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Kudos to Denver's double OT win against South Dakota. Tommy Bruner was special, as always. The Mitchell Report said since 2010, only 13 players have scored that many against a Division I opponent. Kudos to Stewart on his 44 points, both accomplished with two extra periods, but nonetheless special. https://thesummitleague.org/news/2024/1/26/mens-basketball-the-mitchell-report-tommy-bruners-signature-moment-and-game-leads-denver-to-instant-classic.aspx For you younger readers, I share one of my many special basketball memories at ORU. Anthony Roberts led the nation in scoring but finished second to Freeman Williams of Portland State as I recall. In 1977, ORU went to the NIT when the NCAA field was much smaller, and Anthony "Woosie" Roberts scored 65 points. In regulation. With no 3-point line. Against future NBA star Greg Ballard. Against Oregon, the #5 defensive team in the nation. Scoring more than the average points they allowed against a whole team. Oh, and Woosie scored 66 points less than 3 weeks earlier. Only 3 players have scored more against a Division 1 opponent: Calvin Murphy, Pete Maravich, and Kevin Bradshaw.

A little bit about a lot following HCRS's best win so far in his rookie campaign: Loved the uptick in substitutions. Loved the aggressive rebounding. Loved involving the post men in the offense. Loved seeing Ashton Smith get in the game. He looked rusty. Wonder why? Loved the jump rope troop at halftime. SDSU features a number of skills that are apparently coached year-in and year-out that are very hard to deal with: they quickly (and successfully) jab you in the gut and ribs when you have the ball, they use multiple spin-&-duck-&-up-&-under moves in the post without walking, and they dig their shoulders into your body to get space on the drive. They will always be a tough out with this coaching staff. That being said, this particular edition of the Jacks is not as good as usual in a couple of categories: they make sloppy turnovers, and they foul more than usual. One area that has never been a strength in Brookings reared its ugly head again tonight: they are not a good defensive team, particularly on the perimeter. They're all gonna have nightmares tonight of a 900-foot DJ Weaver raining threes down on their heads. I didn't recognize Luke Appel tonight. Gone is the StayPuft Marshmallow Man that wreaked havoc on the Golden Eagle interior two years ago, replaced by a sleek-looking forward/wing who has apparently lost all of the post skills that his previous girth provided. Go figure: less is not more in his case. Zeke Mayo should be a household name. At least, in mid-major households. Can't put my finger on why he's not a semi-superstar; he has all the tools. We all saw a glimpse tonight of just how good DJ Weaver could have been his entire career if not for... (mentally fill in the blank ________________________________________________________). I'll admit it: Josh Jones is slowly but surely getting better. Still quite a project, though. I thought the refs tonight were terrible: inconsistent, often overwhelmed, and generally bad both ways. But when I looked them up on KenPom, they are arguably the highest-ranked refs we've ever seen in the Mabee Center for a "Summit Saturday Night", which typically features the bottom of the officiating barrel. Each of tonight's zebras is listed in the top 150 of KenPom's referee ranking (typical Summit Saturday refs are in the 200-300 range). The problem may have been that these three never work together, and never work the Summit: they were from the Horizon, MAC and Sunbelt, respectively. It appears the Summit League went out of their way to round up some supposedly "better" refs for such a big match-up, but failed to get their money's worth in the process. HCRS was understandably apoplectic when ORU got that steal late and McBride, rather than pulling up with the ball on the breakaway and running valuable clock before getting intentionally fouled, instead chose to drive to the basket on not one but TWO Jacks defenders, missing the shot and then fouling the rebounder. I'm envisioning an upcoming order of silicone bracelets for the guards with WHAT WOULD MAX DO? embossed on them. I can give them a great price if they're interested. Have you ever heard a PA announcer refer to an OPPOSING PLAYER by his first name while shooting a free throw? As in, "...and Zeke will be shooting two." Asking for a friend...

I’ve been critical of Springmann so I’ve got to give him his dues here. Trying different rotations, calling strategic timeouts, helping motivate the guys, it’s been a solid couple games.

Both teams involved in that double-OT barn burner at altitude Thursday night lost by double-digits on Saturday. Nothing like that Summit League “sometimes-less-than-48-hours” turnaround in league play. Literally not for the faint-hearted.

When did Weaver become Marcello Vealy??

Actually, in the radio pregame health minute they said DJ tweaked his knee in practice, but was ready to play. In the postgame interview, coach Springmann said DJ was not feeling well physically. He also said that during a timeout, DJ asked to take a bench break, but Springmann said “No, this timeout is your break.” DJ’s response was “OKAY”.

Really proud of DJ. He's been through so much, and I'm so happy for him and the team. The team is coming together and we saw what they're capable of doing. Building toward March, let's do this. Hope you guys watch the girls game tomorrow on national TV. They are so much fun to watch.

