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Powerful speech. In some respects I relate what he's saying in this clip to what I posted the other day about people lingering after games. People are connecting with this team in a special way. And the team is connecting with their fans by coming back out on the court and mingling with those that are feeling that connection. In doing so they are giving part of themselves - their time and energy - to the fans. I think it really fits with what Mills was saying. Truthfully, I'm impressed with Mills' motivational ability. (Edit: see ORob1's post on FaceBook today for a wonderful example of what I'm talking about!)

Next year, we should let the visiting teams use the new practice gym so they can see that too. Just to be nice, of course.

(6) Facebook That seems to work for me - see if it works for you. ORob1 and ORob2 looked like they had so much fun last weekend it makes me want to move away so that I can come back and have such a good time!!

I was thinking the same thing. I don't know that he's "earned" a place on any list just yet - he hasn't even played a full season. But I don't know that there's any player that has changed the dynamic of a team as much as he has.

I'm coming up for that. Max's last home game, and some new baseball players' first.

Massner is the real deal. He lit us up for 11 points on 4-15 shooting (1-9 from 3) on January 12. Seriously though, watching the game January 12, I recognized Massner as someone who had killed us in previous years (I don't pay much attention to our opponents' overall stats), but had to note how ordinary we made him look this year. Maybe he just had an off night. Certainly don't want his current streak to continue when we go there on the 11th.

Interesting article that notes International rules have moved to a 24-second clock and the NCAA may follow, starting with experimenting with it in the NIT this year. Hope we don't get to experience that. Our old nemesis Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh, TCU) is all for it. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/35560922/is-24-second-shot-clock-men-college-basketball

LOL - I found it. Mark Zuckerberg is apparently filtering your posts from my timeline...

Steven Roundtree???.....oh boy.....now that's a controversial selection....a truly talented player when he decided to show up....but didn't always do that night in night out....and then of course the inglorious end due to an assault on a female off campus....wonder what ever happened to that guy??.....and how about Kevin Ford??....a really good center who made the ESPN Top 10 a couple times with his spectacular dunks.....thinking he was better than a rather soft Albert Owens.....

The all underrated team since 2000: Isaac McBride (in Max's shadow) Kory Billbury (in Obi's shadow) Brandon Conley (a true glue guy) Steven Roundtree (very talented but had some off court issues) Albert Owens (solid four years but on poor teams)

Powerful stuff, Coach. So thankful God is using him to influence these guys' life. A great rel-life explanation of Acts 2:35, "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Wow!! So sorry for the red face!! I didn't post that on purpose and didn't notice it till just now!! I recognized your intentions and caught the word play. Sorry it came across that I was mad - that thought never crossed my mind! I was meaning to play along with the Groucho Marx disguise! (Maybe you could edit that red face off the quote on your post!)

1st Team: Max Abmas Obi Emegano Dominique Morrison Kevin Obanor Caleb Green

stALker?

LOL - I don't remember you ever sharing that story; good one!

I suppose it doesn't sound like that big a deal now, but it was humiliating to me when it happened. It was quite a few years ago, on a Saturday morning at the Tulsa Run. My sister-in-law was running in it so we went down to cheer her on. I don't remember why, but my wife had gone somewhere else, and I was walking along a downtown street pushing one of my boys in a stroller. As I looked up the street I saw Big Al Jerkins coming down the street toward me. At the time we were watching Channel 2 news every night, and Al was something of a celebrity in my mind. Although I was totally unaware of it, I must have really been staring at him while I went along, because as I walked by him he looked at me and said, "Can I help you with something?" Or something like that. I wanted to crawl in a hole at the time, but it seems pretty funny now. If it happened today I'd probably just say, "Hi, Big Al!" Guess I'm not so easily impressed any more!

??? Do tell...

I've always really liked Big Al. I didn't realize he'd left Tulsa. ORU has had some GREAT radio announcers - Dave Garrett, Geoff Haxton, and currently Adam Hildebrandt all fit in that category. But I used to love the Big Al/Steve Bontrager combo - Al with his New York accent, "Obanor drives to the basket for a reverse layup - GIVE IT TO HIM AND HE'S FOULED!!" And Steve following with his commentary. Great combo. Al was also involved in my personal "life's most embarrassing moment." I've probably told that on here before, but it's been a while. Great interview. As a fan I love everything Mills had to say.

The Mitchell Report: Handing out mid-season MBB awards, that was just posted on the Summit League webpage projects that ORU players will win every individual category except Freshman of the Year: Player of the Year: Max Abmas Coach of the Year: Paul Mills Defensive Player of the Year: Connor Vanover Newcomer of the Year: Connor Vanover Sixth Man of the Year: Patrick Mwamba

You have to wonder what players in our conference think when they come into the Mabee Center with the crowds we have had lately (3,000 to 6,000). These number dwarf anything they see at their home courts or any other conference foe.