Wow... this is happening.

[afaSooner]

I have to admit... while being a massive Sooner basketball fan I've only felt OU had a better than average chance to win the National Title once before. That was in '88. I loved Kelvin's teams but even in our last final 4 I thought our chances were slim with the style and personnel we had that year. No offense to Hollis, he was unbreakable, but I just didn't see that team contending with the elite of the elite in the final four and I was right.

But this team... this is different.

I know North Carolina is over on the other side of the bracket breathing fire but this time around OU has the elite of the elite team too. Coaching, style, athletes, skill, toughness, and a flat out super star this time around. I like our chances.

What would winning the National Title do for OU basketball? I get giddy just thinking about it.

 

[tomkar98]

I have to admit... while being a massive Sooner basketball fan I've only felt OU had a better than average chance to win the National Title once before. That was in '88. I loved Kelvin's teams but even in our last final 4 I thought our chances were slim with the style and personnel we had that year. No offense to Hollis, he was unbreakable, but I just didn't see that team contending with the elite of the elite in the final four and I was right.

But this team... this is different.

I know North Carolina is over on the other side of the bracket breathing fire but this time around OU has the elite of the elite team too. Coaching, style, athletes, skill, toughness, and a flat out super star this time around. I like our chances.

What would winning the National Title do for OU basketball? I get giddy just thinking about it.

I have been having similar thoughts all week! I'm trying to remain grounded and just enjoy the final four experience.... But that can be hard to limit yourself to when you keep thinking of the possibilities!

Here's to an exciting game by OUr Sooners! Proud of them no matter what!

Boomer!:OU-logo: :lon :buddy

 

[IndySooner]

I want to win tomorrow. Then I will think about Monday. Tomorrow is huge.

 

[dksooner]

I have to admit... while being a massive Sooner basketball fan I've only felt OU had a better than average chance to win the National Title once before. That was in '88. I loved Kelvin's teams but even in our last final 4 I thought our chances were slim with the style and personnel we had that year. No offense to Hollis, he was unbreakable, but I just didn't see that team contending with the elite of the elite in the final four and I was right.

But this team... this is different.

I know North Carolina is over on the other side of the bracket breathing fire but this time around OU has the elite of the elite team too. Coaching, style, athletes, skill, toughness, and a flat out super star this time around. I like our chances.

What would winning the National Title do for OU basketball? I get giddy just thinking about it.

We actually had a great opportunity to win it that year. We had already beaten Ku and Maryland earlier in the season and lost to a 7? seeded Indiana team in the semis. I feel confident about tomorrow, UNC is playing great ball now and would be very difficult to match their size but our 3/point shooter could overcome that.

 

[OUSKINS]

It's over guys, I'm so sorry. Just made arrangements to go to Houston on Monday if we win.... The mush is complete. Deepest apologies to Sooner Nation.

 

[MsProudSooner]

We actually had a great opportunity to win it that year. We had already beaten Ku and Maryland earlier in the season and lost to a 7? seeded Indiana team in the semis. I feel confident about tomorrow, UNC is playing great ball now and would be very difficult to match their size but our 3/point shooter could overcome that.

Is everyone forgetting that Quannas White sprained his ankle in practice the week of the Final Four. He played, but he wasn't close to 100%.

 

[WaymanFan]

Is everyone forgetting that Quannas White sprained his ankle in practice the week of the Final Four. He played, but he wasn't close to 100%.

That is correct. I think it's shortsighted to say in hindsight that OU didn't have much of a chance to win it all. We were 8-point favorites to beat #5 seed Indiana, but didn't have the depth to overcome a starter getting injured. That was a very good OU starting 5 - a reliable floor general, one of the best two-guards in the country, a dependable wing, a great stretch-4 and a rim protector...but we needed all of them healthy to cut down the nets.

This team has every chance to do what the past two Final Four squads could not do...FINISH THE JOB!

 

[Mookie]

it was Hollis Price who was hurt vs Indiana in the final 4.


not Quannis


OU

 

[sanguinetti]

That is correct. I think it's shortsighted to say in hindsight that OU didn't have much of a chance to win it all. We were 8-point favorites to beat #5 seed Indiana, but didn't have the depth to overcome a starter getting injured. That was a very good OU starting 5 - a reliable floor general, one of the best two-guards in the country, a dependable wing, a great stretch-4 and a rim protector...but we needed all of them healthy to cut down the nets.

