at Tulsa

[ORUTerry]

I have watched (partially) a couple of TU games. They play tough, physical defense and are streaky shooters. The guards can sometimes be careless with the ball  – resulting in turnovers and fast break opportunities. They guard the perimeter and typically do not allow open shots. If the Hurricane shoot the ball well, this could be a long afternoon for ORU.

Tulsa is 2-4 on the season. They shoot 41.5% from the field; 33.3% from the three point line. They attempt 26.5 threes per game (43.4% of total shots). Other per game stats:

Points:  70.2

Assists  12.8

TO’s       13.2

PF’s        15.8

TU holds opponents to 46.5% from the field. The interesting thing is that they are 40^th in the country in holding teams to 27.1% from three-point but 339^th in allowing teams to hit 55.6% from two point. I am assuming part of this is a result of their allowing drives to the basket, post up baskets and offensive rebounds because of their relative lack of size.

I am assuming that the Golden Hurricane will play better at home and this will mean that ORU must play a full 4 quarters – and not come out flat in the first half. We also need Max and the other shooters to wake out of their slumber and make shots. But statistics indicate that TU is vulnerable in the paint, so Vanover, Weaver, Mwamba and Herron(?) need to take advantage of opportunities.

TU basically plays 7 guys who get the vast majority of minutes:

Griffin (6’3”): 16.2 ppg with 40.5% FG; 36.4% from 3-pt (7.3 attempts); 2.8 rebs and 2.3 assists. He is their best player and can take over the game.

Betson (6’1”): 11.0 ppg with 45.8% FG; 40.7% from 3-pt (4.5 attempts); 1.7 rebs and 2.7 assists. Streaky shooter who can score in bunches.

Dalger (6’7”): 10.6 ppg with 45.0% FG; 47.4% from 3-pt (3.8 attempts); 5.2 rebs and 2.0 TO’s. Good shooter and all around player.

Selebangue (6’9”):  10.5 ppg with 59.1% FG (no 3ptrs); 8.3 rebs. Provides the only true post presence.

Pritchard (6’3”):  7.2 ppg with 37.0% FG; 21.4% from 3-pt (2.3 attempts); 2.2 rebs; 3.5 assists; 3.5 TO’s

Embery-Simpson (6’3”):  7.2 ppg with 38.5% FG; 32.0% from 3-pt) (4.2 attempts); 1.8 rebs and 2.3 assists

Gaston-Chapman (6’5”):  5.3 ppg with 30.3% FG; 15.4% from 3-pt (2.2 attempts); 1.7 rebs

 

[ORUTerry]

 

[Old Titan]

Awkward interview.  Rick Couri does TU radio broadcasts and is an ORU-hater from decades back; while Mills reminded him that Houston is No. 1 in the country when Couri is well aware since the Cougars are in the AAC with Tulsa. 

Couri and his sidekick also made it obvious they haven't kept up a lick with ORU basketball this year with comments like "Max Abmas is really playing well again this season" and "how much are you enjoying having Conner Vanover under the basket?".

Coach Mills wasted mere seconds in reeling off that:

• ORU has the toughest schedule in the country.
• ORU leads the country in "spacing", according to some analytics website.
• ORU was in the top 50 nationally in "offense" last year, by some un-specified metric.
• ORU was 4th in the country in scoring last year (did not mention where ORU ranked defensively).
• Conner Vanover leads the country on blocked shots (he doesn't; a guy at Western Kentucky leads by a pretty healthy margin in both total block and blocks-per-game)

Beyond the stats, one other eye-brow raising comment:  Sir Issac is still a couple of weeks away with the broken finger; 

[Dr. Cornelius]

Both teams shoot a lot of threes with TU defending much better.

ORU has not prepared themselves well over the past week playing down in competition and slow starts seem to be a reoccurring problem.

In order to win ORU must:

• Establish the drive and interior scoring EARLY and not go away from it
• Show up on defense
• Have Max break out of his slump

[TrueBlue82]

ORU opens as a 2-point favorite on the road, with a 155.5 O/U (roughly 79-77).  This game will likely go down to the final 2-3 possessions, which makes for an exciting game, but not great on the nerves!  Also, it's an ESPN+ broadcast for those of us out of town.

[Ting]

What color are we wearing for those of us attending the game in person? Are we blue on the road? Is TU blue or gold at home?

[#1ORUFAN]

Max with the buzzer beater at the half!  Here’s to Max, we’re back baby!

[Ting]

Max does look good and has that pep to his step. Nice to see us running some plays to get him open looks also

[Ting]

Patrick the ninja mwamba 

[#1ORUFAN]

TU announcer quotes the great Stuart Scott. He said “Max Abmas is as cool as the other side of the pillow.”

[Keenan Henderson]

Great win for the Eagles!  Solid defense and forced 13 turnovers with 9 steals.  Carlos and Kareem really came up big in the second half.  Good to see the seniors step up in crunch time!

[theeagleman5]

 

1 hour ago, #1ORUFAN said:

 

Max is back baby!!! ORU keeps Mayor's Cup and I love it!!!

[theeagleman5]

Great win...Great effort!! TheEagleman is pleased....tonight we celebrate with a few cocktails and dance on TU!! City Champs for another year!! 

[Old Titan]

BREAKING NEWS:  MAX ABMAS HAS RETURNED FROM WITNESS PROTECTION AND WAS SPOTTED AT 11TH & HARVARD DOING MAX-LIKE THINGS. 

[Old Titan]

BREAKING NEWS:  MWAMBA FOREVER!!

[Old Titan]

BREAKING NEWS:  A MILLS-STONE VICTORY FOR ORU HEAD COACH. 

[Old Titan]

….that was fun!

[Keenan Henderson]

Does anyone have a video of that dunk by Patrick at the end?  Someone should put that on a poster!