Up next: UALR hosts Oral Roberts Monday night

BURN THE HORSE

Oral Roberts (6-3)
at UALR (3-7)
7 p.m. Monday
Jack Stephens Center
I’m not so sure Oral Roberts isn’t the most talented team UALR has faced this season. OK. Maybe the Golden Eagles are not on Michigan State’s level, but they are a very experienced team.

Want proof?

Opponents are shooting a higher percentage than they are. They’ve got more turnovers than assists. Yet they’re winning all the close games. That’s because this is an extremely experienced team that knows how to win in the clutch. Their past four victories have come by 6, 8, 5 and 6 points.

It’s very much the same group that UALR faced twice last season. UALR lost big in Tulsa and won a close game in Las Vegas.

ORU starts with Dominique Morrison. The 6-6 senior averages 16.8 points. The same five have started every game so far for a reason. Michael Craion, 6-5, averages 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds, Steven Roundtree, 6-8, averages 12.2 points and 7.4 rebounds and Roderick Pearson, 6-2, averages 6-4 points and 2.0 rebounds.

They’ve got more size across the board than Missouri State. That could pose problems for UALR if the Trojans try to play lineups with multiple small guards.

Depth is the only issue Oral Roberts seems to have. Only nine players have seen action this season and Coach Scott Sutton really only wants to play eight. Those coming off the bench include guard Mikey Manghum, who is a British teammate of UALR’s Will Neighbour.