Houston's Kelvin Sampson Draws Up Clutch Play for Unsung Shooter Chase McCarty

Sampson's faith in McCarty pays off as Houston holds off BYU in Big 12 Tournament

Mar. 13, 2026 at 11:03am

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In a tight game against BYU in the Big 12 Tournament, Houston coach Kelvin Sampson drew up a play for little-used guard Chase McCarty, who had not hit a shot all game. Sampson's belief in McCarty paid off as the redshirt freshman buried a crucial 3-pointer to help Houston hold off BYU and freshman star AJ Dybantsa. The win sets up a semifinal matchup with Kansas as Houston continues its quest for a deep NCAA Tournament run.

Why it matters

Sampson's willingness to call McCarty's number in a tight game showcases his ability to get the most out of his entire roster. McCarty had been an afterthought for much of the season, but Sampson recognized his potential as a shooter and trusted him in a big moment. This type of player development and trust-building will be crucial for Houston as it aims to make a deep March Madness run.

The details

With Houston clinging to a 61-58 lead and star freshman point guard Kingston Flemings on the bench with four fouls, Sampson drew up a play to get McCarty an open look from 3-point range. McCarty, who averaged just 3.9 points per game on the season, buried the shot to extend Houston's lead. Flemings later hit a dagger 3-pointer of his own to seal the win, while Houston's defense limited BYU's star freshman AJ Dybantsa to just 3-of-10 shooting in the second half.

  • Houston led BYU 61-58 with under 2 minutes remaining in the game.

The players

Kelvin Sampson

The Hall of Fame-finalist head coach of the University of Houston, known for his expertise in drawing up effective out-of-timeout plays.

Chase McCarty

A 20-year-old redshirt freshman guard for Houston who had averaged just 3.9 points per game on the season, but emerged as a key shooter for the team down the stretch.

Kingston Flemings

Houston's star freshman point guard and a projected top-6 NBA Draft pick, who hit a crucial 3-pointer late to seal the win over BYU.

AJ Dybantsa

BYU's star freshman forward, who was held in check by Houston's defense in the second half after a strong start to the game.

Emanuel Sharp

Houston's defensive stopper, who made life difficult for the taller Dybantsa despite the size mismatch.

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What they’re saying

“It was huge. It was a great call by Coach. And I mean Chase was talking about it. He kind of was reading the defense the whole game. So he did a great job slipping. Wide open shot. Chase doesn't miss those.”

— Kingston Flemings, Houston point guard (PaperCity)

“Be in the gaps early. Stay in the gaps. It's almost like building a wall. And that's why he didn't get anything easy. Our defense was great in the second half.”

— Kelvin Sampson, Houston head coach (Twitter)

“They don't expect him to take it. But we know he has that in him. That's in his DNA. That's why he's here. That's why we love him.”

— Anthony Goldwire, Houston assistant coach (PaperCity)

What’s next

Houston will face Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals on Friday night, with a chance to avenge its only double-digit loss of the season and continue building momentum for the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Kelvin Sampson's ability to get the most out of his entire roster, including unsung players like Chase McCarty, is a major reason why Houston remains a threat to make a deep March Madness run. The Cougars' balanced attack and stifling defense make them a tough out for any opponent.