Huge game, but one of many big ones in 40-year history of LNC

[NMSooner'80]

This game tomorrow will be incredibly huge, for not only how this season goes but also for future seasons (recruiting, confidence as a program, etc.).

It was actually a road win vs. KU in '76 that started getting OU fans to notice the basketball team. The win there in '84, while triggering a lot of hard feelings on both sides, was also huge for that team, because it probably helped OU get some national TV games in the mid-80's.

That said, I thought of a few other significant OU home games of the last 40 years, in this the 40th year of the LNC.

- First home win - vs. OSU, January of '76
- First sellout - vs. Missouri, February of '77
- First home game to clinch a conference title - vs. KSU in the season finale in '79,
- First home postseason (non-Big 8) win - vs. Cal-Irvine in '82.
- First win over a No. 1 team - vs. UNLV, January of '87.
- First win in a 1-2 matchup at home - vs. Arizona, 1989 (also known in my household as the Loot Olson love-fest, but he did lose!)
- First win over the eventual NCAA champion - fall of '89 when OU beat UNLV, which later crushed Duke for the title.

I didn't see all of those, but I did see the first five games on that list. List some other milestone games in the history of the "Noble."

 

[Big Old Booger]

This game tomorrow will be incredibly huge, for not only how this season goes but also for future seasons (recruiting, confidence as a program, etc.).

It was actually a road win vs. KU in '76 that started getting OU fans to notice the basketball team. The win there in '84, while triggering a lot of hard feelings on both sides, was also huge for that team, because it probably helped OU get some national TV games in the mid-80's.

That said, I thought of a few other significant OU home games of the last 40 years, in this the 40th year of the LNC.

- First home win - vs. OSU, January of '76
- First sellout - vs. Missouri, February of '77
- First home game to clinch a conference title - vs. KSU in the season finale in '79,
- First home postseason (non-Big 8) win - vs. Cal-Irvine in '82.
- First win over a No. 1 team - vs. UNLV, January of '87.
- First win in a 1-2 matchup at home - vs. Arizona, 1989 (also known in my household as the Loot Olson love-fest, but he did lose!)
- First win over the eventual NCAA champion - fall of '89 when OU beat UNLV, which later crushed Duke for the title.

I didn't see all of those, but I did see the first five games on that list. List some other milestone games in the history of the "Noble."

You can't exclude the 88 OU-MU game where Tubbs grabs the microphone to address the crowd. Also the 90 MU and KU games which were back-to-back in 3 days and both were ranked #1 when OU beat them.

Other big games were the Mizzou game in 82 which OU lost but the place was packed and loud.

I also think you have to include the home games where we clinched the Big 8 regular season crown.

 

[Zimwillett]

This is easily the biggest game at the LNC in over a decade.

 

[MichaelM]

- First win over the eventual NCAA champion - fall of '89 when OU beat UNLV, which later crushed Duke for the title.

Shouldn't this be spring of '88 when OU thumped Kansas for the second time that season?

 

[Larry72]

This is easily the biggest game at the LNC in over a decade.

I would heartily agree. Its big for the team, fans, program, and state.

 

[tycat947]

This game tomorrow will be incredibly huge, for not only how this season goes but also for future seasons (recruiting, confidence as a program, etc.).

It was actually a road win vs. KU in '76 that started getting OU fans to notice the basketball team. The win there in '84, while triggering a lot of hard feelings on both sides, was also huge for that team, because it probably helped OU get some national TV games in the mid-80's.

That said, I thought of a few other significant OU home games of the last 40 years, in this the 40th year of the LNC.

- First home win - vs. OSU, January of '76
- First sellout - vs. Missouri, February of '77
- First home game to clinch a conference title - vs. KSU in the season finale in '79,
- First home postseason (non-Big 8) win - vs. Cal-Irvine in '82.
- First win over a No. 1 team - vs. UNLV, January of '87.
- First win in a 1-2 matchup at home - vs. Arizona, 1989 (also known in my household as the Loot Olson love-fest, but he did lose!)
- First win over the eventual NCAA champion - fall of '89 when OU beat UNLV, which later crushed Duke for the title.

I didn't see all of those, but I did see the first five games on that list. List some other milestone games in the history of the "Noble."

+1! Good memories!

 

[NMSooner'80]

You can't exclude the 88 OU-MU game where Tubbs grabs the microphone to address the crowd. Also the 90 MU and KU games which were back-to-back in 3 days and both were ranked #1 when OU beat them.

Other big games were the Mizzou game in 82 which OU lost but the place was packed and loud.

I also think you have to include the home games where we clinched the Big 8 regular season crown.

I was trying to keep my original list to "firsts," although I will admit I missed it when I said OU's win over UNLV was the first one over the eventual NCAA champ. I still have nightmares over the mere fact they did win "The Mistake of '88." It was the closest I've ever come to crying after an OU loss in a sporting event.

 

[opsooner]

It's interesting that you mention the Cal Irvine game as one of the big games. I bet not many people even remember that game but I do. There was not an empty seat in the arena and we were behind early but came back and won. I thought that game was the one that really opened the gate for the Tubbs' era.

 

[KBaden145]

Georgia Tech early 80's. Huge buildup.


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[Big Old Booger]

It's interesting that you mention the Cal Irvine game as one of the big games. I bet not many people even remember that game but I do. There was not an empty seat in the arena and we were behind early but came back and won. I thought that game was the one that really opened the gate for the Tubbs' era.

I was at that game. Also went to the Dayton game a few nights later. I was 12 at the time so me and my dad drove over from Chickasha.

That UC-Irvine game was awesome because we made a huge comeback. Calvin Pierce had 2 monster slams to lead the comeback. The crowd really won that game though we did start hitting shots which also helped.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Georgia Tech early 80's. Huge buildup.


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1985. Last game of the regular season if I remember correctly. Trailed the entire game until late then capped off by a big time Wayman backwards slam.