ORU = Gonzaga of the Summit?

[true2theroos]

I had an interesting conversation with a buddy tonight after the bracket was released. Would it help or hurt the Roos if Oral Roberts became the “Gonzaga of the Summit League?” By that, I mean eventually becoming good enough to receive at-large bids even if they don’t win the conference.

On one hand, it’d make it much more difficult for us to make the NCAA Tournament. However, there’s the old saying that “one high tide lifts all boats.” Perhaps them going on a similar run could not only help boost the profile of the conference, but encourage the other member schools (including us) to keep up with them. After all, I believe the conference has the potential to become quite competitive the next few years:

- Oral Roberts (enough said)
- NDSU and SDSU have made recent tournament appearances and have strong programs
- St. Thomas is investing millions into their basketball programs
- Denver also has the potential to do the same given their school’s alumni base
- UMKC (the plan is to eventually get facility upgrades and Menzies has a strong track record)
- Even South Dakota recently built a new arena and seems to be on the right track with their new head coach

Thoughts?

[section28]

ORU kinda already is... they play a tough schedule and have good road wins... to be honest, if the teams in the league would only play tough opponents and don't give a d**n about their out of conference records for a couple years, we would naturally turn into a multi bid league.... nobody plays a 350 ranked team... the whole conference is elevated from the bottom as well... with ORU and the top teams picking off some wins in those bigger events... That cost the least amount... although tough to take on coaching records... should make bonuses for coaches on strength of schedule and have conference bonus payouts for strength of schedule. New building for st thomas and sdsu. Can also re seed the schedule so that tourney bottom half is set after first lap through everyone and then the top teams play each other a 3rd time.... giving the top 6 teams even better RPIs

[section28]

Felt this year was also an eye opener for Marv as per facilities.... in the WAC, many hoop only schools and some dumps to play in... that thing in bakersfield, chicago state, UTRGV, UMKC... so Marv always was near top at facilities.... along comes Grand Canyon and Cal Baptist... Now, even Western Illinois and Denver are football schools and have elite weight rooms.... Denver and Omaha have great arenas due to hockey.... North Dakota kinda dumpy and cramped but they get a new one in 2 years... so we are the bottom.... I think we should embrace it... the whole Clubber Lang vibe from Rocky III. Have the secondary warmup be just a towel with a hole in it for the head.... like Mike Tyson had when he was young and absolutely terrifying... and then finally... since we have some athletic dudes... absolutely skin tight upper jersey that shows abs.. Jeff, Allen, RayQ, Jevin, and Tyler would look pretty tough. Also the hoodie worn for intros with a peel off as the name is called.

[section28]

Ok... lets go all the way... a chain link fence behind the benches that fans can run up and shake... and throw stuff at it... haha like blues brothers.. love it. the urban vibe.

[section28]

male cheerleaders dressed like Shaft... leather coat, hat sunglasses, chewing toothpicks... when the dance team goes out, our male cheerleaders do the staredown of visiting bench... one hand in the coat pocket...... band plays the theme of "Shaft" and the TV show "Baretta"

[perry c]

I don't see a Gonzaga-ORU comparison here. NDSU has won 4 of the last 10 titles. SDSU has also won 4 of the last 10. ORU's program is not at that level, let alone at a Gonzaga level. Not expecting that to change.

[roos34]

ORU really seemed to struggle with Duke’s height, quickness, and athleticism. I was surprised that their offense got taken apart like that. Absmas was ineffective offensively, and Vanover was overshadowed by Duke’s big guys. I think ORU can compete with Duke much better than that, but they seemed a little shocked in the initial 10-15 minutes as Duke came right at them.