmage. Scheyer, aiming to give his team the best possible test before the season, specifically chose Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Cougars.
At just 37 years old, Scheyer was significantly younger than Sampson, but he admired the toughness and defensive prowess of Sampson’s coaching style, feeling that this would provide the best preparation for his team. This choice proved to be a critical moment in shaping the future of Duke’s program.
The scrimmage on October 29, 2022, was not a typical preseason event. Duke and Houston played a highly physical, intense game. Duke may have lost the scrimmage, but for Scheyer, it was more about testing his team’s resilience than the outcome.
Duke guard Tyrese Proctor recalled the scrimmage as an eye-opener, noting how physical and fast the game felt compared to anything they had faced before. Despite the physical toll, Scheyer saw his team’s ability to punch back, which was a key takeaway from the experience.
Kelvin Sampson’s son, Kellen, who is expected to take over as head coach of the Cougars in the future, also reflected on the scrimmage. He was impressed by Scheyer’s calm leadership and his ability to handle the intense situation with poise.
Kellen recognized Scheyer’s natural presence as a head coach, remarking that he communicated with ease and looked like a head coach in the making. Kellen believed that Scheyer would do well, and this early confidence in Scheyer’s leadership would prove to be prescient.
Jon Scheyer (NCAA)Scheyer Builds Duke’s Future With Fresh Vision Leading to Success Against Houston
Scheyer approached the Duke program with a fresh perspective, determined not to merely continue the legacy of Coach Mike Krzyzewski, but to build something new. He changed the team’s offensive strategies and updated their social media presence, aligning the program more with his vision for the future.
This willingness to embrace change and coach Duke in his own way was a sign of Scheyer’s security and courage. The scrimmage against Houston, while a tough test, had already demonstrated that Scheyer could handle adversity and lead his team through challenging situations.
A year after the scrimmage, Duke and Houston met again, this time in a much more high-stakes game—the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Duke won the game 54-51, propelling them to their 17th Final Four appearance.
For Duke, the victory over Houston was a reminder of how far the team had come under Scheyer’s leadership. For Houston, it was a tough loss, but one that would fuel their motivation moving forward, showing them just how close they were to reaching the pinnacle of college basketball.
Houston’s basketball program was in dire straits when Kelvin Sampson arrived in 2014. The program hadn’t seen the NCAA Tournament in over two decades, and the facilities were in disrepair.
However, Sampson’s arrival marked the beginning of a long-term rebuilding effort that involved not just improving the team, but revitalizing the entire culture of the program. He and his family were committed to the project, working tirelessly to bring Houston basketball back to national prominence.
Jon Scheyer (NCAA)Sampson Family Revitalizes Houston Basketball Overcoming Challenges, Transforming Culture, Achieving National Prominence
Upon arriving in Houston, the Sampson family was confronted with significant challenges. The Hofheinz Pavilion, the Cougars’ home arena, was in terrible condition, with rats and birds inhabiting the space. Even basic things like turning on the lights became a challenge.
However, Sampson was determined to make the program work, transforming the arena into the modern Fertitta Center and changing the culture from the ground up. This transformation was not just about basketball—it was about revitalizing the spirit of the university and the city.
The Sampson family played a crucial role in Houston’s transformation. Karen Sampson, Kelvin’s wife, and Lauren Sampson, their daughter, were instrumental in the program’s success. Lauren, in particular, became a driving force behind the program’s revitalization, even taking on a significant role in the basketball operations.
The Sampsons worked together to rebuild the program, from the facilities to the fanbase, ensuring that Houston’s rise to national prominence was a family affair. Their dedication helped turn the program around from one of the worst situations in college basketball to a national contender.
Under Sampson’s leadership, Houston quickly became a force in college basketball. After a disappointing first season, the Cougars never looked back, consistently winning over 20 games each year. By 2023, Houston had become a perennial contender, and Sampson led the team to its third Final Four appearance.
The Sampson family’s dedication to the program, combined with Sampson’s coaching expertise, had transformed Houston from a struggling program to a national powerhouse, making them one of the most formidable teams in college basketball.
