this feels almost like that '88 season

[coolm]

Thats the last time I felt like OU's team was this dominant in comparison to all the other teams in college basketball.

The Hollis Price team it was more like "now what would have to happen for us to get by" ... but in this case as well as back in 87-88 you can just see OU being either the best or amid the top 2-3 in the country easily.

very magical

 

[TakiToki]

Lost at LSU in January that season.

 

[OUReality]

Agreed. It is a great feeling going into every game knowing OU can win, that hasn't happened in a looooong time. Hopefully this team can do what the 87-88 team couldn't, win it all!

 

[Swans]

Well, that 2002 team that crushed eventual national champ Maryland was pretty dominant. I think if Quannis had been healthy we'd have beaten IU for a chance at the rematch. We also beat a KU team in the conf. tourney finals that went undefeated in conference play.

 

[opsooner]

This year's team is playing well like that one but it does not feel like the '88 season to me. I was a lot younger then.

 

[TINY]

Well, that 2002 team that crushed eventual national champ Maryland was pretty dominant. I think if Quannis had been healthy we'd have beaten IU for a chance at the rematch. We also beat a KU team in the conf. tourney finals that went undefeated in conference play.

+1.

 

[coolm]

no, it's still a step below 88 because we were just dominating everyone that year.

I wasn't trying to diss the 02 team. They were excellent but you didnt have the impression they were the best in the country. It felt like they could play with anyone in the country.

 

[oudna]

no, it's still a step below 88 because we were just dominating everyone that year.

I wasn't trying to diss the 02 team. They were excellent but you didnt have the impression they were the best in the country. It felt like they could play with anyone in the country.

I think we were better in '03 than '02.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Lost at LSU in January that season.

I was about to say the exact same thing. I've been thinking this year was more like 88 than 02 and remembered in 88 we lost at LSU though I think the game was in NOLA in 88 instead of Baton Rouge.

If I remember correctly, LSU had Chris Jackson that year.

 

[WaymanFan]

I think we were better in '03 than '02.

I don't see how. Hollis was better, but Ebe took a step back once the conference season started...and there was an obvious drop-off from Ace McGhee to freshman Kevin Bookout.

You can't go by seed, either. We should have been a #1 in 2002, so the NCAA Committee made it up to us the next year when we actually deserved to be a #2 seed.

Similar to the 1988 team, the 2002 team had no weakness in the starting 5.

 

[outest]

Are you kidding me? That 88 team have Harvey Grant and Stacey King. What post players do we have????

Jordan Woodward < Mookie Blaylock
Dave Sieger < Buddy Hield
Spangler <<<< Harvey Grant
Lattin <<<<< Stacey King

3 of those players are first round draft choice. This game only have Buddy Hield.

 

[Big Old Booger]

no, it's still a step below 88 because we were just dominating everyone that year.

I wasn't trying to diss the 02 team. They were excellent but you didnt have the impression they were the best in the country. It felt like they could play with anyone in the country.

I agree with you. It's not quite what the 88 team was but remember the 88 team stepped it up a notch when King became an inside presence which was about this time that season. That's what this team is missing is an inside presence. Lattin is improving but he's got a long ways to go to be like King became that season.

This team is more guard oriented like 02 though and our best player, like in 02, is a guard, though McGee was awfully good that year.

 

[coolm]

I am sorry ... I was talking about the team's status among all the other teams this season. Not comparing OU teams to each other just individually. OU is as good as if not better than every other team in the country.

 

[NickZepp]

no, it's still a step below 88 because we were just dominating everyone that year.

I wasn't trying to diss the 02 team. They were excellent but you didnt have the impression they were the best in the country. It felt like they could play with anyone in the country.

I felt they were. This OU team is better. I'm not sure we have anyone as good as Aaron McGhee, but nobody is as good as Heild. And Cousins and Woodard are both real good. This team is better than 02. 88 is just such a different level. But this team has what it takes to win it all.

 

[Soonerinkc]

no, it's still a step below 88 because we were just dominating everyone that year.

I wasn't trying to diss the 02 team. They were excellent but you didnt have the impression they were the best in the country. It felt like they could play with anyone in the country.

88 we had a dominate post...we are guard oriented this yr

 

[MercedeSooner]

To me feels a lot more like the 02 team in terms of how good our guys were but even then I'd take that squad at this point.

I'd actually say our 08-09 team with Blake may have been second to that 88 team - we finished 13-3 in conf that year and lost 2 games to Texas and Kansas because Blake had that concussion (man that KU game still burns me). We were seriously looking at a 15-1 conf record and 29-3 overall going into the tourney. Just because we lost to a great UNC team that year I don't think should discount the quality of that squad.

Whoop just saw your follow up post - this year definitely is wide open.

 

[WTSooner]

no, it's still a step below 88 because we were just dominating everyone that year.

I wasn't trying to diss the 02 team. They were excellent but you didnt have the impression they were the best in the country. It felt like they could play with anyone in the country.

Nonsense.

The last 2+ months of that season, the 2002 team WAS the best team in the country. And they were dominating everybody. Most wins were by double digits, some approaching 20. I just checked out their box scores the other day researching some other info I was looking for.

 

[WTSooner]

I felt they were. This OU team is better. I'm not sure we have anyone as good as Aaron McGhee, but nobody is as good as Heild. And Cousins and Woodard are both real good. This team is better than 02. 88 is just such a different level. But this team has what it takes to win it all.

Disagree. I think it's a really close matchup, but I like the fact that the 2002 team was more rounded. Didn't rely so much on the 3 ball and transition. Had one of the best post scorers in the country in Ace, and Brown that year was doing AT LEAST what Lattin is doing this year. I think the 2002 team had a better halfcourt offense and defense, but they didn't run like this year's team does. Watching those two teams play would be really fun.

I also like the bench for the 2002 team better. Detrick and Selvy are better than anybody this year's team is bringing off the bench.

 

[OUsky]

I am sorry ... I was talking about the team's status among all the other teams this season. Not comparing OU teams to each other just individually. OU is as good as if not better than every other team in the country.

Yea but there were two great teams in '88 and in 2002. We happen to be one of the two each of those seasons. I think we were the best both years, but Maryland had improved since we demolished them earlier in the year. But then so had we. Of course the injuries hurt us in the final four.

This year still not sure about who the best two are yet?

 

[NickZepp]

Disagree. I think it's a really close matchup, but I like the fact that the 2002 team was more rounded. Didn't rely so much on the 3 ball and transition. Had one of the best post scorers in the country in Ace, and Brown that year was doing AT LEAST what Lattin is doing this year. I think the 2002 team had a better halfcourt offense and defense, but they didn't run like this year's team does. Watching those two teams play would be really fun.

I also like the bench for the 2002 team better. Detrick and Selvy are better than anybody this year's team is bringing off the bench.

True. Selvy didn't put up numbers but was really good. 02 team shouldn't be overlooked at all. But I still feel a better back court wins a lot of games in college basketball. Basically Quannis got hurt and that team lost to an Indiana team they were better than. Buddy can have a down game and Woodard or Cousins can come in and score just as much any given game.