Sooners handle West Virginia pressure | The Oklahoman

[OUHoops]

http://newsok.com/sooners-handle-west-virginia-pressure/article/5480213

 

[SoonerTraveler]

As always, thanks for posting these links.

I was struck by the photos with the article. The WVU arena is filled to the rafters by a loud and "hostile" crowd there to cheer on their team against a big time college basketball program.

I traveled to, and attended the previous 4 road games ... @ Baylor, @ LSU, @ Kansas State, and @ Texas Tech.

At LSU, the arena announcer stated during the 2nd half that the OU game brought in a crowd that was among the all-time top 5 largest crowds for the current LSU arena configuration. The Tiger fans came out in droves to see their team play the mighty Sooners. (I know someone that works in the LSU ticket office. LSU basketball games are typically not well attended.)

At Texas Tech, they announced that an all-time record was set for the number of students that attended the game (in excess of 5,300 students). They did not open the arena door until 60 minutes prior to tip-off. The line of students awaiting to enter the arena was blocks long. The Red Raider fans came out in droves to see their team play the mighty Sooners.

The same thing at Baylor and K-State. A very raucous crowd came out to see their team play the mighty Sooners.

I often get the impression that OU BASKETBALL gets more respect and has a bigger "brand name" across the country, than it does within the State of Oklahoma. Billy and Kelvin built up a long-term period of excellence where 20-win seasons and trips to the NCAA tournament became the norm.

I also think that many OU fans do not realize how impressive it is to win on the road when you are one of the "big dogs" that everybody else would love to beat. The OU basketball tradition is real, and the current group of Sooners is doing their part to add to that tradition.

Boomer Sooner!

 

[skyvue]

Thanks for the excellent post, Traveler!

 

[p230]

I would say you are right Traveler. I have been to most of the OU games at TTU since I moved to Lubbock. It is always a good crowd. It is also one of the games that is not discounted along with KU and UT. They always see it as a big game with any OU team comes to town.

 

[Escape Goat]

Great post Trav and I agree with your thoughts. It's very amazing to see the respect rivals are showing to this great team and this great program.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[j2d2]

Spot on Traveler. Too bad the Daily Disappointment doesnt acknowledge it.

 

[Max Power]

Spot on Traveler. Too bad the Daily Disappointment doesnt acknowledge it.

That would involve the Daily Disappointment to know anything about basketball.