The Basics
(RV) Oral Roberts (23-4, 14-0) at North Dakota (10-17, 4-10)
Game Date/Time: Thursday, February 16, 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 returns to the Mabee Center with two home games left in the regular season beginning Thursday, February 16 against North Dakota at 7 p.m.

The Whataburger Summit League Food Fight is Thursday evening. Fans can receive a FREE ticket to the game with the donation of a non-perishable food item to the donation collection tables in the North Lobby beginning at 6 p.m.

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. 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 in program history, ORU has been mentioned in the AP Top 25 Poll for four-straight weeks. The Golden Eagles are also receiving votes in the Coaches Poll.

• Abmas is averaging 22.8 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 88 blocks this season. He currently is second in the nation in total blocks and second in blocks per game (3.4). As a team, ORU is 6th in the nation in blocks per game (5.7).

• Abmas is 4th in the nation in free-throw percentage and 5th in three-pointers per game.

• ORU is hitting 11.1 triples per game, which puts the team 2nd in the nation and first in the Summit League. The Golden Eagles have totaled 301 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 11th all-time meeting between Oral Roberts and North Dakota. ORU leads the series, 6-3. Earlier this season ORU defeated the Fighting Hawks, 84-72, on the road on January 21.
Scouting the Opponent
• North Dakota is 10-17 overall, 4-10 in Summit League play, and on a three game winning streak. In their previous game, the Fighting Hawks won 76-73 in overtime over Omaha.

• B.J. Omot leads UND with 11.6 points per game. Matt Norman scores 11.5 ppg and Tsotne Tsartsidze scores 10.1 ppg.

• The Fighting Hawks average 70.9 points per game and shoot 43.7 percent from the field and 34.9 from three-point range. UND is currently ninth 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.