Zero hour arrives for ORU men - TW (2-26-06)

[ORUTerry]

Zero hour arrives for ORU men

By JOHN KLEIN Senior Sports Columnist

2/26/2006

The wait for tournament week is finally over for Oral Roberts.

No more looking down the road. No more wondering about lost chances.

The Golden Eagles, who suffered more than just a few lows and highs in an 18-12 season, reached the end of the regular season and the start of their golden chance on Saturday night.

ORU got another big night from Caleb Green, virtually unstoppable with 27 points, and survived an ugly foul-fest with rival Valparaiso, 87-78, to close out the Mid-Continent Conference season on a positive note at the Mabee Center.

"We didn't play a great game but we won," said ORU coach Scott Sutton. "There were a lot of fouls called (57). It was really a rough game."

It leaves the Eagles at full strength and on a high heading into the Mid-Continent Conference Tournament opening Saturday at the Union Multipurpose Activity Center.

"All that matters now are these three games coming up in the tournament," said Green. "Nothing else matters. Nothing that happened this season matters.

"All we can do is focus on what is ahead of us."

ORU, steadily improving over the final month of the season, has won eight of its last nine conference games.

"ORU has to be the favorite in the tournament," said Valpo coach Homer Drew. "They have a very strong team. They have good shooters and ball handlers. They are just a very solid team.

"Caleb Green is a great player. He is an unbelievable player. We couldn't stop him even though we surrounded him with players all night. He's very deserving of all of the attention."

In a game marred by fouls, the Eagles hung on because Green hit a big bucket and Larry Owens hit his free throws (11 of 14 in the second half) down the stretch.

As a result, the Golden Eagles finish at 13-3 in the conference. Playing less than five miles from its campus, ORU would figure to be a tough out for anyone in the Mid-Con.

It can happen and it did last year. The Eagles should have plenty of motivation. They have weathered some difficult moments during the regular season but have rebounded to play well down the stretch. This is now the moment they waited a year to reach.

The final victory leading up to the tourney, over Valpo, was especially pleasing considering the importance of this rivalry with Valpo. The Crusaders are now 0-for-10 at the Mabee Center.

Since the Golden Eagles joined the Mid-Con in 1997-98, Valparaiso has become ORU's most notable rival. It is simple. Valpo sets the standard. The Crusaders have won six of the last eight Mid-Con titles, earning the automatic NCAA Tournament bids.

Oral Roberts has been the most consistent challenger over those eight years.

Valpo may not be at the top of the standings heading into the tournament but the Golden Eagles know the Crusaders are always a factor.

So the season closer was important. It was important for momentum and confidence.

"We really have played pretty well the past four to six weeks," said Sutton. "We've had a couple of tough moments but overall I'm pretty happy with the way we're playing."

ORU's super shooter Ken Tutt, who missed 10 games with a foot injury, played in his fourth straight game. He continues to get back in the groove (6-of-11 from the field).

"While I was hurt I thought about the things I needed to improve," he said. "It is great to be back out there playing."

Green continues to play like the best player in the league, which he has been for the past two years. He'll need to play like the best player three more times to put the Eagles in the NCAAs.

So, ORU would appear as ready as possible after a season that has been equally encouraging and disappointing.

The Golden Eagles came into the season with high hopes. It had all of the key components back from a team that won 25 games a year ago. They added one of the best recruiting classes in school history.

So, ORU jumped into the middle of one of its most difficult non-conference schedules of the past two decades.

The Golden Eagles had their moments but fell short of getting the kind of upset that would gain some national attention. Instead, they lost tight games to Marquette, Oklahoma, Minnesota and two to Utah State.

Then, just when the Eagles looked like they had hit their stride, easily winning their first three conference games, Tutt was injured.

ORU had less than 24 hours to adjust to Tutt's absence before heading to Valpo where it suffered a loss.

Since then, Oral Roberts has alternated between good and bad.

The Golden Eagles need to be good when the Mid-Con comes to town.

A year ago, ORU appeared to be a heavy favorite to win the tournament. But being the favorite means nothing. Being the winners is better.

[praetorfenix86]

A year ago, ORU appeared to be a heavy favorite to win the tournament. But being the favorite means nothing. Being the winners is better.

Great quote by John Klein