University of Oklahoma Sports

[Eric]

GIA is a classic example of expanding too much. Extremely difficult to ever sell that place out. For that matter, when OU finally gets around to renovating or replacing the LNC, I would hope they reduce capacity to 10k or less.

I was in school there during the second run up for Eddie. My first year hardly any of those guys from the final four team were there, except McFarlin. They finished 4th in the big 12 that year, and each and every home game the student section was packed, even mid week against a nobody. Weekends were always full. And any game against, OU, Texas, Kansas and Missouri, didn't matter what day or what time it was. Only slow times I saw was Winter break, where the schedule is also a bit light with only a couple of home games.

So it can be done. They have just had such an underwhelming run for well over a decade now. Even with all the talent in the world Ford could muster up, it hasn't made a difference. Over history, OSU has only really had two good coaches. Frankly, OSU is not a basketball school. Two coaches just defied the odds. It literally took two of the greatest coaches the NCAA has ever seen to get OSU to the power house level. Right now it's a stepping stone (Brad Underwood for example) if they can muster some success.

I say all this as a fan and allum. It is what it is.

[Midtowner]

Lol I'm sorry what? Look up who has more national championships (or in this case, actually has national championships), final fours, elite eights, sweet sixteens and conference championships. Those all favor OSU. Who has two legendary coaches? OSU. Who has a historic arena that's been named the loudest in the country? Actually, let's strip it back and just go with who has an arena that isn't falling apart and a complete dump? OSU.

You really have no clue what you're talking about with the "OU is ahead of OSU in basketball in about every metric all time". I mean that couldn't be further from the truth. The only thing OU is ahead in is the head to head.

I'm not an alumnus of either school, but this is kind of laughable. Championships? You're bragging about championships in 1945 and 1946. The football championship was in 1945. Apparently, while young men were fighting and dying overseas or helping with the reconstruction efforts, Oklahoma A&M was more focused on putting superior athletes on the field.

But as far as basketball, Oklahoma has the most wins in the NCAA tournament without ever winning the whole thing and more actual wins in the tournament (by two) than Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State has 6 Final Four appearances to Oklahoma's 5.

But yes. Loyd Noble is a dump. Carry on.

[dankrutka]

Let's not forget OSU's basketball titles are from when the NCAA Tournament was essentially the current NIT. They're not real national titles. OU and OSU are very similar basketball programs with OU having a lot more head-to-head success. There is not much evidence to suggest OSU has a better program than OU.

[Eric]

Let's not forget OSU's basketball titles are from when the NCAA Tournament was essentially the current NIT. They're not real national titles. OU and OSU are very similar basketball programs with OU having a lot more head-to-head success. There is not much evidence to suggest OSU has a better program than OU.

Are you suggesting the best teams were not invited to the championship tournament? I fail to see the point here. I mean, less rounds you could argue is easier to win. But it would be hard to make that case really. How many times do the top 2 seeds make it to the Elite 8? A lot. I mean, a 1 seed has won almost 40% of the titles. Only three champions have been seeded outside the top 4 (since they expanded to 64 in '85).

[dankrutka]

Are you suggesting the best teams were not invited to the championship tournament? I fail to see the point here. I mean, less rounds you could argue is easier to win. But it would be hard to make that case really. How many times do the top 2 seeds make it to the Elite 8? A lot. I mean, a 1 seed has won almost 40% of the titles. Only three champions have been seeded outside the top 4 (since they expanded to 64 in '85).

At that time, both tournaments crowned a "champion." However, the best teams were invited to the NIT in the years OSU won the NCAA title. Winning a title in a consolation tournament is not the same as winning a title in a tournament with the best teams. The NIT was considered superior in the 1940s.

[GoGators]

At that time, both tournaments crowned a "champion." However, the best teams were invited to the NIT in the years OSU won the NCAA title. Winning a title in a consolation tournament is not the same as winning a title in a tournament with the best teams. The NIT was considered superior in the 1940s.

