Tulsa Legend Hopeful for TU

Originally Published: Mar 9, 2010 4:5 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – Nolan Richardson knows a thing or two about winning college basketball games. His 1994 Arkansas Razorbacks won the NCAA title. He also led the University of Tulsa to 119 wins in five seasons as the head coach of the Golden Hurricane, including a 1981 NIT Championship.

The 68-year-old, now back in town as the head man for the WNBA’s Tulsa Shock, thinks this year’s Golden Hurricane squad has a shot at success in this week’s Conference USA tournament.

“My assessment of Tulsa is that they have a good basketball team,” said Richardson. “If the things happen the right way and they get the right breaks, they’ve got a chance to continue to play some basketball this year.

“You’ve got to have talent and you’ve got to have some luck.”

Tulsa finished the season 21-10 overall but struggled down the stretch. The Golden Hurricane ended the regular season with just three wins in its last nine games, and backed into the fifth seed in the league tournament.

This year, the conference championship battle shifts from Memphis to downtown Tulsa. The BOK Center will host a four-day event to crown the league champion. TU has finished second to the Memphis Tigers each of the past two seasons, but could turn the tables on Conference USA in its own backyard this year.

“I’d take my chances at being home any day of the week.”

Tulsa head coach Doug Wojcik has high hopes for his team this week. Tulsa’s only losses this season have come to the top four teams in the league. They begin the tournament against the lowest seeded team Wednesday night.

Richardson thinks this could be the team’s year.

“I don’t see any clear-cut team that just dominates,” he said. “It’s a new season. Everybody’s zero-zero.”

Tulsa and Rice tip off at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.