The Basics
Oral Roberts (11-3, 2-0) at Denver (10-5, 1-1)
Game Date/Time: Saturday, December 31, 2022 / 2 p.m. CST
Location: Hamilton Gym / Denver, Colo.
Video: Pioneers All-Access
Radio: ORUSN / 99.9 FM ESPN Radio
Stats: Denver Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team travels to Denver, Colorado, to take on the Denver Pioneers Saturday, December 31 at 2 p.m. CST.
Fans can tune in to watch the game via the Pioneers All-Access 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. He currently ranks 6^th in all-time scoring in ORU history.

• For the first time since 2011-12, the Golden Eagles were picked No. 1 in the Summit League preseason rankings. ORU is also No. 14 in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll.

• Abmas is averaging 19.9 points per game which is 19th in the nation. Two other Golden Eagles average double-digits with Issac McBride and Connor Vanover. Vanover averages 12.7 points and McBride scores 11.5.

• Vanover has totaled 47 blocks this season. He currently is second in the nation in total blocks and second in blocks per game (3.6). As a team, ORU is 5th in the nation in blocks per game.

• Abmas is 24th in the nation in free-throw percentage and 14th in three-pointers per game.

• ORU is hitting 11.4 triples per game, which puts the team 4th in the nation and first in the Summit League. The Golden Eagles have totaled 160 three-point buckets this season.

• On the glass, ORU leads the Summit League in defensive rebounds with per game (28.1).

• This will be the 21st all-time meeting between Oral Roberts and Omaha. The series is tied, 10-10. Last season, the Golden Eagles swept the series winning 83-66 at home (Dec. 30) and on the road, 89-80, (Jan. 29).

Scouting the Opponent

• Denver is 10-5 overall and 1-1 in league play, and on a one game winning streak. In its previous game, the Pioneers defeated Kansas City, 85-83, in triple overtime at home.

• Six Pioneers average double figures with Tommy Sutton leading the team with 16.2 ppg. Justin Mullins is just behind scoring 12.1 ppg.

• The Pioneers average 76.5 points per game and shoot 51.1 percent from the field and 33.2 from three-point range. Denver is 4th in the nation in field goal percentage.

• Omaha was picked to finish fifth 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.