TrueBlue82 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 #76 Minnesota and #75 Northern Iowa....Geez.....maybe ORU is #145?..... I don't think so!!! ORU is #74! Fairly decent write-up. Don't agree at all that Hunter is the biggest loss from last year - and there are some other minor points of contention. But, that said, #74 is a significant sign of respect, as is the statement that "...there is not a team in the conference who can come close to matching the talent at Oral Roberts." Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Overall Rank: #74 Conference Rank: #1 Summit League 2010-11: 19-16, 13-5 2010-11 postseason: CIT Coach: Scott Sutton (223-154 at Oral Roberts, 223-154 overall) Oral Roberts never falls too far down the Summit League pecking order. In fact, they have finished in the top three in the conference standings the last eight seasons. That will not end this year. What will likely end is their three year NCAA Tournament drought. The Golden Eagles made it to the CIT in 2011, but their goals for this season will be a little loftier with the return of their top six scorers. Who’s Out: Hunter McMclintock will be missed the most. He was usually the second guard off of the bench and averaged 17.4 minutes per game last year. He was not a great scorer, but he was a scrappy player who could put in some quality minutes when the starters needed a rest. ORU spent most of last season without the services of Kyron Stokes, so replacing his ability to rebound on the wing should not be an issue. Tim Morton may be a bigger loss than it would appear. He only averaged 8.1 minutes per game, but he was a big body who could come in and eat up some fouls and grab some boards. A freshman will have to do that now. Who’s In: The Golden Eagles will not need much help from their newcomers, but they may get a little anyway. D.J. Jackson is the point guard of the future. The 5-11 Kansas City, Missouri product is the most likely candidate to see playing time this season due to the need for a backup point guard. For now he will likely play 15 minutes per game and prepare to take over the starting duties next season. What Jackson does provide is a point guard who can score. Korey Billbury knows a thing or two about scoring. He can light it up and take over a game. He will not have that opportunity in 2011-2012, but he could provide a spark off of the bench. Jake Lliteras will add more depth on the perimeter. Kris Obaseki will need some time to grow into his 6-9 frame, but when he does he should be a fine power forward. Mikey Manghum is back in action this year after playing a little in 2009-2010 as a walk-on. He redshirted last season due to the talent on the roster in front of him. Who to Watch: With the top six players back, there are a lot of players to keep an eye on this year. However, the most interesting battle for playing time will be in the frontcourt. Dominique Morrison has the small forward spot all locked up after he averaged 19.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists during his junior campaign. Morrison is a superb outside shooter who, at 6-6, can shoot over most opposing defenders. He will also attack the basket with ease and the best thing most defenders can do is foul him…which usually results in two points anyway. Damen Bell-Holter is the big man under the basket. The 6-9, 245 pound Alaskan had a breakout sophomore season and developed into a great interior scorer and rebounder. Steven Roundtree started all 35 games during his freshman campaign and was more than just a complimentary player to Bell-Holter. While Roundtree can do the dirty work, he also proved to be a quality interior scorer and averaged 12.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. The problem, if you can call it that, is that Michael Craion is back after missing all but two games last year. Two years ago, his first after heading to ORU from the junior college ranks, Craion averaged 13.3 points and 7.3 rebounds. He is a little undersized at 6-5, but he does have more girth than the 6-8 Roundtree. Both deserve to start, both deserve to play 30 minutes a game, but there just are not that many minutes to go around in the frontcourt. The good news is Craion can spell Morrison during those rare occasions he takes a break at the three spot and Roundtree can back up Bell-Holter at the five. That gives Coach Scott Sutton a ton of talent to work with. Final Projection: The backcourt does not quite have that many experienced and dangerous options. Roderick Pearson is a capable point guard, who should improve his decision making and leadership now that he is a senior. Warren Niles is a fine shooting guard who ranked second on the team with 14.3 points per game. He is easily the Golden Eagles most prolific outside shooting threat. Add Ken Holdman, a versatile glue guy, into the mix and the backcourt is certainly experienced and can fill the roles that this team needs to be filled. If the newcomers, especially Jackson as the backup point guard and Billbury as the offensive spark off the bench, can perform up to expectations, there is not a team in the conference who can come close to matching the talent at Oral Roberts. Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA Projected Starting Five: Roderick Pearson, Senior, Guard, 5.6 points per game Warren Niles, Junior, Guard, 14.3 points per game Dominique Morrison, Senior, Forward, 19.5 points per game Michael Craion, Senior, Forward, 1.5 points per game Damen Bell-Holter, Junior, Center, 13.3 points per game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeagleman5 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 #74!!!...wow!!!!.... .....that's a lot of respect....TheEagleman was a big McClintock fan but we surely won't miss him....and Tree will start over Craion unless Scott simply starts Mike out of respect.....#74....great birthday present for TheEagleman.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SOLO_Gold Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Saw this on the homepage: Tour ORU Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Titan Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 I think Oakland might take issue with that "no one in the conference comes close in talent" comment. As well they should: they are the champion until someone knocks them off. And they DO have a lot of talent - it's just a matter of putting all the pieces together. Bold Prediction: ORU and Oakland will separate from the rest of the league by the end of January, battling for that coveted No. 1 seed and guaranteed NIT berth the rest of the way, before meeting once again in the finals of the conference tournament in Sioux Falls for all the NCAA marbles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmh8286 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Bold Prediction: ORU and Oakland will separate from the rest of the league by the end of January, battling for that coveted No. 1 seed and guaranteed NIT berth the rest of the way, before meeting once again in the finals of the conference tournament in Sioux Falls for all the NCAA marbles. Okay, that's really not all that bold of a prediction . