Old Titan Posted March 20 Posted March 20 A thought that popped to mind in the wake of NDSU, the obvious cream of an otherwise blighted crop in the Summit League this season, being completely outclassed by Michigan State today in the NCAA tournament first round: “Considering the current challenges facing low-to-mid-major schools & conferences, how long will ORU’s two wins in 2021 over Ohio State and Florida stand as the last Summit League NCAA tournament win(s) in the ‘Field Of 64’ (non play-in game)?” Forever? 1 1
Texasgrip Posted March 20 Posted March 20 Great question OT! I came across one of those "way too early" picks* for next years tournament action. He writes, "Look for Oral Roberts to bounce back next season under second year head coach Kory Barnett. After winning the Summit League, they will be relegated to the dreaded 16 seed where I expect them to topple perennial juggernaut Duke in the first round." *Complete and utter fabrication. I have a vaunted history of not knowing what I'm talking about and choosing poorly in Bracketology. But I suppose my guess is just as good as the national prognosticators who don't know what they are talking about either. #expectamiracle 2
theeagleman5 Posted March 20 Posted March 20 Yes this is a great topic for discussion and except for a Summit League "play in" win.....TheEagleman thinks it has become extremely unlikely that a low mid major can upset a Power Four school in the round of 64....that said....look at High Point yesterday.....I for one did not see that coming but it does prove that miracles can still happen.....but High Point is a lot better team this year than any in the Summit....watched some of that MSU-NDSU game last night and it was brutal....as was Penn-Illinois.....Idaho-Houston and Kennesaw St-Gonzaga.....unfortunately NIL and the Portal are just going to take good players away from Mid Major schools and until there are more transfer rules set in place it's just the way of the world....can't 100% say that ORU's wins over OSU and Florida will be the final Summit League wins but....well, you can see the handwriting on the wall.....we wont see a Max Abmas, Caleb Green or Kevin Obanor play at ORU for more than one season.....the money will come calling..... PS....TheEagleman will put this out there.....I do think that Akron has a shot this afternoon vs. Texas Tech....the Zips are pretty good at 29-5 and the MAC is a really strong Mid-Major League as evidenced by Miami OH at 32-1.....and those Red Hawks might just give Tennessee a tussle today as well.....Miami could even win..... 1
jmg1984 Posted March 20 Posted March 20 5 hours ago, Texasgrip said: Great question OT! I came across one of those "way too early" picks* for next years tournament action. He writes, "Look for Oral Roberts to bounce back next season under second year head coach Kory Barnett. After winning the Summit League, they will be relegated to the dreaded 16 seed where I expect them to topple perennial juggernaut Duke in the first round." *Complete and utter fabrication. I have a vaunted history of not knowing what I'm talking about and choosing poorly in Bracketology. But I suppose my guess is just as good as the national prognosticators who don't know what they are talking about either. #expectamiracle Siena gave it a good shot. No reason ORU couldn't get there. 1
Keenan Henderson Posted March 20 Posted March 20 How long before the Summit is no longer in the tournament? We have known for at least 5 years that the Power Conferences would like to see the mid majors left out of the Big Dance. I hope it never happens but it is still good to know ORU has a chance every year to go dancing. How good has the Summit been in the NCAA tournament? In the last 30 years I can only think of 6 wins: Valpo won 2 and made the Sweet 16, NDSU has two wins and ORU has two also. Have there been any others? Saying that to point out that the Summit is 6-30 in the Big Dance and has gone 12 years before without a victory. So, it is never easy to win in March, NIL or no NL. After ORU's run to the Sweet 16, the Summit had two 21-0 teams in league play that still did not win an NCAA game. Very challenging.
oruvoice Posted March 20 Posted March 20 How long before the Summit is no longer? I like to rhyme...I like my beats funky...I'm spunky...I like my oatmeal lumpy.
Old Titan Posted March 20 Author Posted March 20 The question has every bit as much to do with the possible (likely?) demise of the Summit League as it does with the "NIL/Unlimited Transferring" double-tap that has crippled all L2MM schools the past few seasons.
