Men's Basketball: Back in Time #6

July 16, 2007

NORMAN, Okla. - Each Monday through August, SoonerSports.com will take you back in time with the OU men's basketball program as we highlight some of the biggest games and biggest names from the 1970s, '80s, '90s and 2000s.

The sixth installment features a classic contest that included a classic moment during a break in first-half action. In early February of the 1988-89 season, the No. 5 Sooners (19-3) hosted No. 3 Missouri (20-3) in a game that would determine the Big Eight Conference leader.

The game went down as one of the most entertaining in school history. But it was the antics of head coach Billy Tubbs about five minutes into the affair that forever cemented this contest in the minds of those who attended or watched on ESPN.

Feb. 9, 1989
No. 5 Oklahoma vs. No. 3 Missouri | Box Score

It stands as the most famous plea in Oklahoma basketball history. A request from OU head coach Billy Tubbs was made to the Lloyd Noble Center fans, but the surprise delivery seemed to impact his players more than anyone in the stands.

With his fifth-ranked Sooners trailing third-ranked Missouri 21-8 five minutes into a Thursday night ESPN game and the home crowd upset about the early officiating, Tubbs was asked by referee Ed Hightower to make a public address announcement to discourage the record crowd of 11,734 from throwing objects onto the court. Tubbs sort of cooperated.

1989 OU vs. Missouri Video Highlights

"The referees request," began the quick-witted Tubbs as he clutched the microphone in his right hand, "that regardless of how terrible the officiating is, do not throw stuff on the floor."

The stunt drew a standing ovation from those in attendance but also earned Tubbs his second technical foul in less than a minute. The other immediate - and most prominent - effect was the inspiration the outburst had on Tubbs' squad as it battled to claim first place in the Big Eight Conference race.

After Byron Irvin's two technical free throws put the Tigers ahead by a stunning 23-8 count, the Sooners ambushed Missouri for a 28-9 run and a 36-32 lead. Seniors Mookie Blaylock (nine) and Tyrone Jones (eight) netted a combined 17 of the team's 28 points during the comeback.

The quick turnaround did anything but seal the game for OU, however, as the contest was tied 53-53 at halftime and went down to the wire.

With no team gaining more than a four-point second-half advantage, OU found itself ahead 103-101 when Skeeter Henry went to the line for a one-and-one opportunity with a minute remaining. The junior's first attempt was true but his second was off the mark. Senior Stacey King grabbed the board but failed to score on his putback. Sticking with the play, the smooth left-handed center grabbed his own miss and gave the Sooners a four-point possession when he made the shot, was fouled and made the free throw.

Just like that, OU's two-point margin grew to six and Tubbs' Sooners held on for a breathtaking 112-105 victory.

"It doesn't matter about how big you are, it's how much heart you have," said King about the battle under the basket during OU's late four-point possession. "On Skeeter's free throw, I just tried to push Doug Smith under the basket. I don't like to lose."

King finished with game highs of 32 points and 13 rebounds. Jones netted 26 points with the help of 4-for-8 3-point shooting and Blaylock added 22 points and four steals.

The Sooners took over first place in the league standings, moving to 20-3 overall and 7-1 in conference. Missouri dropped to 20-4 and 6-1.

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After the game, Tubbs commented about his microphone address.

"I didn't know I was going to get a technical," he said. "If I had to do it all over again, I would say some things differently."

Tubbs added, "With all that went on today, it kind of makes this game immaterial considering what Norm's going through."

Tubbs was referring to Missouri head coach Norm Stewart, who blacked out on the flight to Oklahoma and missed the game as he was hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer. Assistant Rich Daly served as Stewart's replacement.

Said Daly about the game's first five minutes, "Everything we threw up was going in. If you think that's going to happen for 40 minutes, it's just not true."

Irvin, one of six Mizzou players who scored in double figures, finished with a team-high 22 points. Smith and Gary Leonard registered 18 apiece while Anthony Peeler added 17.

Notes: Missouri lost despite shooting 57.3 percent from the field (Oklahoma shot 46.7 percent) ... OU made eight 3-pointers while the Tigers made one ... Oklahoma won for the 89th time in 91 home games and ran its home winning streak to 25 games ... The Sooners trailed 8-0, 10-1, 15-3 and 23-8 before taking a 36-32 lead ... OU went on to beat No. 1-ranked Arizona three days later (82-80) to claim the nation's top ranking ... Stacey King was the No. 6 overall selection in the 1989 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls and Mookie Blaylock was taken with the No. 12 pick by the New Jersey Nets.

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