Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma Basketball: Sooners’ Five Best NCAA Tournament Years

By Chip Rouse

Mar 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lon Kruger reacts to a call in the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lon Kruger reacts to a call in the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Big 12 Conference tournament at Sprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners mascot entertains the fans dressed as a Star Wars character in a break in action against the Creighton Bluejays during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; The Oklahoma Sooners mascot entertains the fans dressed as a Star Wars character in a break in action against the Creighton Bluejays during the first half at Lloyd Noble Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

1938-39 Oklahoma Sooners

In the 77-year history of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Oklahoma has only been to four Final Fours and just twice have the Sooners made it all the way to the national championship game. One of those time, however, was 1939, the very first year for the NCAA Tournament.

Oklahoma was one of just eight teams that made up the NCAA Tournament at that point. Co-champions of the Big Six Conference, the Sooners only played a total of 21 games that season, winning 12 of them.

The Sooners were led that season by new head coach Bruce Drake, who went on to coach for 17 seasons at Oklahoma (nine while OU was a member of the Big Six Conference and eight as a member of the Big Seven) and record 200 wins there.

OU got by Utah State in the Western Regional semifinals, but the Sooners tournament run came to an end in the regional finals, as All-American Jimmy McNatt and his Sooner teammates suffered an 18-point defeat to eventual national champion Oregon, managing just 37 total points in a 55-37 loss.

Oregon went on to defeat Ohio State for the 1938-39 national championship. Oklahoma would not make a return appearance in the NCAA Tournament for four more years.

Next: 2001-02 Oklahoma Sooners

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