Slight OU ties to the "Jimmy V in '83" story on ESPN

[NMSooner'80]

The one about the 1983 NC State team on various ESPN channels is a real emotional roller-coaster ride. It focused a lot on a players' reunion of that '83 team to talk about the national title run

Two slight OU connections to this whole story:

1. Jimmy Valvano was interviewed for the OU job in '80 but Billy Tubbs got the job.

2. Max Perry, who had a brief stint at OU back in '78 as a backup point guard, was their grad assistant in '83 at NC State. Perry was slated to be on the '79 OU team that won the Big 8 (regular season and tournament), but he transferred out just before the season started.

Another slight connection was that one of those NCSU players, Ernie Myers, was still on the roster when they came to Norman in 1986 for a really good game that OU pulled out by four, I believe. The next year, OU went to Raleigh and almost blew a 20-point lead, before hanging on to win, again by four (I think).

Personal footnote: I was leaving in rural New Mexico then and wanted to try to get to that game in Albuquerque for the title. But of all things, the interstate was closed on 4/3/83 by snow. I will also admit that I really wanted Houston to win, because I loved their style of play. And, people forget that Clyde Drexler and Michael Young, who had great careers at Houston, really weren't that heavily recruited out of the Houston area.

But, after all that, I still almost get choked up when they show some of those scenes with Jimmy V near the end of his life.

 

[Big Old Booger]

The one about the 1983 NC State team on various ESPN channels is a real emotional roller-coaster ride. It focused a lot on a players' reunion of that '83 team to talk about the national title run

Two slight OU connections to this whole story:

1. Jimmy Valvano was interviewed for the OU job in '80 but Billy Tubbs got the job.

2. Max Perry, who had a brief stint at OU back in '78 as a backup point guard, was their grad assistant in '83 at NC State. Perry was slated to be on the '79 OU team that won the Big 8 (regular season and tournament), but he transferred out just before the season started.

Another slight connection was that one of those NCSU players, Ernie Myers, was still on the roster when they came to Norman in 1986 for a really good game that OU pulled out by four, I believe. The next year, OU went to Raleigh and almost blew a 20-point lead, before hanging on to win, again by four (I think).

Personal footnote: I was leaving in rural New Mexico then and wanted to try to get to that game in Albuquerque for the title. But of all things, the interstate was closed on 4/3/83 by snow. I will also admit that I really wanted Houston to win, because I loved their style of play. And, people forget that Clyde Drexler and Michael Young, who had great careers at Houston, really weren't that heavily recruited out of the Houston area.

But, after all that, I still almost get choked up when they show some of those scenes with Jimmy V near the end of his life.

Yeah, that's probably my favorite 30-for-30. I like a lot of them, well 99% of them, but that one is my favorite. I was a Jimmy V fan but I also admit I was rooting for Houston that night because I loved their style of play. I loved Jimmy V though even more after that night. He was whats great about college sports. Forget the Nick Saban's and Urban Myers and give me more of the Jimmy V's.

I don't remember Valvano interviewing for the OU job. I know John Thompson was interviewed and offered but he turned it down. I think we did OK though with who we hired. :billy

 

[sanguinetti]

OU v. NCSU: 2-1, all time. i was at the LNC game in 86, i remember Vinny Del Negro was good for them.

1986: 72-69
1987: 86-82
1999: 58-62 (don't remember this Puerto Rico game much). a lot to like about the 99 Sooners in the end, however.

http://www.soonerstats.com/basketball/men/opponents/details.cfm?oppid=199#.VYvxWFU4nTY

 

[Max Power]

OU v. NCSU: 2-1, all time. i was at the LNC game in 86, i remember Vinny Del Negro was good for them.

1986: 72-69
1987: 86-82
1999: 58-62 (don't remember this Puerto Rico game much). a lot to like about the 99 Sooners in the end, however.

http://www.soonerstats.com/basketball/men/opponents/details.cfm?oppid=199#.VYvxWFU4nTY

I remember at the time thinking we were better than we showed there, but then that season to me was kinda disappointing until we snuck into the tournament as the last at large and went on the sweet 16 run

 

[scrybe]

Yeah, that's probably my favorite 30-for-30. I like a lot of them, well 99% of them, but that one is my favorite. I was a Jimmy V fan but I also admit I was rooting for Houston that night because I loved their style of play. I loved Jimmy V though even more after that night. He was whats great about college sports. Forget the Nick Saban's and Urban Myers and give me more of the Jimmy V's.

I don't remember Valvano interviewing for the OU job. I know John Thompson was interviewed and offered but he turned it down. I think we did OK though with who we hired. :billy

I always liked Valvano too, BOB. But if you'll recall, the national media – and many D1 coaches – looked on Jimmy V as a low-life and a cheater. He was often compared to a couple of their other so-called "scumbag" coaches – Barry Switzer and Jackie Sherrill.

Then, Jimmy V got sick and – presto – everything changed. He suddenly became a media darling and a shining example of everything that's right with college basketball.

Poor Valvano. He likely never deserved the pariah label he once wore. And, to me, it was even worse to see those same people who once called him a cheater suddenly start showering him with praise and love.