Billy Says No More Tubbs Thumping

Oklahoma coach Billy Tubbs was the model of decorum during the Sooners' Big Eight victories over Missouri (92-65) and Kansas (87-76) last week. No referee-baiting. No fickle fingers for the fans. "I'm just tired of officiating and coaching at the same time," Tubbs said jokingly. To Tubbs's bosses at Oklahoma, his sometimes boorish behavior is no laughing matter. Last week the university's board of regents demanded that he apologize to Tulsa for the scene he had created after the Sooners' 104-89 loss there on Jan. 9. Tubbs had blamed the officials for the defeat, ripped the Golden Hurricane fans and vowed never again to take the Sooners to Tulsa, Tubbs's hometown.

Tubbs was also cautioned that his next outburst might be his last as Oklahoma's coach. "[Tubbs] had been skating on thin ice for quite a while," said one source. "He was warned that if his [irritating] actions didn't stop, he would be gone," said another. Tubbs issued his apology to Tulsa the next day. "My New Year's resolution is to let the officials officiate, let the fans be fans, and I will try to be the best coach I know how to be," he said.

While Tubbs kept cool on the Sooner bench, Oklahoma forward Darryl (Choo) Kennedy sizzled. He scored 19 points in the Sooners' rout of Mizzou, and then against the Jayhawks, Kennedy stole the hero's wreath from his more illustrious teammate, junior center Wayman Tisdale. Tisdale, who entered the game averaging 26.2 points per game, found himself shackled by a collapsing Kansas zone and was held to six points. It was the first time in Tisdale's college career that he failed to score in double figures. Left free by the Jayhawk defense, Kennedy exploded for a career-high 35 points.