Old Titan Posted March 21 Author Posted March 21 7 hours ago, Keenan Henderson said: How good has the Summit been in the NCAA tournament? In the last 30 years I can only think of 6 wins: Valpo won 2 and made the Sweet 16, NDSU has two wins and ORU has two also. Have there been any others? Saying that to point out that the Summit is 6-30 in the Big Dance and has gone 12 years before without a victory. You have to go back to Valpo's miracle run in Oklahoma City in 1998 with wins over Ole Miss and Florida State, when the Summit was known as the Mid-Continent Conference with a membership vastly different than today, to find any "Field of 64" wins by league teams other than NDSU's upset of Oklahoma in 2014 and ORU's Sweet Sixteen bubble run in 2021. Oakland in 2005 (thanks to "Pierre Freaking Dukes" in the UMAC) and NDSU in 2019 represent the two lone "First Four" wins. So, that's only five "Field of 64" wins - in just three seasons - over nearly thirty years, and it certainly gets no easier from this point forward in the current climate for league schools and the conference itself. 1 1
jmg1984 Posted March 21 Posted March 21 30 minutes ago, Old Titan said: You have to go back to Valpo's miracle run in Oklahoma City in 1998 with wins over Ole Miss and Florida State, when the Summit was known as the Mid-Continent Conference with a membership vastly different than today, to find any "Field of 64" wins by league teams other than NDSU's upset of Oklahoma in 2014 and ORU's Sweet Sixteen bubble run in 2021. Oakland in 2005 (thanks to "Pierre Freaking Dukes" in the UMAC) and NDSU in 2019 represent the two lone "First Four" wins. So, that's only five "Field of 64" wins - in just three seasons - over nearly thirty years, and it certainly gets no easier from this point forward in the current climate for league schools and the conference itself. Does Cleveland States 2 wins in 1986 with Mouse Mcfadden count or is that to old?
Old Titan Posted March 21 Author Posted March 21 4 minutes ago, jmg1984 said: Does Cleveland States 2 wins in 1986 with Mouse Mcfadden count or is that to old? I suppose, along with "The Artist Formerly Known As Southwest Missouri State", but I saw little point in going back further than around the time ORU joined the league (1997). 1
jmg1984 Posted March 21 Posted March 21 1 minute ago, Old Titan said: I suppose, along with "The Artist Formerly Known As Southwest Missouri State", but I saw little point in going back further than around the time ORU joined the league. Sounds good something just triggered a distant memory of Cleveland St.
Idig32 Posted March 23 Posted March 23 I think with the right matchup, a Summit League squad could still win a tournament game or two. Michigan State is a terrible matchup for any mid-major team because they are physical, fast, and deep. Stylistically, they are a difficult draw. Admittedly, most 3 seeds are really good. However, in some years the matchups are a little more doable. Basically, for a Summit team to win in the tournament it would take a special team to get a good draw in the first round (like the ORU sweet sixteen team, which got a better draw as a 15 seed than they did the year they won 30 games and were a 12 sees, in my opinion). 2
eagle88 Posted March 23 Posted March 23 I think John Calipari said it best after the High Point game. Administrations win championships! I couldn’t agree more! It is refreshing when a true mid major like High Point takes away all of our excuses why something can’t be done. It is never easy but it is indeed possible. If it were easy everyone would be successful. Who will be the next High Point? ORU??? It is worth listening to his interview! 2
theeagleman5 Posted March 23 Posted March 23 Calipari looks like a New York Mob Boss....he's a snake charmer....good coach but geez he should run for political office maybe as Gavin Newsome's running mate?? PS....so HIGH POINT has a ton of $$$....rich alums kicking in to pay lots of NIL plus they do have a gorgeous campus....we haven't seen the last of HPU!
Bogus Smith Posted March 23 Posted March 23 51 minutes ago, theeagleman5 said: Calipari looks like a New York Mob Boss....he's a snake charmer....good coach but geez he should run for political office maybe as Gavin Newsome's running mate?? PS....so HIGH POINT has a ton of $$$....rich alums kicking in to pay lots of NIL plus they do have a gorgeous campus....we haven't seen the last of HPU! Trivia question of the day: What former ORU coach did John Calipari start his coaching career with?
Old Titan Posted March 24 Author Posted March 24 On 3/23/2026 at 11:02 AM, Bogus Smith said: Trivia question of the day: What former ORU coach did John Calipari start his coaching career with? Ted Owens at Kansas in the early 80's. What do I win??
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