Throwback Tulsa: TU becomes NIT champions for second time 20 years ago today
20 years ago today, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane were NIT champions for the second time.
The circumstances surrounding Tulsa’s 2001 NIT title were totally different than the first championship 20 years earlier.
There was no massive celebration after this NIT, unlike 20 years ago when Nolan Richardson guided the Hurricane to the NIT championship.
In 2001, Tulsa players acted on the Madison Square Garden court just like they had won a regular-season game. There was no massive downtown celebration as Buzz Peterson ended his only season as TU’s coach by immediately leaving to take that position at Tennessee.
TU defeated UC Irvine, Minnesota, Mississippi State,Memphis and Alabama to win that season. Take a look back at their run here:
2001 NIT championship run
In a David and Goliath match up, TU's Jason Parker at 6' 2' is fouled by Irvine's 7' 2' Sean Jackson in the first round of the NIT in Tulsa, OK, March 14, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's Greg Harrington pulls down a defensive rebound past Irvine's Ben Jones as David Shelton (center) looks on during the first round of the NIT in Tulsa, OK, March 14, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's Marcus Hill is fouled by Irvine's J. R. Christ as Kevin Johnson (left) looks on during the first round of the NIT in Tulsa, OK, March 14, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's Jack Ingram, Jason Parker and marqus Ledoux watch in dismay as their lead over Minnesota is lost in regular time of their 2nd round game in the NIT in Minneapolis, MN, March 19, 2001. TU went on to win in overtime 76-73. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
In their last time out in the overtime, TU head coach Buzz Peterson rallies Marcus Hill, Greg Harrington, Dante Swanson, David Shelton and Kevin Johnson to defeat Minnesota 76-73 in the 2nd round game of the NIT in Minneapolis, MN, March 19, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's Jack Ingram, Jason Parker and Antonio Reed react after Marcus Hill is fouled in the final minute of overtime, insuring their win over Minnesota in the 2nd round game of the NIT in Minneapolis, MN, March 19, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's David Shelton wrestles a ball from Minnesota's Kerwin Flemming in overtime of their 2nd round game in the NIT in Minneapolis, MN, March 19, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's Dante Swanson drives past Mississippi State's Antonio Jackson in first half action of their quarterfinal NIT game in Starkville, MS, March 21, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU head coach Buzz Peterson contests a foul with officials during their game against Mississippi State in the quarterfinal NIT game in Starkville, MS, March 21, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU players Marqus Ledoux, Dante Swanson, Kevin Johnson, Greg Harrington and Antonio Reed celebrate their win against Mississippi State in their quarterfinal NIT game in Starkville, MS, March 21, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's bench of Dante Swanson, Jack Ingram, Charlie Davis, Jason Parker and Marqus Ledoux react to their win against Mississippi State in the quarterfinal NIT game in Starkville, MS, March 21, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
Despite late pressure from Memphis' defense, TU's David Shelton goes up for a shot during the Golden Hurricane's game against Memphis during the NIT tournament, Tuesday March 27, 2001 at Madison Square Gardens. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
University of Tulsa's (TU) Dante Swanson reaches in on Memphis' Shyrone Chatman during the Golden Hurricane's game against Memphis during the NIT tournament, Tuesday March 27, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
Tu Alumni and Supporter Bill Shouse cheers for TU during the Golden Hurricane's game against Memphis during the NIT tournament, Tuesday March 27, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
Head Coach Buzz Peterson talks with David Shelton during the Golden Hurricane's game against Memphis during the NIT tournament, Tuesday March 27, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
Tulsa's David Shelton and Memphis' Kelly Wise collide under the basket as they chase a rebound during the Golden Hurricane's game against Memphis during the NIT tournament, Tuesday March 27, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's Marcus Hill slams home the first dunk of the game during Tulsa's game against Alabama in the NIT Tournament Championship game March 29, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's (University of Tulsa) Dante Swanson steps through pressure from Alabama's Rod Grizzard (on floor) and Terrance Meade (right) as they chase a loose ball during Tulsa's game against Alabama in the NIT Tournament Championship game March 29, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU's Marcus Hill embraces David Shelton following Tulsa's 79-60 win over Alabama in the NIT Tournament Championship game March 29, 2001 at Madison Square Gardens. Hill was the game's MVP. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
Buzz Peterson and Greg Harrington embrace following University of Tulsa's 7960 win over Alabama in the NIT Tournament Championship game March 29, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
Tulsa head Coach Buzz Peterson waves the net around following Tulsa's 79-60 win over Alabama in the NIT Tournament Championship game March 29, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
Head coach Buzz Peterson lifts his three-year-old son Rob in the air following Tulsa's 79-60 win over Alabama in the NIT Tournament Championship game March 29, 2001 at Madison Square Garden. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU fans go wild during while watching the NIT game on the big screen in the Reynolds Center at TU on March 29, 2001. Tulsa World File
2001 NIT championship run
TU fans go wild during while watching the NIT game on the big screen in the Reynolds Center at TU on March 29, 2001. Tulsa World File
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