(04-08-2017 03:14 PM)SHOCK_value Wrote:  Haven't read the whole thread, but I've heard the WSU-Tulsa rivalry was once similar to the WSU-Creighton rivalry, which frankly is hard to imagine considering how genial and down-to-earth Tulsa fans/alums are that I've come across either in-person or online. That is obviously not something that can be said of the WSU-Creighton dynamic over the past 15 years or so. Not even close.

So would the 1980's and 1990's version of me have more abrasive feelings toward the Hurricane? I ask because right now I'm not feeling anything outside of the fact that's it's nice to have another decent and legitimate MBB in-conference relative just a couple of hours away by interstate (that's "close" out here in flyover country).

Well, welcome to this board...

(04-08-2017 03:24 PM)shockerfan1313 Wrote:  

(04-08-2017 03:14 PM)SHOCK_value Wrote:  Haven't read the whole thread, but I've heard the WSU-Tulsa rivalry was once similar to the WSU-Creighton rivalry, which frankly is hard to imagine considering how genial and down-to-earth Tulsa fans/alums are that I've come across either in-person or online. That is obviously not something that can be said of the WSU-Creighton dynamic over the past 15 years or so. Not even close.

So would the 1980's and 1990's version of me have more abrasive feelings toward the Hurricane? I ask because right now I'm not feeling anything outside of the fact that's it's nice to have another decent and legitimate MBB in-conference relative just a couple of hours away by interstate (that's "close" out here in flyover country).

From my understanding a lot of it had to do with the players and coaching staff in the 80's. It was at its highest when Nolan Richardson was at Tulsa and Gene Smithson was at WSU. They did not like each other and several players didn't either.

At least that is the story I am told. Had a lot to do with fueling the rivalry.

Some older posters can probably expand on the stories

As just the whpiper snapper I am, I can't say anything about how the rivalry used to be. But the way I see it now, WSU is a team that I hope to beat every year, not from a stance of hatred but from a competitive standpoint. And also because of the regional rivalry, the history between us, and the fact that your team is good. Everyone likes to beat good teams!

Yep, Antoine Carr and Cliff Levingston (and later the X man) played some tough basketball. Nolan and the Tulsa players didn't always appreciate it and made their feelings known. This lead to similar feelings amongst the fans.

(04-08-2017 05:00 PM)Nevadanatural Wrote:  Yep, Antoine Carr and Cliff Levingston (and later the X man) played some tough basketball. Nolan and the Tulsa players didn't always appreciate it and made their feelings known. This lead to similar feelings amongst the fans.

Our first game back in the conference together, we need to get some of the old players from that rivalry in the building.

This is precisely what basketball side needed, another solid basketball member... These matchups here are going to be pretty exciting to watch, definitely worth every $$$.

Cincinnati vs Wichita State
Memphis vs Cincinnati
Wichita State vs UConn
UConn vs Cincinnati
Memphis vs Wichita State
Houston vs SMU
Wichita State vs Temple
SMU vs Wichita State
Houston vs Wichita State
Tulsa vs Wichita State
UConn vs Memphis
... so and so on... My

TV networks are gonna have to pay up now.

(04-09-2017 08:56 AM)BigHouston Wrote:  This is precisely what basketball side needed, another solid basketball member... These matchups here are going to be pretty exciting to watch, definitely worth every $$$.

Cincinnati vs Wichita State
Memphis vs Cincinnati
Wichita State vs UConn
UConn vs Cincinnati
Memphis vs Wichita State
Houston vs SMU
Wichita State vs Temple
SMU vs Wichita State
Houston vs Wichita State
Tulsa vs Wichita State
UConn vs Memphis
... so and so on... My

TV networks are gonna have to pay up now.

