On Sunday, former Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball coach Billy Tubbs passed away after a multi-year battle with leukemia. He was 85.

From 1980 to 1994, Tubbs led Oklahoma to four Big Eight Conference championships and nine trips to the NCAA Tournament, including a runner-up finish in 1988. That particular team was one of the greatest in NCAA history to not win a national championship and was what many considered to be the best team in college basketball that season. You’d certainly be hard-pressed to find a team throughout the history of the sport that was more fun to watch.

Below are Parts 1-5 of the 1987-88 team’s highlights:

During his tenure at OU, Tubbs coached some of the program's all-time greatest players, such as Mookie Blaylock, Stacey King, Harvey Grant and Choo Kennedy. None stood taller, however, than Wayman Tisdale, whose signing was the first big splash Tubbs made as OU’s head man. It was an event that set OU hoops on course for not only the success experienced during Tubbs’ tenure, but for every bit of success the program has experienced since.

For more than a decade under Tubbs, the Sooners were known for their fast-paced, high-flying offense and suffocating defense — affectionately referred to as “Billy Ball”. Given the star power on the court and the style of ball they played, the Tubbs Era was arguably the most exciting time to be a fan of OU basketball.

Here are some iconic sound bytes from the legendary coach who was truly one of a kind.

Those who were fortunate enough to watch him work at Oklahoma, TCU, Lamar or in the broadcast booth will forever remember Tubbs as a fearless leader with the purest heart. His love and passion for Oklahoma and the game of basketball live on through the memories shared by his players, assistants and OU fans everywhere.

Now onto this week's Monday edition of Hot Links — Oklahoma is gaining strength by the week, Samaje scores for Cincinnati, an on-field dispute comes to blows in the NFL and more!

OU Links

• Oklahoma is officially in Championship November mode. The Sooners have won 21 straight games in the Thanksgiving month, dating back to the 2014 season. Boomer!

• The Oklahoman's Ryan Aber recently wrote about how the return of senior RB Rhamondre Stevenson has serious potential to transform OU's offense into a much more balanced and effective unit.
• Speaking of Stevenson's turn, both he and junior DE Ronnie Perkins each made their 2020 debuts against Texas Tech on Saturday. OU Insider's RJ Young recently discussed how those two additions can alter the trajectory of the remainder of the Sooners' season.
• Former Sooners RB Samaje Perine delivered in a pinch for the Cincinnati Bengals. On Sunday, Oklahoma’s all-time rushing leader logged 10 carries for 32 yards and this touchdown on the goal line. Cincy went on to upset the Tennessee Titans, 31-20.

• 2021 five-star QB commit Caleb Williams recently penned another personal blog entry for SI where he talked more about settling into his new home in Oklahoma, as well as the recent recruiting news of landing the commitment of four-star ATH and former UT pledge Billy Bowman.

• Speaking of which, in case you missed it, make sure you check out Kamiar's write-up of Bowman's announcement and the major recruiting win for Lincoln Riley as he lands one of the most talented two-way players in the nation.

Around the Sports World

• If the start of the 2020-21 NBA season is delayed by a month (from December to January), the league estimates a potential revenue loss of up to $1 billion.
• Despite a pristine 7-0 record, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been in need of boosting their depleted linebacking corps. Recently, a move was made to acquire LB Avery Williamson from the winless New York Jets.
• Reportedly, two unnamed Arizona Cardinals players have tested positive for COVID-19. The Cards had the past weekend off.
• Chicago Bears WR Javon Wims apparently had an issue with something New Orleans Saints DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson either said or did on Sunday, and this was his response. Yeah, that's not very polite behavior. Ultimately, Wims was ejected, and the Saints beat da Bears in OT, 26-23.

• After sitting out last weekend's game against Boston College, Clemson Tigers QB Trevor Lawrence is no longer considered the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. This week, Alabama Crimson Tide QB Mac Jones now leads the way, followed by Ohio State Buckeyes QB Justin Fields.

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