I appreciate how OU WBB fans are also men's fans

[NMSooner'80]

Of course, most of us are OU alumni, so it would seem to come naturally that our women's basketball fans are also solid fans of the OU men's program.

I've seen it, though, when a university's fan base had some division in it. I lived in Albuquerque for the previous 21 years, and it was strange to me how at least a faction of the UNM women's fan base just despised their own men's team. This sad faction of "Lady Lobo fanatics" lived to bash not only the male Lobos when they lost, but they also loved trashing the men's version of the game in general. For some reason, they thought it was a way to build support for their team.

It did pretty much get started when a local "radio personality" became the head cheerleader for the women's team, while sniping at the men's team practically in the same breath. This guy, while well-meaning most of the time, was overdoing it over the women's team because the women's coach (Don Flanagan) was a local high school coaching legend and the men's coach was a dreaded Ivy Leaguer.

To his credit, former UNM A.D. Rudy Davalos tried to nip that nonsense in the bud, when people started trashing the men's team on talk radio. But it got way out of hand, especially after 2000. People actually started talking like the women's team could beat the Lobo men's team, and the thought of it happening around 1998 was downright laughable.

I did suspect that there was a rift that developed between the two coaching staffs in the late 90's, and it probably carried over some after the "turn of the century." Some of my friends are die-hard fans of both teams, but others who grew up with the men's team got sick of the badmouthing and quit caring about the overhyped "Lady Lobos."

So, at least for this OU grad now back in the state, it is refreshing to know that our teams are followed closely, without such pitiful division that I witnessed for so long, out west.

 

[rocjunkie]

Nice post. I don't understand how you can be a fan of one and not the other. I like the "women's game" more just because of the fundamentals and still more of the original pure game of basketball. With that being said, I still enjoy watching the Sooner men play and wish for their success in achieving their goals.

 

[scrybe]

There are a couple guys (girls, possibly) who normally just post on the men's board. They call themselves OU fans, but on the rare occasions when they do come over to the ladies board, it's to slam the Sooner women. Well, in truth I suppose their main target is Sherri, but their bashing still has the same effect, wouldn't you say?

 

[tycat947]

There are a couple guys (girls, possibly) who normally just post on the men's board. They call themselves OU fans, but on the rare occasions when they do come over to the ladies board, it's to slam the Sooner women. Well, in truth I suppose their main target is Sherri, but their bashing still has the same effect, wouldn't you say?

You notice that too???

I want OU to kick ass in tiddlywinks! And support ALL athletic teams and academic programs although not at any cost! Boomer Sooner!

 

[Oliver Hardy]

I like watching the OU men, but, frankly, Kelvin Sampson (even with his record) and Jeff Capel ruined it for me.

I used to keep unofficial stats for the team during Tubbs' reign. That was great and where I really became a fan.

By the time Capel was sent packing, I had lost most of my interest. Dropped my season tickets. Got to where I wouldn't even watch it on TV.

I like Lon. I think he's a perfect fit for OU and has done everything right. I try to see or tape every game and I've been to the arena once or twice this year.

Perhaps I'll get the desire to return to LNC on a more consistent basis. I hope the best for them. I think Lon has done a remarkable job of rebuilding the massive train wreck that was waiting for him when he arrived in Norman.

He's getting closer and closer every season to returning the Sooners to Top 10 glory.

 

[SoonerNorm]

Lon is doing a great job recruiting, coaching, and building interest in the program. He doesn't have a final four team yet but he is making progress toward getting there.

 

[NMSooner'80]

I'd understand if people had a bit of a temporary snit with the OU men's team after tonight's debacle in Corn Ville. But I know it'd be only temporary.

People might also be amused at the thought that some in Albuquerque had back when Beky Preston signed with OU over UNM back in 2002. Some of them really believed she picked an inferior program when she signed with us. I felt mildly guilty, at least where my "support all their teams" Lobo fans were concerned, when OU popped their bubble twice at the Pit in the same season (the Paris' freshman year). But, I will admit to enjoying the misery of those who insulted OU at various times (like when they thought they beat themselves in the WNIT and that the rematch was a foregone conclusion they'd win right before New Year's).

 

[badger]

This sad faction of "Lady Lobo fanatics" lived to bash not only the male Lobos when they lost, but they also loved trashing the men's version of the game in general. For some reason, they thought it was a way to build support for their team

New Mexico to the Big 12? Or would they have to bring along their Aggy cousin during any conference move as well

Seriously now. Lubbock isn't too far from New Mexico and if only they didn't suck at football so much, they'd be a very viable candidate, especially after the Big 12 lost so many flagships in the last conference reallignment mess.

 

[NMSooner'80]

New Mexico to the Big 12? Or would they have to bring along their Aggy cousin during any conference move as well

Seriously now. Lubbock isn't too far from New Mexico and if only they didn't suck at football so much, they'd be a very viable candidate, especially after the Big 12 lost so many flagships in the last conference reallignment mess.

NMSU has never been in the same league, or at least not in my lifetime (and I'm old!). That wouldn't have been an issue, but the big one is that they don't support football even when it's at least decent. They let their ideal coach get away through non-support, and I also believe because they had an A.D. who started listening to the "this team is boring" nonsense and helped urge him out the door back in '08.

I'm barely exaggerating when I say that the locals seem to think the 11th Commandment is "Thou Shalt Only Be a 'Basketball Town' " in Albuquerque. And their basketball hasn't traditionally been as good as ours, male or female.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

I started watching OU men in the early '70's. We wasted Adams and would always get beat by the three local schools. When i got to OU we finally won the big 8 and then came Billy. 1988 left a huge bad taste in my mouth but I still plugged along. I didn't mind Sampson but it infuriated me they way he had som much talent and couldn't score at times. Had it not been for Q turning his ankle he might have gotten a NC and then who knows. I hated the way he left and made us sort of a laughingstock. I never really understood Capel but gave him a chance and supported him. I've been a Kruger fan since he was a player and loved him while I lived in Vegas. I think he will get us back to where we need to be but these steps forward and back are killing me. He'll do better when he gets the horses necessary to compete.

As far as the women I began following them when i moved back here in 1999. They were fun to watch and had some good players. We'd go see them when the tourney was here and my daughter enjoyed going to games and meeting players. I enjoy the women's game more so than the mens. I get tired of the mens' game looking like the NBA with traveling, and palming and seemingly trying to get on SC and not really play the game. Sherri has had her chances but for some reason just not quite enough. I have my pet peeves but don't we all. The joy and closeness shown by this year's team is great to me. I have really seen it when i've seen the guys in person.