OT that was one of your best posts. So many great points. My favorite was DJ and the question about why we have only seen glimpses of his talent. I still think it goes back to ORU playing small ball and forcing him to be a post player, from his 2nd season on, instead of a wing shooter. At the end of the day, DJ is a streaky 3 point man. When those are falling then the rest of his game picks up. Side note: DJ hit 7 three's vs Omaha way back in his freshman season 12-30-18!

McBride showed a lot of maturity tonight. His 3s were not falling and SDSU was keeping him out of the lane for the most part. So he had 6 assists and 5 rebounds, plus hit the key free throws down the stretch. That is winning basketball from the Eagles All-star. DJ now up to 140 blocks for his career which is 5th all time passing DBH. He has a good chance to catch Albert Owens who is in 3rd place. Now the guys have a week to rest up and recover.

Great win tonight for the Eagles! The team showed us tonight that they are capable of doing the things that it takes to win against a quality opponent like rebound and hustle! Moving forward there is no excuse not to do the things that we can control. We have too much talent to waste it. I love that Luke Appel did not have his way with us. Now that we are back on track let’s finish strong!

The good guys hold on to win a huge game that potentially moves them to third place in the Summit League standings. It was closer than I would have liked for it to be but not surprising that the Bunnies put up a fight made it a game. Great effort by the entire team playing hard on both ends. We need more of this!!!! I think it is safe to assume that DJ Weaver is going to be our Advanced Orthopedics Player of the Game.

Yes. Different style of play. Different intensity. Go ladies.

Looks like a complete effort so far by the home team for the first half of play. Low turnovers, aggressive defense, pretty good ball movement. I still do not understand why almost no one ever goes to the basket for offensive rebounds. One thing I have noticed in the last game against Omaha and tonight, Coach Springman is very animated. For those of you who played college ball, do players like that? I would think they do. He's even getting on the ref's for what he thinks are missed calls. I like seeing his involvement. So what's the opinion on Adam's bow tie. I'm not a fan. But.....more power to him. If he likes it, maybe it will become a trademark. Who knows.

I did enjoy the jump ropers! But probably not a good idea to throw the ducks during a timeout.

No travel? This guy's got a future in basketball, because that’s an NBA level travel with no call. (I recognize your comment intended to be facetious! ) RPReplay_Final1706408047 (2) (1).mp4

Thompson made some huge plays on the 50-50 balls at the end. He just continues to make winning plays for 4 years. DJ's biggest shot may have been that offensive rebound put back at the end. He has also blocked 6 shots in the last 2 games. I think it is safe to say the 6th year senior is finally healthy after struggling since the injury around the holidays. Another shout out to senior Trey P. Good 3 and clutch free throw in the last few minutes. Seniors step up big in Coach Springmann's biggest career win. Go Eagles!

DJ Weaver 32 points?!?!?!?... TheEagleman couldn't be more surprised if I woke up with my face sown to the carpet...

Verbal commits shows that we offered a Scholarship yesterday to Lajae. He is listed as shooting guard. Averages 14 points, 8 rebounds and shoots 39% from 3 point range. He played his freshman year at Tartelton State before transferring to Barton Community college in Kansas. He is originally from Jacksonville, Florida. Love that he is a big guard, gets boards, and shoots the three ball. Holds offers as well from Arkansas State and Bethune Cookman. https://kjccc.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/players/lajaejoneszot5?view=gamelog&pos=sh https://tarletonsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/lajae-jones/10318 https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/lajae-jones -

ORU Ladies hanging tough....37-37 at half...

You and everybody else…

If any year to win @ Brookings, this would be the year. They are down from years past but AJ always recruits to his program and they are good every year. It is hard to win in Brookings. Not impossible but very difficult. Look at their track record of who they’ve beaten at home. The ladies will need to be 15 points better than the jackrabbits to win it. No one asked for it, but in my opinion I think they will spilt. Each home team winning it at home.

I think DJ has a beautiful, smooth jump shot. I love watching him shoot the ball, especially when it's going in the hoop.

An amazing team effort especially in the first half. Thompson made a 3-pointer to start the half and McBride made the last basket in the half. Those were the only points scored by those two players in the first half.

Miracle delivered, eagleman!!!

DJ on fire with 17 in the first half! Very similar to his first half vs Tulsa. He has shown up in the big home games. Great defense by the Eagles, maybe the best of the season, holding SDSU to 30 percent. I would expect SDSU to make a run in the second half but it is good to be up 11 at haltime!

Denver may have been feeling the mental and physical effects of their double-OT battle-to-the-death on Thursday night.

Update: Ashton is a DNP vs. Omaha. Since mysteriously becoming eligible for the 2nd semester, he's seen only limited time but with flashes of Lufile-like power at the rim. Just wish he could get some minutes; I still think there's hope of him becoming a much-needed presence in the paint in time for Sioux Falls.