The Basics
Oral Roberts (13-4, 4-0) vs. Western Illinois (9-7, 2-3)
Game Date/Time: Thursday, January 12, 2023 / 7 p.m.
Location: Mabee Center / Tulsa, Okla.
Video: ORU Sports Network
Radio: 99.9 FM ESPN Radio
Stats: ORU Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team battles Western Illinois Thursday, January 12 at 7 p.m. inside the Mabee Center.

Fans can receive four (4) FREE tickets to PACK THE MABEE by clicking HERE and showing the graphic in the North Lobby of the arena the evening of the game.

Fans can tune in to watch the game via the ORU Sports Network 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.

• For the first time since 2011-12, the Golden Eagles were picked No. 1 in the Summit League preseason rankings. ORU is also No. 6 in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll.

• Abmas is averaging 21.1 points per game which is 11th in the nation. Two other Golden Eagles average double-digits with Issac McBride and Connor Vanover. Vanover averages 13 points and McBride scores 11.

• Vanover has totaled 56 blocks this season. He currently is second in the nation in total blocks and second in blocks per game (3.5). As a team, ORU is 4th in the nation in blocks per game (6.0).

• Abmas is 11th in the nation in free-throw percentage and 11th in three-pointers per game.

• ORU is hitting 11.1 triples per game, which puts the team 4th in the nation and first in the Summit League. The Golden Eagles have totaled 180 three-point buckets this season.

• On the glass, ORU leads the Summit League in defensive rebounds with per game (27.4).

• This will be the 52nd all-time meeting between Oral Roberts and Western Illinois. ORU leads the series, 39-12. The Golden Eagles won two of the three meetings last season. ORU won 87-86 at WIU (Jan. 8) and fell 90-85 at home (Feb. 3). The Golden Eagles defeated WIU in the Summit League Tournament, 80-68, on March 6.

Scouting the Opponent

• Western Illinois is 9-7 overall and 2-3 in Summit League play, and on a one game winning streak. In its previous game, the Leathernecks defeated Denver, 91-74, at home.

• Four average double figures with Trenton Massner leading the team with 16.4 ppg. Alec Rosner scores 15.8 points, Jesiah West averages 10.9 and Vuk Stevanic scores 10.6 ppg.

• The Leathernecks average 76.6 points per game and shoot 45.8 percent from the field and 32.2 from three-point range. WIU was picked 7th 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.