Meh, you could make this argument for every NCAA national champion until 1971.

[Lafferty Daniel]

I'm not an alumnus of either school, but this is kind of laughable. Championships? You're bragging about championships in 1945 and 1946. The football championship was in 1945. Apparently, while young men were fighting and dying overseas or helping with the reconstruction efforts, Oklahoma A&M was more focused on putting superior athletes on the field.

But as far as basketball, Oklahoma has the most wins in the NCAA tournament without ever winning the whole thing and more actual wins in the tournament (by two) than Oklahoma State. Oklahoma State has 6 Final Four appearances to Oklahoma's 5.

But yes. Loyd Noble is a dump. Carry on.

You can make this same claim with a lot of schools about a lot of things. Championships are championships. When is the cutoff year for when things don't matter anymore? 50s? 60s? 70s? Cause then we can go ahead and forget about anything Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer did right? Because people who are now almost 40 weren't alive for that.

And while trying to minimize OSU's more accomplished history, you failed to mention the gap in elite 8's, sweet sixteens and conference championships. OU also just recently passed OSU in the tournament win total. And it took OSU not winning a tournament game in over a decade to catch up.

But the biggest, absolute biggest reason OSU basketball is better than OU? OSU fans actually care about it. OU fans only care about football (but now are somehow HUGE Thunder fans, but I digress).

[Rover]

OU #32 all time wins (60.8% winning). OSU #38 (58.6%). Head2head 140-99 OU.

Lloyd Noble isn’t the greatest arena, but it is far from being a dump. Aggie hyperbole and hate showing.

[dankrutka]

Meh, you could make this argument for every NCAA national champion until 1971.

Nope. Any NCAA titles prior to the mid-1950s is dubious, but your timeline goes far into when the NCAA tourney was considered superior. By the late 1950s, the NCAA tournament was clearly superior. In the 1940s, when OSU claims their title, it was generally considered inferior.

In any case, since the mid-1950s, the NCAA tournament has been popularly regarded by most institutions as the pre-eminent post season tournament, with conference champions and the majority of the top-ranked teams participating in it.

See Wikipedia article that sources: Carlson, Chad (2012). "A Tale of Two Tournaments: The Red Cross Games and the Early NCAA-NIT Relationship". Journal of Intercollegiate Sport. 5: 270–271.

[mattyiceokc]

You can make this same claim with a lot of schools about a lot of things. Championships are championships. When is the cutoff year for when things don't matter anymore? 50s? 60s? 70s? Cause then we can go ahead and forget about anything Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer did right? Because people who are now almost 40 weren't alive for that.

And while trying to minimize OSU's more accomplished history, you failed to mention the gap in elite 8's, sweet sixteens and conference championships. OU also just recently passed OSU in the tournament win total. And it took OSU not winning a tournament game in over a decade to catch up.

But the biggest, absolute biggest reason OSU basketball is better than OU? OSU fans actually care about it. OU fans only care about football (but now are somehow HUGE Thunder fans, but I digress).

From 2017:
https://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball...ams-based-poll
OU: #20
OSU: #34

From 2019
https://bustingbrackets.com/2019/09/...programs-time/
OU: #24
OSU: Not ranked

OU has more all time wins and a better win percentage. I also like how you mention that OSU has more conference championships, but fail to mention that OU has more conference tournament championships. Also, OU has more NCAA appearances.

Get out of here with that OSU fans actually care about basketball. OSU basketball fans are just a wishy washy as OU basketball fans.

From 2015: https://pistolsfiringblog.com/oklaho...-gia-expanded/
From 2016: https://oklahoman.com/article/548002...wboy-fans-gone
From 2017: https://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsext...bc70f014c.html "But eight games into the season, Oklahoma State is 7-1. The Gallagher-Iba Arena average attendance is a meager 4,605 per game, worst in the Big 12." That sure doesnt seem like a fan base that "cares"
From 2018: https://twitter.com/EmptySeatsPics/s...30099132268545
From 2020: On Jan 18th (A Saturday), Attendance for OSU's game against #2 Baylor was 56% of capacity.

