The Basics
Oral Roberts (9-11, 3-4) vs. South Dakota State (12-9, 5-1)
Game Date/Time: Saturday, January 27, 2024 / 7 p.m.
Location: Mabee Center / Tulsa, Okla.
TV/Video: KGEB TV 53 - Cox Cable 23 / Summit League Network
Audio: 99.9 FM ESPN Radio
Stats: ORU Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team will host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits Saturday, January 27 at 7 p.m. at the Mabee Center.

Saturday evening is First Responders/Military Appreciation Nights. Thanks to our partner, Mark Allen Chevrolet, all First Responders and Military personnel can receive four free tickets by visiting www.oruathletics.com/freetickets and presenting the graphic in the North Lobby of the Mabee Center.

Fans can tune in to watch the game via national television on KGEB TV 53 - Cox Cable 23 / 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 10 20-plus point outings and 14 10-plus point outings so far this season. He continues to lead the team in scoring by averaging 20.3 points per game. He has recorded more than 1,000 points during his time at ORU.
 
• Thompson became the 39th player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-career point milestone Saturday at home against St. Thomas.
 
• Through 20 games, along with McBride, three other Golden Eagles average double-digits. Newcomer Jailen Bedford averages 14.7 ppg. and Kareem Thompson adds 13.4 ppg.
 
• Thompson currently ranks second in the nation in most minutes (38.35) played and not far behind is McBride in third (38.22). The Golden Eagles are 8th in the country in fewest turnovers per game at 9.2.
 
• McBride is currently 22nd in the country in points per game.
 
• As a team, ORU leads the Summit League in three-pointers per game, low-turnover margin and fewest turnovers per game.
 
• Russell Springmann took over the ORU program and is in his first season as a head coach of 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 33rd meeting all-time between ORU and SDSU. The Golden Eagles are 13-19 overall against the Jacks and have won the previous two matchups, including the previous meeting on February 25, 2023, with a 69-65 victory in Brookings, S.D. In Tulsa, the Golden Eagles are 8-7. SDSU hasn't won at the Mabee Center since 2022.
 
• ORU has not lost to South Dakota State since Feb. 24, 2022, at home.
 
• The Jackrabbits are 12-9 on the season and 5-1 in Summit League action and on a three game win streak. In its most recent game, SDSU defeated Kansas City at home, 75-66.
 
• Zeke Mayo leads SDSU with 18 ppg., William Kyle III scores 13.2 ppg., Luke Appel & Charlie Easley each average 11.2 ppg.
 
• South Dakota State was picked to finish 1st in the Summit League preseason poll.

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.