University of Oklahoma Sports

[SEMIweather]

Your post indicates you have no or little knowledge of crowd size during the Tubbs era, or most of Sampson era.

Hell, even last year, 2/3rds of the conference games were sold out. Put a decent product on the floor and people will come to the games, it’s not rocket science.

[PhiAlpha]

Your post indicates you have no or little knowledge of crowd size during the Tubbs era, or most of Sampson era.

Came here to say this. People called it Loud Noble at one point. Crowds weren’t an issue through most of the Griffin era from what I remember either.

[Celebrator]

I went to that heartbreaker against LSU last Saturday night, and I actually thought for the age of the place, LNC still holds up as a good place to watch a college basketball game. I like the single concourse which gives you a view of the court the entire way around, the gentle slope of the stairs, good sightlines, easy parking. And while GIA is more historic and loud, I actually think going to games at OU are easier for fans than at OSU as far as parking, the layout of the arena, etc. I don't think it is a "terrible" arena, actually.

[Boop]

David Boren passed away last night, rest in peace David

[barrettd]

That is weak sauce rationalization.
Bama, Auburn, and Florida are so called football schools, yet are projected #1seeds for the tourney.
In addition there are 6 more SEC schools in the top 25. Other than Kentucky, "football schools". When you have an AD that recognizes you can excel in both sports you have success. It is not a binary choice. I question if Joe C can walk and chew gum at the same time.

I'm not sure what issue you have. My response was to the poster saying the athletic department was more interested in OU football than basketball. I think it's hard to argue that's been the case. I'm not arguing a school can't have both. But to think OU is ever going to prioritize basketball over football is a fantasy, in my opinion.

[ditm4567]

David Boren passed away last night, rest in peace David

Condolences to his family. And may his victims find closure.

[SEMIweather]

Since I spend a lot of time being pessimistic about men’s basketball on here, I should also note that the women’s team is putting together a solid season and admission is free for their home game against Vanderbilt at 6:00 p.m. tonight. Have had a lot of fun going to the women’s games this year and they really do deserve larger crowds than they’ve been getting. They should be in position to host a regional in the tournament if they win their last four regular season games, and Vandy is decent so tonight is a key game in that regard. Both teams like to play up-tempo and Vandy has a star freshman who has scored 50+ points twice in her last five games, so it sets up as a high-scoring affair. Anyways, just figured I’d try and sell some people on making the drive down to the LNC given the free admission.

[dankrutka]

Your post indicates you have no or little knowledge of crowd size during the Tubbs era, or most of Sampson era.

As a student during the Sampson era who went to just about every game, your assumption is not correct.

Even when the program was humming in the early 2000s, there were still often empty seats except for the biggest games. But, yes, fan support has been on decline since then. Even at its best, OU never had near the fan enthusiasm of blueblood programs even when OU was as good.

However, that missed my bigger point that there’s also no money for basketball and never really has been. The Lloyd Noble sucked 20 years ago, OU was good, and they couldn’t raise money for serious improvements. Again, NIL has exposed the lack of support that has long been there. Compared to support, the program has massively overachieved.