You missed the one that was the most anticipated matchup this year - SMU vs Cincinnati

I remember the old rivalry between WSU and Tulsa. I HATED Tulsa more than any team on earth, including the Dallas Cowboys. The games were absolute battles. I had deep respect for Tulsa and how ferociously they played. Nolan Richardson and Gene Smithson did not like each other at all and it was obvious. The teams carried their coach's dislike for each other onto the floor with them. I nearly cried when Tulsa left the Valley. There was no one happier when the WSU v Tulsa rivalry was renewed. It is absolutely amazing to be able to play them twice in a year again, and this time the games really have meaning again. For me growing up, this was THE rivalry, I hope it will be again.

(04-09-2017 09:21 AM)CalallenStang Wrote:  

(04-09-2017 08:56 AM)BigHouston Wrote:  This is precisely what basketball side needed, another solid basketball member... These matchups here are going to be pretty exciting to watch, definitely worth every $$$.

Cincinnati vs Wichita State
Memphis vs Cincinnati
Wichita State vs UConn
UConn vs Cincinnati
Memphis vs Wichita State
Houston vs SMU
Wichita State vs Temple
SMU vs Wichita State
Houston vs Wichita State
Tulsa vs Wichita State
UConn vs Memphis
... so and so on... My

TV networks are gonna have to pay up now.

You missed the one that was the most anticipated matchup this year - SMU vs Cincinnati

Not really ^^^ but should've forgottenl them on these top AAC matchups.

(04-09-2017 12:53 PM)BuCoShocker Wrote:  I remember the old rivalry between WSU and Tulsa. I HATED Tulsa more than any team on earth, including the Dallas Cowboys. The games were absolute battles. I had deep respect for Tulsa and how ferociously they played. Nolan Richardson and Gene Smithson did not like each other at all and it was obvious. The teams carried their coach's dislike for each other onto the floor with them. I nearly cried when Tulsa left the Valley. There was no one happier when the WSU v Tulsa rivalry was renewed. It is absolutely amazing to be able to play them twice in a year again, and this time the games really have meaning again. For me growing up, this was THE rivalry, I hope it will be again.

Tulsa fans spell it differently. They spell it 'Teh Rivalry' for some reason.

(04-09-2017 02:37 PM)canewton Wrote:  

(04-09-2017 12:53 PM)BuCoShocker Wrote:  I remember the old rivalry between WSU and Tulsa. I HATED Tulsa more than any team on earth, including the Dallas Cowboys. The games were absolute battles. I had deep respect for Tulsa and how ferociously they played. Nolan Richardson and Gene Smithson did not like each other at all and it was obvious. The teams carried their coach's dislike for each other onto the floor with them. I nearly cried when Tulsa left the Valley. There was no one happier when the WSU v Tulsa rivalry was renewed. It is absolutely amazing to be able to play them twice in a year again, and this time the games really have meaning again. For me growing up, this was THE rivalry, I hope it will be again.

Tulsa fans spell it differently. They spell it 'Teh Rivalry' for some reason.

Oklahoma public schools. Just can't be helped.

(04-09-2017 02:37 PM)canewton Wrote:  

(04-09-2017 12:53 PM)BuCoShocker Wrote:  I remember the old rivalry between WSU and Tulsa. I HATED Tulsa more than any team on earth, including the Dallas Cowboys. The games were absolute battles. I had deep respect for Tulsa and how ferociously they played. Nolan Richardson and Gene Smithson did not like each other at all and it was obvious. The teams carried their coach's dislike for each other onto the floor with them. I nearly cried when Tulsa left the Valley. There was no one happier when the WSU v Tulsa rivalry was renewed. It is absolutely amazing to be able to play them twice in a year again, and this time the games really have meaning again. For me growing up, this was THE rivalry, I hope it will be again.

Tulsa fans spell it differently. They spell it 'Teh Rivalry' for some reason.

