The Basics
Oral Roberts (5-6, 0-0) at Kansas City (5-8, 0-0)
Game Date/Time: Friday, December 29, 2023 / 7 p.m.
Location: Swinney Center / Kansas City, Missouri
Video: Summit League Network
Audio: 99.9 FM ESPN Radio / Behind the Mic
Stats: Kansas City Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team will begin the Summit League slate with a trip to face the Kansas City Roos Friday, December 29 at 7 p.m. inside the Swinney Center in Kansas City, Missouri.  

Fans can tune in to watch the game via Summit League Network 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 18.4 points per game. He is 28 points shy from 1,000 ORU career points.
 
• ORU is on an 21 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 longest home game win streak.

• Through 10 games, along with McBride, three other Golden Eagles average double-digits. Newcomer Jailen Bedford averages 14.5 ppg., Kareem Thompson adds 12.2 ppg., and DeShang Weaver scores 12.1 ppg.

• Thompson currently ranks second in the nation in most minutes (38.24) played and not far behind is McBride in sixth (37.42). The Golden Eagles are sixth in the country in fewest turnovers per game at 9.0.

• 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 41st meeting all-time between ORU and Kansas City. The Golden Eagles defeated the Roos in both matchups last season with a 74-71 win at home (Jan. 7, 2023) that was won on a buzzer beater by Max Abmas in regulation. ORU then won at Kansas City (Feb. 4, 2023), 85-57.

• The Roos are 5-8 on the season. In its most recent game, Kansas City fell at East Tennessee State, 70-57.

• Jamar Brown leads the Roos averaging 14 ppg., Anderson Kopp is not far behind with 13.1 ppg., and Cameron Faas with 11.1 ppg.

• Kansas City was picked to finish 8th in the Summit League preseason poll.
 
• ORU has won its last nine games at Kansas City and is 13-4 while visiting the Roos.

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.