This team has every chance to do what the past two Final Four squads could not do...FINISH THE JOB!

Quannas being hurt was a big part of our ability to defend IU. Q was so tough on ball defender and could shoot the rock when he needed. i thought we had a very good shot that year but much like today and Nova, the Terp team we beat by digits in a game i attended with my dad...when Steve Blake and Juan Dixon could not buy a 3 even with a good look....was playing much better basketball in March than December. I'll tell you, Ace McGhee really came into his own bodying up on Lonnie Baxter that game. Baxter a very very good college player....the NBA just doesn't have a place for a 6 8 post player with low post moves. Sam Clancy was another player like that of that era....you could even say Ace.

 

[coolm]

I was hoping we'd follow form and make the second weekend.

Then I HOPED we'd win a game.

Now that we're in the FF - to ME at least we're playing with house money. The pub alone for OU has made this a spectacular success of a season. Winning an NC is more than even I could wish for.

 

[sanguinetti]

I was hoping we'd follow form and make the second weekend.

Then I HOPED we'd win a game.

Now that we're in the FF - to ME at least we're playing with house money. The pub alone for OU has made this a spectacular success of a season. Winning an NC is more than even I could wish for.

i agree. house money.

we are Oklahoma at the end of it all.

and that's how we found out how great we want that to be.

again. i love it.

 

[jackson_supersooner]

I was hoping we'd follow form and make the second weekend.

Then I HOPED we'd win a game.

Now that we're in the FF - to ME at least we're playing with house money. The pub alone for OU has made this a spectacular success of a season. Winning an NC is more than even I could wish for.

This.

 

[cjhsooner]

My only fear is that OU is 24-1 in first games vs teams, but 5-6 in rematches.

 

[Big Old Booger]

My only fear is that OU is 24-1 in first games vs teams, but 5-6 in rematches.

Enter the party pooper.

 

[cjhsooner]

Enter the party pooper.

Not my intention, at all. Just saying. That fact scares me a little! I believe OU will win, but not NEARLY as easily as I have seen some on here say.

 

[oudna]

I have to admit... while being a massive Sooner basketball fan I've only felt OU had a better than average chance to win the National Title once before. That was in '88. I loved Kelvin's teams but even in our last final 4 I thought our chances were slim with the style and personnel we had that year. No offense to Hollis, he was unbreakable, but I just didn't see that team contending with the elite of the elite in the final four and I was right.

But this team... this is different.

I know North Carolina is over on the other side of the bracket breathing fire but this time around OU has the elite of the elite team too. Coaching, style, athletes, skill, toughness, and a flat out super star this time around. I like our chances.

What would winning the National Title do for OU basketball? I get giddy just thinking about it.

Hmm. Opposite for me. I thought we were going to win it in '02. Not confident at all about this year, but I've enjoyed every minute of the past 4 years.

 

[Big Old Booger]

Not my intention, at all. Just saying. That fact scares me a little! I believe OU will win, but not NEARLY as easily as I have seen some on here say.

I don't think any rational fan thinks we will win easily. Villanova is obviously improved from December or they wouldn't have made it this far and/or beaten KU to get here.

I think most people on here, including me, think we will win because this is our year. It feels like it's our year the way it's all shaken out. It seems like it's destiny but it won't be easy.

In the end, it doesn't matter a hill of beans what anyone on this or any message board thinks. It comes down to what happens on the hardwood and I like our chances.

 

[kansasooner]

The 2002 team should have won it all. We had already beaten two of the final four teams. We overlooked Indiana. Never again. Never ever again. Ever. Again.

 

[afaSooner]

Wow that really happened. What's worse about this loss is that OU demonstrated it can beat the really elite teams by knocking off Villanova earlier in the year. This was a meltdown loss. When guys couldn't drive to the basket they started panicking. I think OU could have benefited from swinging the ball around and being more patient with their drives looking for driving lanes instead of one on one.

This one stings because this team had the ability to win it all. Great job by Villanova's defense.

With all that said I like OU's chances to win it all over the next three years. Recruiting should only get better with all the pub these Sooners brought to Norman and their final four season. I wouldn't count OU out next year.