Country music singer, Toby Keith, performs at the Ou mens basketball game half time in honor of former OU basketball player Wayman Tisdale on Saturday afternoon in the Lloyd Noble Center. Michelle Gray/The Daily

The presence of Wayman Tisdale could be felt throughout the arena as he was honored during halftime of the Sooners’ upset home victory Saturday against Texas.

Tisdale died in May at the age of 44 after a two-year battle with cancer

During the pre-game Tisdale’s jazz band, who all wore throwback Tisdale NBA jerseys, played various tunes from both Tisdale and other artists. His family was then greeted by the Sooner players and coaches.

The Tisdale family sat courtside and was recognized throughout the game.

“The atmosphere was really good,” said Tisdale’s niece, OU sophomore Courtney Tisdale. “There were sad moments but we felt comfortable.”

During the first half, they received an autograph ball from the men’s basketball team who dedicated their season to Tisdale.

At halftime, a preview to the documentary “The Wayman Tisdale Story,” directed and produced by Brian Schodorf, was played.

The highlight of the evening was Toby Keith singing “Cryin’ For Me (Wayman’s Song).” He was accompanied by Tisdale’s jazz band.

The crowd fell silent during Keith’s performance, the keynote moment in the tribute to the late Sooner legend.

Head coach Jeff Capel said he thought his team’s performance was fitting on an afternoon honoring Tisdale.

“I thought our guys played with the heart that Wayman displayed so much in not just basketball, but his life,” Capel said.

After the game, Capel told a story about a man he met when he was in Oregon on a recruiting trip, and how Tisdale helped that man get his first record deal.

“Any time you come across a person like that, you can’t help but be changed or touched in some way. I’m just very lucky I had the privilege my first year here to get to know him and become a friend,” Capel said.

Tisdale played at OU from 1983-1985, and he was a three-time Big Eight Conference player of the year. He also was the first player in NCAA history to be named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press in his first three seasons.

Tisdale still holds OU career records for points and rebounds, as well as the single-game scoring mark of 61 points against the University of Texas-San Antonio during his sophomore year.

Tisdale was the first OU athlete in any sport to have his number retired. Former Sooner Blake Griffin asked and received permission to wear the retired 23 during his two-year OU career.