Andrew Pace
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball team has had its fair share of successes and setbacks over the years. The team has made appearances in several notable tournaments, including seven NCAA Tournaments, eight National Invitation Tournaments, and two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments. In the 2020-2021 season, the Golden Eagles achieved a remarkable upset, defeating Ohio State and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1974. The team's performance in the 2020-2021 season, led by players like Max Abmas, Obanor, and DeShang Weaver, earned them recognition as a Cinderella team in the NCAA Tournament. However, they have also experienced losses, such as their defeat by Arkansas in the 2017-2018 season. With a history of both triumphs and challenges, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles continue to leave their mark on the basketball world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Oral Roberts Golden Eagles |
| Recent Wins | Defeated the Denver Pioneers 82-76; Defeated the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 87-82; Defeated the Montana State Bobcats 82-76 |
| Recent Losses | Lost to North Dakota State Bison 87-77; Lost to Weber State Wildcats 83-78; Lost to Omaha Mavericks 80-57 |
| Conference Championships | 7 regular season conference championships and 6 tournament championships |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 7 appearances, most recently in 2023 |
| National Invitation Tournament Appearances | 8 appearances |
| College Basketball Invitational Appearances | 1 appearance |
| CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament Appearances | 2 appearances |
| NCAA Tournament Performance (2021) | Defeated Ohio State 75-72 in the opening round; Defeated Florida 81-78 in the next round to advance to the Sweet Sixteen |
| Summit League Tournament Performance (2021) | Defeated North Dakota in the first round; Defeated South Dakota State in the semifinal; Defeated North Dakota State in the championship game |
| Notable Players | Tim Gill, Robert Jarvis, Ogunoye, Ehambe, Francis Lācis, Max Abmas, Obanor, DeShang Weaver, Tony Osburn, Oscar Cluff, Jacksen Moni, Jamar Brown, Issac McBride, Jailen Bedford |
| Notable Coaches | Bill Self, Paul Mills |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball team
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball team represents Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team is a member of the Summit League and has a rich history in college basketball, with several notable achievements and appearances in national tournaments.
The Golden Eagles have made appearances in seven NCAA Tournaments, most recently in 2023. In the 2021 tournament, they recorded a historic 15 vs. 2 upset, defeating Ohio State 75-72 in overtime to win their first tournament game since 1974. They then went on to defeat Florida, becoming just the second 15 seed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The team has also appeared in eight National Invitation Tournaments, one College Basketball Invitational, and two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments.
The Golden Eagles have won seven regular-season conference championships and six tournament championships. The team has produced talented players such as Tim Gill, Robert Jarvis, and Anthony Roberts, who have contributed to their success. In the 1993-94 season, the team was known as the Titans, showcasing their versatility and competitiveness in the sport.
The Mabee Center has been the home arena for the Golden Eagles since 1972, providing an excellent venue for their games and hosting several national tournaments. The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball team continues to be a force to be reckoned with in college basketball, with a combination of skilled players, dedicated coaches, and a strong basketball culture.
The NBA's Current Power Rankings
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team's performance in the 2021 tournament
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles' performance in the 2021 NCAA Tournament was historic. As a No. 15 seed, they were considered underdogs and not expected to progress far in the tournament. However, they defied the odds and advanced to the Sweet 16, becoming only the second No. 15 seed in history to reach this stage, joining the 2013 Florida Gulf Coast Eagles.
Their journey began with a stunning upset over the No. 2-seeded Ohio State in the first round, winning 75-72 in overtime. This was their first NCAA Tournament win since 1974. They followed this up with another impressive victory over the No. 7-seeded Florida, winning 81-78.
The Golden Eagles' success continued as they faced Arkansas in the Sweet 16. They led by as many as 12 points in the first half and showcased their offensive prowess, with no team in the nation averaging more 3-pointers per game. However, Arkansas mounted a comeback, and Oral Roberts ultimately fell short, losing 72-70. Despite the defeat, their run in the 2021 tournament was memorable and unexpected, surprising many and solidifying their place in the history books.
Oral Roberts' success in the 2021 NCAA Tournament was driven by the heroics of players like Max Abmas, an undersized point guard who scored 29 points against Ohio State and 26 against Florida. Kevin Obanor was another key contributor, and their strong performances earned Abmas the title of the national scoring leader and Obanor a transfer to Texas Tech, where he became the team's leading scorer.
Tennessee's Basketball Triumph: A Memorable Victory
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$2.45
The team's performance in the 2024-25 season
The Oral Roberts men's basketball team faced a challenging start to the 2024-25 season with an away game against Minnesota on November 6, their first road season opener since 2013. The game was a tough test for the team, as they sought their first win in a season debut played away from home in over a decade. Adding to the challenge, Oral Roberts had never beaten Minnesota in their four previous encounters, including a match in 2018.
Star player Issac McBride, the newly crowned Summit League Preseason Player of the Year, led a team featuring ten new players, six of whom were transfers. Despite their best efforts, history repeated itself, and Oral Roberts fell short, unable to secure the elusive road season-opening victory they had been seeking.
