What's the single all-time best LNC game in history?

[NMSooner'80]

There are lots to choose from - including games like the OU-Iowa State game where OU made up a seven-point deficit in about a minute back around 2001, the Arkansas game around the same season when OU definitely had to make up an 8-point deficit just to get to OT and win, the Bedlam game where Sean Sutton did his best imitation of a beached carp, and one of my faves from undergrad days, the 1977 OU-Mizzou game (OU's first-ever LNC sellout). One could also make the case for the finish in last year's win over the hated Beakers of Kansas.

But, my vote still goes to the OU-UNLV game of 1987. It wound up 89-88, and that was a win by OU over the undefeated No., 1 team in the nation. The place was rocking despite horrible winter weather going on outside. I'll never forget the last 15 seconds - Choo Kennedy scored on a turnaround J in the lane to put us up by a point, but Vegas had two shots to win it. Armond Gilliam missed a wide-open foul-line jumber with four seconds left, then UNLV's Jarvis Basnight had a chance to tip in the game-winner. But he tried to jam it from an odd angle and missed at the horn.

 

[Salt City Sooner]

Some may not agree with this one due to the opposition not being the caliber of that Vegas team, but from a pure one heck of a game standpoint, I think this one belongs on the list somewhere:

http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1996/Oklahoma-117-Nebraska-100-3-OT/id-f10fa414293ca80e7a8f02b26d6b41fd

 

[WaymanFan]

My vote goes to the 1989 OT win over Missouri. That game, of course, was made a classic by this one sentence: "The referees have asked me to tell you that regardless of how terrible the officiating is (pause for audience cheer), don't throw anything on the court."

Went I went to work the next day, three co-workers who had no true favorite team, all commented on what an exciting game that was to watch.

 

[Northbase]

I was at that 77 Mizzou game. That was fun.

 

[1390]

2008 Baylor game had a pretty darn good ending with crockers 4 point play and jerrels missing 2 FT with a second left in overtime 92-91 OU

 

[OUSKINS]

2008 Baylor game had a pretty darn good ending with crockers 4 point play and jerrels missing 2 FT with a second left in overtime 92-91 OU

That is my personal all-time favorite LNC moment. The end of that game was unreal. Certainly not the most significant game that's ever been played there, or even the best--- but it was the most thrilling/exciting I've attended.

 

[ocugolfsooner]

That is my personal all-time favorite LNC moment. The end of that game was unreal. Certainly not the most significant game that's ever been played there, or even the best--- but it was the most thrilling/exciting I've attended.

That and the Hollis price coast to coast to beat Bob Knight are probably my two favorite moments there. Buddy beating KU at the buzzer this year was pretty fun. None of those are the most important games played but were really fun and loud in the building.

 

[furge]

Surprised no one's mentioned the Jan. 10 '05 game against the Huskies. Taj Gray's 23/10 against the Okafor/Rudy Gay/Josh Boone front court was his coming - out party and the atmosphere was RIDICULOUS.

Another recent nominee: Davidson at the LNC 11/19/2008. Stephen Curry's 44 points and a furious second half comeback not quite enough to edge Blake, Willie Warren, and the Immortal Ray Willis (who not only got into the game, but put up 2 basketball points!).

 

[geeoh]

2008 Baylor comes to mind too.

 

[OUHoops]

Surprised no one's mentioned the Jan. 10 '05 game against the Huskies. Taj Gray's 23/10 against the Okafor/Rudy Gay/Josh Boone front court was his coming - out party and the atmosphere was RIDICULOUS.

Good call on the UConn game. Also the Maryland game with Steve Francis just because of those programs status at the time. Can't remember if the crowds were as great as they've been for some Bedlam/Kansas games, but I remember exactly where I sat for each of those.

Unfortunately, I wasn't around Norman for those epic Billy Tubbs era games against Missouri/UNLV/Loyola/Duke. Wish I had been.

That Bedlam game back when Bookout was around where OU jumped off to the big run at the start may have been the loudest I personally can remember. The crowd for the Cincy game (with Kenyon Martin) was a great crowd too.

 

[BoulderSooner]

steve francis never played in norman or against OU

we did almost get him to play for OU

 

[OUHoops]

steve francis never played in norman or against OU

we did almost get him to play for OU

That's right. Fail on my part. Here's the box score from that game:

http://www.umterps.com/ViewContent.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=29700&CONTENT_ID=630501

 

[WTSooner]

That's right. Fail on my part. Here's the box score from that game:

http://www.umterps.com/ViewContent.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=29700&CONTENT_ID=630501

Jabahri Brown's coming out game.

I was at that game, and I knew that team was going to be special b/c Brown gave Kelvin something he'd never really had at OU.

Crowd was really into that game as well.

 

[vbdad]

Georgia Tech in 1985 is one of the top 2 games ever in the LNC. Anthony Bowie's follow slam is the loudest I ever heard the arena. GT had 5 guys in the starting lineup who played in the league.

 

[skyvue]

What, no mention of the 1978 game against Cal State Bakersfield and the immortal Ethan Aronie?

 

[pnkranger]

Not a close one, but 2001 vs eventual national champion Maryland. Got the feeling it was the beginning of a special run.

Really sad Quannas tweaked his ankle heading into the Final Four or there would have been a rematch in the championship game.

 

[NMSooner'80]

What, no mention of the 1978 game against Cal State Bakersfield and the immortal Ethan Aronie?

I was at that one, too. "E-E-E-E-E-E-E....!!!"

That was probably the only time in LNC history that the OU student section cheered a made free throw from a visiting player. The students booed when he was taken out of the game and chanted for his return late in the game (I think it wound up 100-75 in OU's favor).

 

[skyvue]

I was at that one, too. "E-E-E-E-E-E-E....!!!"

Where is Ethan Aronie today? He's here...

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ethanaronie

 

[coolm]

i agree about the UNLV game AND that Iowa State game. I remember sitting in the crowd at that ISU game telling the folks who were leaving "you're making a mistake. It's not over"

Of course I thought it was over too but I was just trying to be a good fan. But then we amazingly caught up and eventually won. It was so sweet.

 

[Sooner04]

Considering the amount of talent on the floor, it'd be hard to argue anything has topped the '87 UNLV game or the '85 Georgia Tech game.