Three keys to the Minnesota Gophers beating Oral Roberts and how to watch

On By Littum

The barn

19:00

BTN+

Oral Roberts

Unfortunately you will not be able to watch this game unless you subscribe to BTN+. But we can preview the game and give you an idea of ​​what to expect as the Gophers tip off the season with Oral Roberts tonight.

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles

Record: 0-0
KenPom Rank: 245

You may recall that Oral Roberts was a dangerous non-conference team in recent years. But it’s not that version. Paul Mills built ORU to be a very good mid-major that made the NCAA Tournament in 2 of 3 seasons, including a 30-5 season in 2022-23. But will see Mills later this season when we face Wichita State as he transferred to the Shockers in the spring of 2023.

The Golden Eagles are now led by Russell Springman, who is entering his second season in Tulsa. They finished 5-11 at the summit last year and are looking to improve with their leading scorer returning.

Only 2 starters return for the Golden Eagles, but the guy at the top is a good one. They have some interesting signings, but we won’t know much about this team until we see them in action on Wednesday night.

KEYS TO A GOPHER WINNER

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Defense Isaac McBride – The senior guard is the Summit League preseason player of the year and averaged 19.8 points per game last season. If anyone is going to bring ORU to an upset, it will be McBride.

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Find open shooting games – I like the prospects that this Gopher team will be able to make threes. But they must be able to move the ball and hit open looks. Nobody on this team is good enough to force it, it takes ball movement and cooperation.

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Keep turnover down – It was a problem last year, and a problem that I would have liked to have reversed.

FORECAST

The loss of Frank Mitchell to the Gophuers is a significant loss to our thin frontcourt, but if the defense can manage to limit McBride, Minnesota should be OK.

These games are never as easy as they should be, especially game one. But I believe the Gophers will start the season 1-0.

Minnesota – 79
Oral Roberts – 67