From ORU Sports Information
TULSA, Okla.-In its first year of competition in the Southland Conference, the ORU men’s basketball team has been picked as the favorite to win the League by both the coaches and sports information directors, it was announced by the conference Thursday.
The Golden Eagles picked up seven of 10 first place votes in the coaches’ poll, earning 77 points to edge out Stephen F. Austin, who earned the remaining three first place votes and 72 points. The final point totals were the same in the SID poll, despite ORU earning six of the 10 first place votes.
Additionally, senior guard Warren Niles and junior forward Steven Roundtree were named to the preseason All-Southland second team.
Niles was second on the team in scoring last season at 12.1 points per game and has started 58 consecutive games for the Golden Eagles going into his senior season. He was a Summit League honorable mention in each of the last two years.
Roundtree was the 2012 Summit League Sixth Man of the Year, and has been picked as the Southland Player of the Year by Yahoo! Sports and Lindy’s preseason publications. Lindy’s also named Roundtree the Southland’s best rebounder and best NBA prospect.
ORU is coming off a 27-7 season that included a regular season Summit League Championship and a postseason trip to the NIT.
2012-13 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rank School (first-place votes) Pts.
1. Oral Roberts (7) 77
2. Stephen F. Austin (3) 72
3. Northwestern State 61
4. McNeese State 55
5. Lamar 45
6 Southeastern Louisiana 42
7. Sam Houston State 38
8. Nicholls State 24
Central Arkansas 24
10. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 12
2012-13 Preseason SID Poll
Rank School (first-place votes) Pts.
1. Oral Roberts (6) 77
2. Stephen F. Austin (4) 72
3. Lamar 57
McNeese State 57
5. Northwestern State 56
6. Sam Houston State 40
7. Southeastern Louisiana 33
8. Nicholls State 27
9. Central Arkansas 18
10. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 13
2012-13 Preseason All-League Teams
First Team
Antonio Bostic G SFA
Shamir Davis G NWLA
LaQuentin Miles G UCA
Brandon Fortenberry G SLU
Taylor Smith F/C SFA
Second Team
Warren Niles G ORU
Dontae Cannon G MSU
James Hulbin F NWLA
Fred Hunter F NSU
Steven Roundtree F ORU
Blake Freeland is the Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations at Oral Roberts University.