INDIANAPOLIS — Kelvin Sampson has come to expect the late-night phone calls from Rick Barnes. The Houston coach can’t begin to predict Barnes’ reason for calling after decades of picking up the phone.

Rick Barnes and Kevin Sampson, both coaching legends without a national title, hope at least one of them end up reaching that elusive goal.

INDIANAPOLIS — Kelvin Sampson has come to expect the late-night phone calls from Rick Barnes. The Houston coach can’t begin to predict Barnes’ reason for calling after decades of picking ...

Tennessee coach Rick Barnes and Houston coach Kelvin Sampson are longtime friends with similar coaching styles. Both coaches are known for their demanding coaching styles that emphasize hard work ...

INDIANAPOLIS — Some nights Kelvin Sampson’s phone will ring. Rick Barnes has a question. “He won’t even say hello. He will just say, you still run your 3-2-zone? I’ll say, yeah ...

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson estimated he's been friends with Tennessee coach Rick Barnes for "40-something years" ahead of the Cougars' clash with the Volunteers in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

INDIANAPOLIS — In a matchup steeped in friendship and mutual respect, Houston's Kelvin Sampson and Tennessee's Rick Barnes will face off in the Elite Eight, continuing a relationship that spans ...