As he recalled the funniest moment — well, it's funny now — that came during his 36-year career as a respected college basketball official, Ed Hightower remained thankful Norm Stewart wasn't there when No. 5 Oklahoma hosted No. 3 Missouri on Feb. 9, 1989.
Stewart, known for his fire, had been hospitalized due to a bleeding ulcer before the game. That left no one to counter Billy Tubbs when the Sooners coach, microphone in hand, told Lloyd Noble Center's rowdy fans to refrain from throwing debris onto the court — "regardless of how terrible the officiating is."
"He (Stewart) has kidded me over the years," Hightower said Monday night.