Such a heated rivalry spelling goes out the window

And was created by our most famous Memphis Poster

(04-09-2017 02:42 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(04-09-2017 02:37 PM)canewton Wrote:  

(04-09-2017 12:53 PM)BuCoShocker Wrote:  I remember the old rivalry between WSU and Tulsa. I HATED Tulsa more than any team on earth, including the Dallas Cowboys. The games were absolute battles. I had deep respect for Tulsa and how ferociously they played. Nolan Richardson and Gene Smithson did not like each other at all and it was obvious. The teams carried their coach's dislike for each other onto the floor with them. I nearly cried when Tulsa left the Valley. There was no one happier when the WSU v Tulsa rivalry was renewed. It is absolutely amazing to be able to play them twice in a year again, and this time the games really have meaning again. For me growing up, this was THE rivalry, I hope it will be again.

Tulsa fans spell it differently. They spell it 'Teh Rivalry' for some reason.

Such a heated rivalry spelling goes out the window

And was created by our most famous Memphis Poster

And is saved for coog high and their food poisoning ways.

(04-09-2017 12:53 PM)BuCoShocker Wrote:  I remember the old rivalry between WSU and Tulsa. I HATED Tulsa more than any team on earth, including the Dallas Cowboys. The games were absolute battles. I had deep respect for Tulsa and how ferociously they played. Nolan Richardson and Gene Smithson did not like each other at all and it was obvious. The teams carried their coach's dislike for each other onto the floor with them. I nearly cried when Tulsa left the Valley. There was no one happier when the WSU v Tulsa rivalry was renewed. It is absolutely amazing to be able to play them twice in a year again, and this time the games really have meaning again. For me growing up, this was THE rivalry, I hope it will be again.

Not old enough to be here in Nolan's day, but every blue hair ever has hated Wichita, they have passed the hate on, in the 1990s it was ferocious and fun, when we left the valley it just became less frequent. One of my favorite memories in the Reynolds Center is Jarius Glenn's block out of no where his senior year against Wichita. Dante Swanson wearing his hair in shock's for a game in Wichita. Yeah its going to be fun again. Just got to get back to where TU belongs so we can really fight it out.

(04-09-2017 02:37 PM)canewton Wrote:  

(04-09-2017 12:53 PM)BuCoShocker Wrote:  I remember the old rivalry between WSU and Tulsa. I HATED Tulsa more than any team on earth, including the Dallas Cowboys. The games were absolute battles. I had deep respect for Tulsa and how ferociously they played. Nolan Richardson and Gene Smithson did not like each other at all and it was obvious. The teams carried their coach's dislike for each other onto the floor with them. I nearly cried when Tulsa left the Valley. There was no one happier when the WSU v Tulsa rivalry was renewed. It is absolutely amazing to be able to play them twice in a year again, and this time the games really have meaning again. For me growing up, this was THE rivalry, I hope it will be again.

Tulsa fans spell it differently. They spell it 'Teh Rivalry' for some reason.

Teh Rivalry flies out the window when it comes to basketball.

(04-09-2017 12:53 PM)BuCoShocker Wrote:  I remember the old rivalry between WSU and Tulsa. I HATED Tulsa more than any team on earth, including the Dallas Cowboys. The games were absolute battles. I had deep respect for Tulsa and how ferociously they played. Nolan Richardson and Gene Smithson did not like each other at all and it was obvious. The teams carried their coach's dislike for each other onto the floor with them. I nearly cried when Tulsa left the Valley. There was no one happier when the WSU v Tulsa rivalry was renewed. It is absolutely amazing to be able to play them twice in a year again, and this time the games really have meaning again. For me growing up, this was THE rivalry, I hope it will be again.

I went on YouTube yesterday and watched a compilation from an '85 TU victory in Wichita and the WSU win in the '87 conference tournament final in Tulsa. I honestly expected to find more TU/WSU on YouTube. I was looking for the 81-82 game in Tulsa where Paul Pressey had about a dozen steals. Those were great games.

There is no comparison between the former WSU/Tulsa and the WSU/Creighton rivalries. The Tulsa rivalry was all about basketball. You always knew both teams were going to leave it all on the court in those games. They were war.

I think the main reason you can call WSU/Creighton a "rivalry" is because WSU fans just didn't care for the fighting sweater vests that were Creighton fans. Then there was the fact that CU and WSU became the top teams in the conference.