The Basics
Oral Roberts (8-10, 2-3) at North Dakota (8-11, 1-3)
Game Date/Time: Saturday, January 20, 2024 / 1 p.m.
Location: Scheels Center / Fargo, N.D.
TV/Video: Summit League Network
Audio: 99.9 FM ESPN Radio / Behind the Mic
Stats: NDSU Athletics

TULSA, Okla. – The Oral Roberts men's basketball team takes on the North Dakota State Bison Saturday, January 20 at 1 p.m. inside the Scheels Center in Fargo, 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 20.4 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 18 games, along with McBride, two other Golden Eagles average double-digits. Newcomer Jailen Bedford averages 14.7 ppg. and Kareem Thompson adds 13.2 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 9th in the country in fewest turnovers per game at 9.3.
 
• McBride is currently 20th in the country in points per game.
 
• As a team, ORU leads the Summit League in blocks per game, three-point percentage, 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 39th meeting all-time between ORU and North Dakota State. The Golden Eagles are 18-20 overall against the Bison and have won the previous three matchups, including the previous meeting on March 7, 2023, with a 92-58 victory in the Summit League Championship. In Fargo, the Golden Eagles are 4-12.
 
• ORU has not lost to North Dakota State since March 7, 2022, in the league semifinals.
 
• The Bison are 8-11 on the season and 1-3 in Summit League action and on a two-game losing streak. In its most recent game, NDSU lost to Denver at home, 78-70.
 
• Boden Skunberg leads NDSU with 14.6 ppg., Damari Wheeler-Thomas is right behind with 13 ppg., and Andrew Morgan with 11.8 ppg. • South Dakota was picked to finish 3rd 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.