The Basics
Oral Roberts (17-4, 8-0) vs. Denver (12-10, 3-6)
Game Date/Time: Thursday, January 26, 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 will host the Denver Pioneers Thursday, January 26 at 7 p.m. inside the Mabee Center.

It will be Star Wars Night at the Mabee Center and fans are welcome to dress in their favorite Star Wars attire.

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. 7 in the College Insider Mid-Major Poll. For the first time since preseason 2012-13, ORU has received votes in the AP Top 25 Poll.

• Abmas is averaging 22.1 points per game which is 4th in the nation. Two other Golden Eagles average double-digits with Issac McBride and Connor Vanover. Vanover averages 12.9 points and McBride scores 11.6.

• Vanover has totaled 66 blocks this season. He currently is second in the nation in total blocks and second in blocks per game (3.3). As a team, ORU is 8th in the nation in blocks per game (5.7).

• Abmas is 5th in the nation in free-throw percentage and 6th in three-pointers per game.

• ORU is hitting 11.0 triples per game, which puts the team 4th in the nation and first in the Summit League. The Golden Eagles have totaled 232 three-point buckets this season.

• On the glass, ORU leads the Summit League in defensive rebounds with per game (28.1).

• This will be the 22nd all-time meeting between Oral Roberts and Denver. ORU leads the series, 11-10. The Golden Eagles won the meeting in Denver earlier this season, 80-62. ORU has won the last five meetings.

Scouting the Opponent

• Denver is 12-10 overall and 3-6 in Summit League play, and on a one game losing streak. In their previous game, the Pioneers fell to South Dakota State, 76-61, on the road.
 
• Tommy Bruner leads DU with 16 points per game. Touko Tainamo scores 11.2 ppg, followed by Tevin Smith with 10.5 ppg and Tyree Corbett with 10.1 ppg.
 
• The Pioneers average 74.5 points per game and shoot 50 percent from the field and 35.1 from three-point range. DU currently sits 8th 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.