The Basics
(RV) Oral Roberts (22-4, 13-0) at Western Illinois (15-10, 8-6)
Game Date/Time: Saturday, February 11, 2023 / 2 p.m.
Location: Western Hall / Macomb, Ill.
Video: ESPN+
Radio: Behind the Mic (ORUSN) / 99.9 FM ESPN Radio
Stats: WIU Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team takes on the Western Illinois Leathernecks Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m. in Macomb, Illinois.

Fans can tune in to watch the game via the ESPN+ 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. He recently was named to the Cousy Award Top 10 Finalist list and the Naismith Midseason Player of the Year list.

• For the first time since 2011-12, the Golden Eagles were picked No. 1 in the Summit League preseason rankings. ORU is also No. 4 in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll. For the first time since the 1971-72 season, ORU has been mentioned in the AP Top 25 Poll for three-straight weeks.

• Abmas is averaging 22.5 points per game which is 3rd in the nation. Two other Golden Eagles average double-digits with Issac McBride and Connor Vanover. Vanover averages 12.8 points and McBride scores 12.4.

• Vanover has totaled 80 blocks this season. He currently is second in the nation in total blocks and second in blocks per game (3.2). As a team, ORU is 9th in the nation in blocks per game (5.5).

• Abmas is 2nd in the nation in free-throw percentage and 5th in three-pointers per game.

• ORU is hitting 11.2 triples per game, which puts the team 3rd in the nation and first in the Summit League. The Golden Eagles have totaled 291 three-point buckets this season.

• On the glass, ORU leads the Summit League in defensive rebounds with per game (28.4).

• This will be the 53rd all-time meeting between Oral Roberts and Western Illinois. ORU leads the series, 40-12. Earlier this season ORU defeated the Leathernecks, 86-63, at the Mabee Center on January 12.

Scouting the Opponent

• Western Illinois is 15-10 overall, 8-6 in Summit League play, and on a one game losing streak. In their previous game, the Leathernecks lost at home to Kansas City, 76-64.

• Trenton Massner leads WIU with 18.5 points per game. Alec Rosner scores 13.5 ppg, Vuk Stevanic averages 10.7 ppg and Jesiah West scores 10.1 ppg.

• The Leathernecks average 73.6 points per game and shoot 45.7 percent from the field and 32.2 from three-point range. WIU is currently third in the league standings.

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.