The Basics
Oral Roberts (9-3, 0-0) vs. South Dakota State (5-7, 0-0)
Game Date/Time: Monday, December 19, 2022 / 7 p.m.
Location: Mabee Center / Tulsa, Okla.
Video: ORU Sports Network
Radio: 99.9 FM ESPN Radio
Stats: ORU Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team will open Summit League play Monday, December 19 when South Dakota State visits the Mabee Center at 7 p.m.

ORU will be honoring all emergency response personnel Monday evening for Battle of the Badges Night. All EMS, Fire, Police and other emergency personnel who present their ID will receive up to four (4) free tickets to the game.

Fans can tune in to watch the game via the ORU Sports Network or by following along on Twitter @ORUMBB

Important Links
ORU Game Notes
Opponent Game Notes
Summit League Notes

Quick Hits
• Max Abmas was named preseason Summit League Player of the Year and to the league's preseason First Team. Abmas earned a spot on the Naismith Player of the Year Watch List and the NABC Preseason Player of the Year Watch List as well as on the 2023 Bob Cousy Award Watch List and Wooden Top 50. All for the second-straight season.

• For the first time since 2011-12, the Golden Eagles were picked No. 1 in the Summit League preseason rankings. ORU is also No. 24 in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll.

• Abmas continues where he left off last season averaging 19.9 points per game. Two other Golden Eagles average double-digits with Issac McBride and Connor Vanover. Vanover averages 12.6 points and McBride scores 11.9. Abmas ranks 21st nationally in points per game.

• Vanover has totaled 35 blocks this season. He currently is second in the nation in total blocks and in blocks per game (3.5). As a team, ORU is 27th in the nation in blocks per game.

• Abmas is 18th in the nation in free-throw percentage and 17th in three-pointers per game.

• ORU is hitting 11.1 triples per game, which puts the team 7th in the nation and first in the Summit League. The Golden Eagles have totaled 133 three-point buckets this season.

• On the glass, ORU leads the Summit League in defensive rebounds with per game (27.5).

• This will be the 31st all-time meeting between Oral Roberts and South Dakota State. ORU trails the series, 11-19. Last season, the Golden Eagles fell in both meetings on the road and at home.

Scouting the Opponent

• South Dakota State is 5-7 on the season and on a two game winning streak. In its previous game, SDSU won 85-56 over Mt. Marty at home.

• Zeke Mayo is the lone Jackrabbit scoring in double-digits with 14.3 points per game.

• The Jacks average 68.7 points per game and shoots 43.2 percent from the field and 34.1 from three-point range. South Dakota State is 8th in the nation in free-throw percentage.

• SDSU is the defending Summit League champion and was picked to finish second in this year's preseason rankings.

For the latest information on ORU Men's Basketball, follow the Golden Eagles on Twitter and Instagram, or go to www.ORUAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the ORU Athletics app from the App Store or Google Play Store.