The Basics
Oral Roberts (8-9, 2-2) at North Dakota (9-10, 1-3)
Game Date/Time: Thursday, January 18, 2024 / 7 p.m.
Location: Engelstad Center / Grand Forks, N.D.
TV/Video: Summit League Network
Audio: 99.9 FM ESPN Radio / Behind the Mic
Stats: UND Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team will hit the road for its annual journey to north to take on the North Dakota Fighting Hawks Thursday, January 18 at 7 p.m. in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

Fans can tune in to watch the game via national television on 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 19.8 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 17 games, along with McBride, three other Golden Eagles average double-digits. Newcomer Jailen Bedford averages 14.9 ppg., Kareem Thompson adds 12.8 ppg., and DeShang Weaver scores 10 ppg.

• Thompson currently ranks second in the nation in most minutes (38.42) played and not far behind is McBride in third (38.05). The Golden Eagles are 10th in the country in fewest turnovers per game at 9.3.

• McBride is currently 30th in the country in points per game.

• As a team, ORU leads the Summit League in blocks per game, 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 13th meeting all-time between ORU and North Dakota. The Golden Eagles have won the previous seven matchups with the Fighting Hawks, including the previous meeting on March 4, 2023, with a 96-80 victory in the Summit League quarterfinals. In Grand Forks, the Golden Eagles are 2-2.

• ORU has not lost to North Dakota since Jan. 8, 2021, nor lost in Grand Forks since 2020.

• The Fighting Hawks are 9-10 on the season and 1-3 in Summit League action. In its most recent game, UND defeated Kansas City at home, 82-69.

• B.J. Omot leads UND with 16.4 ppg., Treysen Eaglestaff is right behind with 14.1 ppg., and Tyree Ihenacho with 14.1 ppg.

• South Dakota was picked to finish 5th 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.