1980-81 NIT CHAMPIONS BASKETBALL TEAM

1980-81 NIT Championship Basketball Team

Hall of Fame Honor Team

Class of 1998

Nolan Richardson came to Tulsa after just posting a 37-0 record and winning the National Junior College Championship at Western Texas Junior College … along with him Richardson brought four of his starters … after a 69-60 home win over No. 8-ranked and defending national champion Louisville, it was obvious that great things were in store for this team … Golden Hurricane basketball was re-born … after winning just 10 games the year before, Richardson’s first Tulsa team compiled an overall 26-7 record and second-place 11-5 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference … Tulsa received an invitation to the NIT and proceeded to defeat Pan American, UTEP and South Alabama to earn a trip to New York City and Madison Square Garden for the NIT’s final four … Tulsa defeated West Virginia 89-87 in the semifinal and won the NIT trophy with n 86-84 overtime win over Syracuse … in the year, Tulsa posted a 15-0 home record, the “Rubberband Man” Paul Pressey was a first-team all-Valley selection and the league’s Newcomer of the Year, Greg Stewart and David Brown were second-team all-MVC performers, Nolan Richardson was the MVC Coach of the Year and Greg Stewart was named the NIT Championship MVP.

Team Members: Mike Anderson, Steve Ballard, David Brown, Johnny Craven, Jeff Kovach, Jim Lacey, Brad Laraba, Ed Lindblad, Ty Nilsson, Paul Pressey, Rondie Turner, Phil Spradling, Bob Stevenson, Greg Stewart, Bruce Vanley

Head Coach: Nolan Richardson

Assistant Coaches: Scott Edgar, Andy Stoglin

Manager: John Lacey