I'm tired of hearing this crap about OSU fans caring more. It's absolutely not true. And dont give me the excuse about the team being bad.

[Eric]

And dont give me the excuse about the team being bad.

It does make a difference. Went to some sold out girls games during this slump period for the boys. The girls were making some nice runs at the time. In the early 2000's right after GIA expanded, you would have been laughed at if you suggested the girls would selling out games in a season where the boys weren't. It was implausible to even consider that happening.

The key really does seem to be winning.

If you have a Top 25 caliber program in there, that venue and the fans are second to none in this country. It is as thrilling of an event to be at as there is.

My first game as a student was opening night against Cincinnati. Coached by Bob Huggins, a team that ultimately went 31-4, Conf USA champs, that ultimately got them a #1 seed in the tournament. Compared to OSU who ended up with a 7 seed. Waited for hours to get in (first come first serve seating). Luckily made it in the bottom section. It was insanely loud. Back and forth game with us slightly pulling away late. The place was rocking the whole time but when Jonzen power dunks over a Cinci player late in the game the place just came unglued.

And Noble on it's best day is mediocre. Just depressing frankly. I remember having this perception of OU growing up that it was the "finest institution in the state" and superior to OSU in many ways, but I grew up in a two Aggie household so I was WAY more familiar with Stillwater. Then I went to an event at Noble while I was in high school and was frankly shocked that a venue like this existed on that campus (well...barely on campus).

[Rover]

So, all the Poke fans are saying thy have a nice place to watch a substandard program play losing basketball. Lots of bragging rights. 😊

[mattyiceokc]

The key really does seem to be winning.

But according to other OSU fans, y'all supposedly care sooooo much more. Winning shouldn't matter if that's the case. OU still had attendance in the 65,000-75,000 range during the Blake era. (Capacity was just north of 75,000 IIRC)

And Noble on it's best day is mediocre. Just depressing frankly. I remember having this perception of OU growing up that it was the "finest institution in the state" and superior to OSU in many ways, but I grew up in a two Aggie household so I was WAY more familiar with Stillwater. Then I went to an event at Noble while I was in high school and was frankly shocked that a venue like this existed on that campus (well...barely on campus)

And before the renovations to Lewis Field, OU fans thought the same thing about how depressing your football stadium was. I'm not sure how we got on the subject of criticizing arenas though. I'm pretty sure the topic was which basketball program is historically better, and the answer is OU

[HangryHippo]

As an OU fan, Lloyd Noble is a huge piece of **** and needs to be replaced. It makes a college basketball game feel about as exciting as a funeral.

[GoGators]

But according to other OSU fans, y'all supposedly care sooooo much more. Winning shouldn't matter if that's the case. OU still had attendance in the 65,000-75,000 range during the Blake era. (Capacity was just north of 75,000 IIRC)



And before the renovations to Lewis Field, OU fans thought the same thing about how depressing your football stadium was. I'm not sure how we got on the subject of criticizing arenas though. I'm pretty sure the topic was which basketball program is historically better, and the answer is OU

Average attendance in the John Blake Era was 60,020

1996- 58,365
1997-61,482
1998-60,215

[mattyiceokc]

Average attendance in the John Blake Era was 60,020

1996- 58,365
1997-61,482
1998-60,215

1996: 66,901 Source: http://soonerstats.com/football/seas...All&location=H
1997: 69,616 Source: http://soonerstats.com/football/seas...All&location=H
1998: 70,777 Source: http://soonerstats.com/football/seas...All&location=H

All of those seasons had at least 1 game at 74,000+

My 65,000-75,000 range is correct.

Your average numbers are including AWAY games....

[dankrutka]

Let me take on some delusional OU posts that are now popping up:

1. OU fans in here acting like Gallagher-Iba is not a vastly superior venue to Lloyd Noble are kidding themselves. Lloyd Noble is not a great experience. GIA is much better.

