Amanda Knapp
Oklahoma has a rich history in basketball, with the sport becoming increasingly popular in small towns with Black populations following the end of segregated competition in 1955. The state's high schools have enjoyed success in the sport, with Norman High winning the state championship in 1956, and the historically all-Black towns of Taft and Boley winning state championships post-integration. The University of Oklahoma has also excelled in basketball, playing in the NCAA tournament 33 times and making it to the Final Four five times. However, despite their success in other sports, Oklahoma has never won a national championship in basketball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in basketball | 0 |
| Number of team national championships won by Oklahoma in total | 29 |
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in football | 7 |
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in men's gymnastics | 9 |
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in wrestling | 7 |
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in baseball | 2 |
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in softball | 2 |
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in women's gymnastics | 1 |
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in men's golf | 1 |
| Number of national championships won by Oklahoma in women's gymnastics | 7 |
| Number of conference championships won by Oklahoma in basketball | 21 |
| Number of appearances by Oklahoma in the NCAA tournament | 33 |
| Number of appearances by Oklahoma in the Final Four | 5 |
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What You'll Learn
Oklahoma has never won a national championship in basketball
Oklahoma has a rich history of success in college sports, with teams from the state's universities achieving national championship glory in a variety of disciplines. However, despite this consistent success across a range of sports, no Oklahoma college basketball team has ever won a national championship.
The University of Oklahoma, for example, has a proud athletic tradition, with its teams, the Sooners, consistently delivering outstanding results. The Sooners have amassed an impressive collection of national titles, with teams from a diverse range of sports bringing home the championship trophy. These include sports such as football, men's and women's gymnastics, wrestling, baseball, softball, and men's golf. In fact, the University of Oklahoma boasts an incredible streak, having won at least one national title for twelve consecutive years. However, despite this remarkable run, a national championship title in basketball has eluded them.
The Sooners have come close to basketball glory on several occasions. In 1947, they reached the final game of the NCAA tournament, only to suffer a loss against Holy Cross. Over four decades later, in 1988, the University of Oklahoma men's basketball team, coached by Billy Tubbs, once again found themselves on the cusp of a national championship. Unfortunately, they fell short, losing to the Kansas Jayhawks in the final.
While the University of Oklahoma has come close, they are not the only prominent basketball team in the state. Oklahoma State University, formerly known as Oklahoma A&M, has also fielded competitive basketball teams over the years. Under the renowned coach Henry Iba, Oklahoma A&M's teams dominated the college basketball scene in the 1940s, winning national championships in 1945 and 1946. However, these championship wins were achieved before the existence of the NCAA Tournament, which began in 1954. Since the establishment of the modern NCAA Tournament, Oklahoma State University has not been able to replicate its previous national championship success.
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Oklahoma has won 7 national championships in football
Oklahoma has won seven national championships in football. The Oklahoma Sooners football team, which started in 1895, has been one of the most successful college football programs in history. The Sooners have won 944 games, ranking sixth all-time in winning percentage at .725. They have had 897 appearances in the AP poll, with 101 of them being at No. 1, which is the third-highest.
The Sooners have won seven unanimous national championships. Coach Bob Stoops led the team to a perfect 13-0 record in 2000, winning the Orange Bowl (BCS National Championship Game) against Florida State. This was the Sooners' seventh and most recent national championship. The Sooners' first five national championships came in 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, and 1975. In 1950, Coach Bud Wilkinson led Oklahoma to a 10-1 record but lost in the Sugar Bowl. In 1955, Wilkinson led the team to an 11-0 record and won the Orange Bowl against Maryland. The following year, they went 10-0. Barry Switzer led the Sooners to an 11-0 record in 1974, and they finished 11-1 in 1975, winning the Orange Bowl against Michigan.
The Sooners have also won 50 league championships while not playing in the Southeastern Conference. In addition to their seven national championships, they have 11 unclaimed titles, depending on the source: 1915, 1949, 1953, 1957, 1967, 1973, 1978, 1980, 1986, 2003, and 2008. The Sooners have come close to winning another national championship in recent years, appearing in three BCS National Championship Games since 2000 and making the College Football Playoff four times. However, they have yet to win a game in the College Football Playoff.
