The Basics
Oral Roberts (5-7, 0-1) at Denver (9-5, 1-0)
Game Date/Time: Sunday, December 31, 2023 / 4 p.m. CT/3 p.m. MT
Location: Hamilton Gym / Denver, Colo.
Video: Summit League Network
Audio: 99.9 FM ESPN Radio / Behind the Mic
Stats: Denver Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – For the second-straight season, the Oral Roberts men's basketball team will play the Denver Pioneers on New Year's Eve in Denver, Colorado. The Golden Eagles will face the Pioneers Sunday, December 31 at 4 p.m. CT.  

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 18.6 points per game. He has recorded more than 1,000 points during his time at ORU.
 
• 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 12 games, along with McBride, three other Golden Eagles average double-digits. Newcomer Jailen Bedford averages 13.6 ppg., Kareem Thompson adds 12.3 ppg., and DeShang Weaver scores 11.2 ppg.
 
• Thompson currently ranks third in the nation in most minutes (38.18) played and not far behind is McBride in sixth (37.29). The Golden Eagles are 11th in the country in fewest turnovers per game at 9.4.
 
• 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 23rd meeting all-time between ORU and Denver. The Golden Eagles defeated the Pioneers in both matchups last season with a 80-62 win on the road (Dec. 31, 2022). ORU then won at home against the Pioneers (Jan. 26, 2023), 102-61.

• The Pioneers are 9-5 on the season. In its most recent game, Denver won at Omaha, 95- 80, to open Summit League play.

• Tommy Bruner leads the country in scoring by averaging 24.2 ppg. Touko Tainamo adds 17.8 points per game.

• Kansas City was picked to finish 9th in the Summit League preseason poll.

• ORU has won its last four games at Denver and is 4-7 while visiting the Pioneers.

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.