The OU-Kansas 1988 National Title Game

[OUHoops]

Berry Tramel reminicses 25 years later:

http://newsok.com/1988-ncaa-champio...me-and-lived-to-tell-about-it/article/3780782

 

[cfin5256]

I would read that but would much rather punch myself in the face repeatedly than remember.

 

[NMSooner'80]

I would read that but would much rather punch myself in the face repeatedly than remember.

I'd rather offer up my face to local MMA trainers for target practice than remember that debacle. I was almost physically ill for a week.

People always forget that KU was supposed to be better than OU going into that season. The Beakers also underachieved until the final month of the season, then got every break in the book in the NCAA's - not to mention a true homecourt advantage.

I've also read accounts that those wonderful KU fans taunted like crazy, not that it was unexpected. Some even followed the OU team back to its hotel just to rub it in.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

I've also read accounts that those wonderful KU fans taunted like crazy, not that it was unexpected. Some even followed the OU team back to its hotel just to rub it in.

I still hear it from those humps 25 years later. You'd think it just happened. That's why, no matter who it benefits, I derive great satisfaction from them getting their hearts ripped out.

I'm also going to skip the article. I sat through that game. I really doubt if there's anything new to be learned from the article. :ed

 

[bassmaster]

I still hear it from those humps 25 years later. You'd think it just happened. That's why, no matter who it benefits, I derive great satisfaction from them getting their hearts ripped out.

I'm also going to skip the article. I sat through that game. I really doubt if there's anything new to be learned from the article. :ed

I agree! That was too painful and I don't want to relive it.

 

[mict085]

WTF. Why would anyone remind us of that damn game.

Go **** yourself berry tramel.

 

[gwydion]

I stayed at the team hotel and yes, ku fans stood outside and danced. Lots of picture windows so you couldn't help but see them.
After the game almost all the players were downstairs in the lobby along with coaches. Fans were talking with them and they were all very nice considering what had happened. My sister was walking around getting autographs and everyone was happy to sign. She walked up to Tommy Tubbs, who I think was a grad assistant, and asked for his autograph. He was standing next to Coach Switzer. After he signed he started to hand it to Switzer and said "You want his too, right?" Sister said no, she only wanted basketball team's. Switzer grabbed her by the arm and said I'll remember this and laughed.
I still have the sign they all signed.

 

[WaymanFan]

If I read that article, it will send me right back into therapy.

 

[NMSooner'80]

Unfortunately, many in Oklahoma also celebrated OU's loss. I posted awhile back about how a guy in Edmond, after buying a sports restaurant (not really a bar), went and got the old CSU scoreboard when it was on sale. He hung it in his restaurant and displayed the score (Home 79, Visitor 83).

I think enough people saw it, who did like OU, and his business failed within a year.

Keep in mind, too, this was before OSU was very good - so the "OU haters" usually picked either Kansas or Georgetown to root for, depending on pigmentation.

 

[skyvue]

I read the story -- it was interesting to note that one of the KU players openly acknowledged how much they benefited from playing in KC.

The thing that many have gotten wrong in discussing that game over the years is that they give Manning too much credit. He did what he always did against OU; it was the non-stars who beat us in that game.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

I read the story -- it was interesting to note that one of the KU players openly acknowledged how much they benefited from playing in KC.

The thing that many have gotten wrong in discussing that game over the years is that they give Manning too much credit. He did what he always did against OU; it was the non-stars who beat us in that game.

Milt Newton is the one that always comes to my mind. I don't believe he missed a shot.

 

[Romulus]

I didn't realize that Billy only played six guys that night

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

I didn't realize that Billy only played six guys that night

You have to remember that was when King played almost all the time and Mookie never came out. I always wondered what sort of engine he was dealing with.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

I didn't realize that Billy only played six guys that night

It was not just that night. Billy played that way all season.

If Billy had 5 guys that were clearly his best players, he played them. A lot. That was true in other Billy-Ball seasons as well.

 

[cowboysooner]

I hated tubs for a year afterwards for pulling the press in the second half and not making grace and mookie not force the ball inside in the second half. Their bigs were in foul trouble and they could barely stand up by the end of the first half. Just like everyone else in the tourney, they would have collapsed in the second half under our press.

About a year or so out from that game, I was at a function where billy said that he blew it by pulling the press and not forcing the ball inside. With this confession, I forgave him and he is still my favorite OU coach.

Billy was never quite the same after the head injury. It seemed like he just lost some motivation and quit recruiting.

Like most of you, I was sick for weeks after that game. I still think that is one of the great teams in NCAA history.

 

[MsProudSooner]

I hated tubs for a year afterwards for pulling the press in the second half and not making grace and mookie not force the ball inside in the second half. Their bigs were in foul trouble and they could barely stand up by the end of the first half. Just like everyone else in the tourney, they would have collapsed in the second half under our press.

About a year or so out from that game, I was at a function where billy said that he blew it by pulling the press and not forcing the ball inside. With this confession, I forgave him and he is still my favorite OU coach.

Billy was never quite the same after the head injury. It seemed like he just lost some motivation and quit recruiting.

Like most of you, I was sick for weeks after that game. I still think that is one of the great teams in NCAA history.

I didn't hate him. But after watching Kelvin's teams play half court defense I wished that the '88 team had played half court defense that way. All we needed was a stop here and there.

 

[steverocks35]

Didn't Hightower officiate that game? I was pretty young at the time, but I remember some borderline calls.

 

[KCRuf/Nek]

I didn't hate him. But after watching Kelvin's teams play half court defense I wished that the '88 team had played half court defense that way. All we needed was a stop here and there.

We couldn't change who we were. Our up tempo game was fueled by our defense and that's the way we played no matter who the opponent. Billy always said he coached his team and let his assistants take care of the other team.

I would take Billy's brand of play every time over Sampson's that had no problem going ten minutes without a basket. Defense is very important and you can't win without it but it's hard to win when you can't score.

 

[MsProudSooner]

We couldn't change who we were. Our up tempo game was fueled by our defense and that's the way we played no matter who the opponent. Billy always said he coached his team and let his assistants take care of the other team.

I would take Billy's brand of play every time over Sampson's that had no problem going ten minutes without a basket. Defense is very important and you can't win without it but it's hard to win when you can't score.

It's not really a question of Billy vs Kelvin. Louisville pressed and played good halfcourt defense. Why does a team have to choose one over the other?

 

[WaymanFan]

Didn't Hightower officiate that game? I was pretty young at the time, but I remember some borderline calls.

Yes, he did, and your memory is perfect. I only have two games in memory which I truly detested the officiating, and this was one of them (the 2006 game at Kansas is the other one).

I'm sure Billy would have changed a few things in hindsight. One of them would have to be not playing Andre Wiley, especially since he came up big off the bench against Arizona two nights earlier. I think Billy was blindsided by Larry Brown's game plan to keep it up-tempo the first half, and slow things down in the second half.

As painful as that outcome was, it is still the most exciting (by far) first half of a basketball game I've ever seen in my life, college or pro.