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Titan Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 Okay, that's really not all that bold of a prediction . . . I thought the "separating from the rest of the league by the end of January" part was: that's not usually the case in the conference standings. I just don't think the usual contenders (IUPUI, the Dakotas) will be able to keep pace this year. And, that also means two teams in the league winning 20+ games, which is rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmh8286 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I thought the "separating from the rest of the league by the end of January" part was: that's not usually the case in the conference standings. I just don't think the usual contenders (IUPUI, the Dakotas) will be able to keep pace this year. And, that also means two teams in the league winning 20+ games, which is rare. I admit, you put more thought, and had more meaning, in your post than I at first recognized. I wasn't thinking (and was really just teasing you) that predicting ORU and Oakland would be battling it out for the league championship was TOO bold of a prediction - but the timing part probably is. I stand corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORUTerry Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Oakland has experience and some quality players - they cannot be dismissed in the conference race. A case can be made that we have a more talented lineup over all, but Oakland is not far behind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Titan Posted August 31, 2011 Author Share Posted August 31, 2011 I would go so far as to say Oakland may have better athletes than us - remains to be seen if they are better basketball players. Can they play together as a team throughout an 18-game conference season without imploding, like some previous Kampe teams? I think it's all up to Reggie Hamilton: if he has a senior year like Jonathan Jones did, then I frankly like the Grizzlies' chances. On the other hand, if he suffers through a bout of "senioritis" (ala Robert Jarvis), then I would have to give us the nod. But - even then - just barely... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bogus Smith Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 #74!!!...wow!!!!.... .....that's a lot of respect....TheEagleman was a big McClintock fan but we surely won't miss him....and Tree will start over Craion unless Scott simply starts Mike out of respect.....#74....great birthday present for TheEagleman.... Happy birthday, Eagleman! Hope its been a great one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeagleman5 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Thanks, Bogus!....it was a very memorable birthday spent with several family members and good friends at a local restaurant....in fact, TheEagleman just got home.... ....despite being tired and a bit wasted, I have to weigh in on this topic....Oakland is still the team to beat since they are two time defending champs.....they still have a lot of talent and until we unseat them TheEagleman expects that they are not going to go away without a fight....both the Grizz and ORU could win 20 next season if we stay healthy....only 10 more weeks and we will begin to find out.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManiacAlum Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Too bad the ORU-Oakland games couldn't be moved around toward the end of the conference loop. The late december/early january showdowns would be so much better if played in Mid-January and then late in the season. Would be high drama for the league. This year's Oakland team could be like the 07-08 ORU team-- which IMO doesn't get enough love as one of the all-time teams in conference history-- they were supposed to fall back to the pack without Green/Tutt, and instead went 16-2 with a Top 50 RPI. This year's title is ORU's to lose but they need to play like they have something to prove. But with the talent returning to this ORU team and the schedule, this year could be REALLY fun. I need to get my schedule clear the next couple of months to prepare for A LOT of b-ball watching from mid-November to at least mid-March. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORUTerry Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I have also thought about how Oakland is similar to the 07-08 team in terms of expectations, etc.... Oakland will be no pushover and they are the reining champion until someone steps up to knock them off their perch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Cornelius Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 NDSU is already playing/practicing in Canada so they will have even more time to gel together. They have a transfer from Texas State that sat out last year and two incoming Freshman that should contribute. I think IUPUI will fall off without Hunter and Oakland, ORU, & NDSU will battle for the top spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORUJason Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 NDSU is already playing/practicing in Canada so they will have even more time to gel together. They have a transfer from Texas State that sat out last year and two incoming Freshman that should contribute. I think IUPUI will fall off without Hunter and Oakland, ORU, & NDSU will battle for the top spot. I agree that IUPUI may fall off without Ron Hunter. Time will tell. But I wondered why you see NDSU moving into the 3rd spot if IUPUI falls back. Over the last 2 years (I think) since NDSU lost Ben Woodside, SDSU has had a stronger team. SDSU lost Clint Sargent and Dale Moss after last year, but they have several good players coming back including Wolters, Dykstra, and Callahan, as well as a couple new players with high scoring averages. I expect that NDSU and SDSU will have consistently competitive teams most years, but I still see SDSU as being more likely to fill the 3rd spot if IUPUI falls back based upon the quality of their team last year. NDSU was the 7th place team in the conference last year with a 14-15 record overall and 8-10 Summit League record. In fact, who was the 4th place team last year behind Oakland, ORU and IUPUI? It was IPFW, who finished a game ahead of SDSU with an 11-7 record in conference. The standings were tight last year except for Oakland, so a lot of teams have reasons to feel that they can take a step forward, and that will make for an interesting 2011-2012 Summit League season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeagleman5 Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Marshall(73)....NC State(72) and Tennessee(71) all come in just ahead of us in this poll.....ORU is in some good company.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlue82 Posted September 10, 2011 Share Posted September 10, 2011 The 144 preview has now placed ORU in its NCAA bracket as a #14 seed, which is probably a reasonable choice. Interesting that none of the nine teams ranked ahead of us (#s 65-73) are slated for the NCAA tournament (the disadvantage of being in a large conference). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Titan Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Colorado State checks in at No. 61 in the poll. The No. 7 seed in the Preseason NIT tournament, the Rams won 19 games last year and are projected as the third-place team in the rugged Mountain West. Decent chance we could meet them in the 3rd or 4th round of the NIT - hopefully at the Mabee Center, since we're the No. 6 seed and would presumably host a consolation quad before the Rams would. They could possibly host a consolation quad of their own, in which case we might have to play them on their home court in Fort Collins. No. 61 - Colorado State Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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