The journey began for Kelvin Sampson in Butte, Mont., arguably as far from college basketball’s grandest stage as one could get. Forty-four years later, he has the University of Houston just 40 minutes away from its — and his — first national championship in Monday night’s title game against Florida at the Alamodome.

The state of North Carolina will have plenty of Houston fans on Saturday night as the Cougars take on Duke in a highly anticipated Final Four battle between No. 1 seeds. Most of those from the Tar Heel State favoring the team in red will do so as North Carolina fans hoping to see the rival Blue Devils get eliminated.