The Basics
Oral Roberts (4-5, 0-0) at Oklahoma State (4-5, 0-0)
Game Date/Time: Sunday, December 17, 2023 / 4 p.m.
Location: Gallagher-Iba Arena / Stillwater, Oklahoma
Video: Big 12 Now on ESPN+
Audio: Behind the Mic / 99.9 FM ESPN Radio
Stats: Oklahoma State Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team will face its second Big 12 Conference opponent, in as many games, when the Golden Eagles travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to challenge the Oklahoma State Cowboys Sunday, December 17 at 4 p.m. inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Fans can tune in to watch the game via Big 12 Now on ESPN+ or by following along on Twitter @ORUMBB

Important Links
ORU Game Notes
Opponent Game Notes
Summit League Notes

Quick Hits

• Issac McBride was named to the Preseason All-Summit League First Team and Kareem Thompson earned a spot on the Second Team as the Golden Eagles were picked second in the league's preseason poll, but did receive seven first place votes.

• McBride was named Summit League Player of the Week on November 20 and December 4. He's had five 20-plus point outings and six 10-plus point outings so far this season. He continues to lead the team in scoring by averaging 18.8 points per game. He is 47 points shy from 1,000 ORU career points.

• ORU is on an 20 home game winning streak that goes back to the 2022-23 season when the Golden Eagles went undefeated at home winning all 16 home games. It is the nation's second longest home game win streak, behind UCLA (29).

• Through nine games, along with McBride, three other Golden Eagles average double-digits. Newcomer Jailen Bedford averages 14.4 ppg., DeShang Weaver scores 12.6 ppg. and Thompson also adds on 12.6 points per game.

• Weaver is currently seventh in the nation in blocks per game averaging 2.6 bpg. He is 12th in the nation in total blocks with 24. He has a total of 132 career blocks which puts him sixth all-time in the ORU record book in that category.

• Oral Roberts has eight newcomers joining the squad with two true freshmen and six transfers, including three Power 5 transfers.

• Russell Springmann takes over at the helm of the ORU program in his first season as a head coach in his career. He is in his sixth season at ORU. He earned his first career head coaching win on Nov. 6, 2023, with a 75-71 victory over Mid-America Christian. He earned his first Division-I win with a 65-63 victory at home against Texas Southern.

Scouting the Opponent
 
• This will be the 25th meeting all-time between ORU and Oklahoma State. The Golden Eagles fell short in overtime in the previous matchup, 78-77. The last time the two met on the hardwood was November 26, 2021, at the Mabee Center. ORU is 1-12 in Stillwater.

• The Cowboys are 4-5 on the season. In its most recent game, Oklahoma State defeated Tulsa, 72-57, in Oklahoma City.

• Javon Small leads the Cowboys in scoring with 17.1 points per game, followed by Bryce Thompson with 10.5 points.

• Oklahoma State was picked to finish 10th in the Big 12 Conference preseason poll.

• OSU has suffered losses against three mid-major opponents in Abilene Christian (home), Southern Illinois (away) and St. Bonaventure (neutral).

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.