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Bertha Teague, a pioneering women's basketball coach
Oklahoma has won 29 team national championships across a variety of sports, but basketball is not one of them. The Sooners have had seven national championship wins in football, as well as nine in men's gymnastics, seven in wrestling, two in baseball, two in softball, one in women's gymnastics, and one in men's golf.
While Oklahoma has yet to win a national championship in basketball, the state has a pioneering women's basketball coach, Bertha Frank Teague, who led her team to a state championship in 1921. Teague is the author of "Basketball for Girls," a comprehensive guide to basketball tailored to young female players. The book covers all aspects of the sport, from basic rules and techniques to advanced strategies and tactics. It includes instructions on shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, and defending, as well as tips on conditioning, teamwork, and mental preparation.
Bertha Teague's impact on the sport extended beyond her role as a coach. Her book, "Basketball for Girls," has earned her a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame. Over 43 years of coaching, her teams won 1,157 games, and she coached 22 teams to state championships, winning eight state championships.
Teague's legacy is an inspiration to female basketball players and coaches, and her book continues to be a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills and excel on the court. Her success as a coach and author has helped to pave the way for future generations of women in basketball, both on and off the court.
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Denny, a basketball patriarch
Denny's sons, Mark, Matt, and Brent, followed in his footsteps, excelling in high school basketball and playing college basketball. Mark and Brent even performed in the NBA. Basketball was in their blood, and the patriarch passed away doing what he loved—playing basketball with his sons in December 2000.
While the University of Oklahoma has a rich athletic history with numerous national championships across various sports, they have never won a national championship in basketball. However, they have come close, with several notable appearances in the NCAA tournament, including five times in the Final Four.
Oklahoma's basketball history also includes legendary figures like Henry Iba, who coached at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) for thirty-six years. His teams won national championships in 1945 and 1946, and he also coached three Olympic basketball teams, winning two gold medals and a silver medal.
Another innovator at the University of Oklahoma was Bruce Drake, known for his "Drake shuffle." He played on the undefeated 1928 OU basketball team that won the Missouri Valley Conference and the Big Six title the following year. As a coach, he led the 1939 Oklahoma team to the NCAA's first Final Four.
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Bruce Drake, an innovator at the University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma has enjoyed success in a variety of sports, winning 29 national championships across several disciplines. However, Oklahoma has never won a national championship in basketball. Despite this, one man stands out as an innovator and a pivotal figure in the history of basketball at the university: Bruce Drake.
Bruce Drake, born in Gentry, Texas, in 1905, was a multi-sport athlete and a star player for Hugh McDermott's Oklahoma team. He went on to become a highly successful coach, serving as the head coach of the University of Oklahoma's men's basketball team from 1938 to 1955. During his tenure, Drake led the Sooners to two Final Four appearances, in 1939 and 1947, and won or shared six Big Six/Big Seven conference titles. At the time of his retirement, he was the winningest coach in the University of Oklahoma's history, with a record of 200–181.
Drake is credited with developing the shuffle offense, a significant tactical innovation in basketball. He also played a pivotal role in making goaltending illegal, a rule change that had a profound impact on the sport. Drake's expertise and influence extended beyond the collegiate level, as he served as the Chairman of the NCAA Rules Committee from 1951 to 1955. His contributions to the sport were recognized in 1973 when he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a coach.
Drake's impact on the game extended beyond his tactical innovations and rule changes. He coached five Olympians and three All-Americans, including Jimmy McNatt, Gerald Tucker, and Allie Paine. In 1958, he coached the Wichita Vickers in the National Industrial Basketball League, tying for first place with his former player, Gerald Tucker, who was coaching the Bartlesville Phillips 66ers. Drake's success as a coach and his influence on the sport are undeniable, and he remains a pivotal figure in the history of basketball at the University of Oklahoma.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Oklahoma has never won a national championship in basketball. However, they have won national championships in other sports, including football, wrestling, baseball, softball, and gymnastics.
In 1988, Oklahoma played for the national championship but lost to the Kansas Jayhawks.
Yes, Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) won national championships in 1945 and 1946.