This loss marked a difficult start to Coach Russell Springmann's second season at the helm. With a roster featuring several new additions, the team looked to build momentum and improve their performance as the season progressed, aiming to overcome past challenges and achieve success against formidable opponents in the Big Ten Conference.
The early setback against Minnesota served as a learning experience for the Oral Roberts men's basketball team, providing valuable insights and opportunities for growth. The team remained focused and determined to improve their record as they navigated the rest of their schedule, which included a mix of familiar and new opponents.
BYU Basketball: Champions or Contenders?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team's performance in the Summit League Tournament
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball team has had a rich history of appearances in various tournaments, including the Summit League Tournament. In the 2020-21 season, the team made headlines by advancing to the NCAA Tournament and achieving remarkable upsets.
In the Summit League Tournament, the Golden Eagles were seeded fourth and began their journey with a win against North Dakota. They then faced the top-seeded South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the semifinal, pulling off an impressive victory. The team's success continued in the championship game, where they defeated North Dakota State 75-72. This win marked their first NCAA Tournament qualification since 2008.
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles' performance in the Summit League Tournament was characterised by their ability to overcome higher-ranked opponents. Their victory against the regular-season champion, South Dakota State, in the semifinal, showcased their determination and talent. The team's success in the Summit League Tournament paved the way for their historic run in the NCAA Tournament, where they continued to defy expectations.
The Golden Eagles' journey in the NCAA Tournament began with a stunning upset over the second-seeded Ohio State, winning 75-72 in overtime. This victory marked their first tournament win since 1974. The team's momentum continued as they faced seventh-seeded Florida in the next round, securing an 81-78 victory and advancing to the Sweet 16. This achievement solidified their place as the second No. 15 seed in history to reach this stage of the tournament, the previous one being Florida Gulf Coast in 2013.
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles' performance in the Summit League Tournament set the tone for their Cinderella story in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Their ability to defeat highly-ranked opponents and secure their first NCAA Tournament berth in over a decade showcased the team's resilience and talent. The leadership of Coach Paul Mills, combined with the outstanding performances of players like Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor, contributed to their historic run.
Iowa Women's Basketball: Champions or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team's performance in the NCAA Tournament
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles men's basketball team has made appearances in seven NCAA Tournaments, including in 2023, which was their most recent appearance. The team has also appeared in eight National Invitation Tournaments, one College Basketball Invitational, and two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments.
In the 1972-73 season, the team posted a 20–8 record, advancing to postseason play for the fourth consecutive year. They appeared in the NIT at Madison Square Garden, marking the third time in four seasons they had done so.
In 2021, the Golden Eagles recorded the ninth 15 vs. 2 upset in tournament history, defeating Ohio State 75–72 in overtime. This was their first tournament game win since 1974. They then defeated Florida 81-78, becoming just the second No.15 seed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen, after Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in 2013. This was Oral Roberts' best NCAA Tournament showing since 1974, when they reached the Elite Eight.
In the 2020-21 season, Oral Roberts finished fourth in the eight-team Summit League with a 10-5 league record. They defeated North Dakota, South Dakota State, and North Dakota State to win the conference tournament and secure their first NCAA Tournament ticket since 2008.
Oral Roberts' 2021 NCAA Tournament run was labelled magical and a Cinderella story, as they became the second No.15 seed to reach the Sweet Sixteen. The team was led by the nation's leading scorer, Max Abmas, and Kevin Obanor, who between them scored 113 points in the first two tournament games.
Syracuse Basketball Triumphs Tonight: A Recap of Their Victory
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles have had several notable wins. In 2021, they became the second No.15 seed to make the Sweet 16, after defeating Ohio State 75-72 and Florida 81-78. In 2021, they also topped North Dakota and nabbed upset wins over top-seeded South Dakota State and North Dakota State in the Summit League tournament. In 1997, they had victories over No.16 Arkansas, Tulsa and Oklahoma State. In addition, Oral Roberts has made appearances in seven NCAA Tournaments, eight National Invitation Tournaments, one College Basketball Invitational, and two CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournaments. They have won seven regular-season conference championships and six tournament championships.
The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles have also experienced some notable losses. In 2025, UMKC beat them 73-56 in the Summit League Tournament, and Omaha defeated them 80-57 to claim the Summit League title. In 2024, South Dakota State won 77-69, and North Dakota State beat them 94-88. In 2021, Oral Roberts lost to Arkansas in the Sweet 16. In 1973, their 52-game home winning streak was broken by Marshall, and their appearance in the NIT ended with an 82-65 loss to North Carolina.
In 2021, Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor combined for 54 points in the win over Florida, and DeShang Weaver hit a crucial 3-pointer. In 2024, Issac McBride scored 34 points in the Golden Eagles' 82-76 win over the Denver Pioneers. In 2021, Robert Jarvis led the nation's reserves in scoring at 16.1 points per game, and Ogunoye earned Summit League Defensive Player of the Year. In 1973, Anthony Roberts averaged 22.4 points per game.