2. My point earlier was only to challenge the idea that OSU is better than OU. People calling OSU "substandard" are being ridiculous. They are really similar programs that have both been historically good.

Homerism really is quite a drug.

[SoonerDave]

1996: 66,901 Source: http://soonerstats.com/football/seas...All&location=H
1997: 69,616 Source: http://soonerstats.com/football/seas...All&location=H
1998: 70,777 Source: http://soonerstats.com/football/seas...All&location=H

All of those seasons had at least 1 game at 74,000+

My 65,000-75,000 range is correct.

Your average numbers are including AWAY games....

Home attendance numbers at OU games during the Blake era were a fantastic work of absolute fiction.

Somewhere, somehow, they may well have convinced themselves they *sold* the number of tickets they reported, but in terms of rumps in the seats, forget it. I remember a KSU game one year where I walked in barely before kickoff, and had people BEGGING me to take their tickets. I sat in the chairbacks on the 50 yard line in the west upper deck, in a stadium where the endzones were (as a practical matter) empty and the sideline crowds looked like a highschool event. I remember asking myself, "Will OU football ever be a thing again?" And I remember thinking, at least at that time, no. And the announced attendance numbers were laughably false.

[Eric]

But according to other OSU fans, y'all supposedly care sooooo much more. Winning shouldn't matter if that's the case. OU still had attendance in the 65,000-75,000 range during the Blake era. (Capacity was just north of 75,000 IIRC)



And before the renovations to Lewis Field, OU fans thought the same thing about how depressing your football stadium was. I'm not sure how we got on the subject of criticizing arenas though. I'm pretty sure the topic was which basketball program is historically better, and the answer is OU

This is a non-sequitur. Read what I wrote. I am not disagreeing. I am simply stating the fact that Lloyd Noble is not the facility that GIA is. It's not personal. It wasn't personal when me as a sane human could plainly tell that Gaylord was on another planet vs Lewis pre-Boone Pickens.

[Eric]

Home attendance numbers at OU games during the Blake era were a fantastic work of absolute fiction.

Somewhere, somehow, they may well have convinced themselves they *sold* the number of tickets they reported, but in terms of rumps in the seats, forget it. I remember a KSU game one year where I walked in barely before kickoff, and had people BEGGING me to take their tickets. I sat in the chairbacks on the 50 yard line in the west upper deck, in a stadium where the endzones were (as a practical matter) empty and the sideline crowds looked like a highschool event. I remember asking myself, "Will OU football ever be a thing again?" And I remember thinking, at least at that time, no. And the announced attendance numbers were laughably false.

I'd been to Sooner basketball games and in the 90's early 2000's and thought the same thing. They would announce attendance of 10k and I would look around thinking, there was no way it was more than half full. I just assumed they were announcing ticket sales. Friends of mine would tell me they would get basketball tickets with their season football ticket purchases. Not sure if this is still a thing.

[Eric]

As an OU fan, Lloyd Noble is a huge piece of **** and needs to be replaced. It makes a college basketball game feel about as exciting as a funeral.

Similarly pre-BP it was pretty easy for me to admit the substandard nature of Lewis Field.

[Stew]

There's always next year.

[BoulderSooner]

This is a non-sequitur. Read what I wrote. I am not disagreeing. I am simply stating the fact that Lloyd Noble is not the facility that GIA is. It's not personal. It wasn't personal when me as a sane human could plainly tell that Gaylord was on another planet vs Lewis pre-Boone Pickens.

your are correct the LNC doesn't have any bad seats every seat has a great view of the game


GIA every upper level seat has a garbage view of the game .. it is a terrible place to watch basketball unless you are close to the court

and oklahoma memorial stadium still is on a different planet compared to Boone

[Colbafone]

As someone who attended OU and a fan of all Oklahoma based college sport teams...


OU fans are absolutely delusional most of the time.

[jedicurt]

as someone who attended ou and a fan of all oklahoma based college sport teams...


Ou fans are absolutely delusional most of the time.

this!!!!!