ORU basketball preview

Thursday, November 8th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Tulsa-AP) -- Oral Roberts University its showed its confidence in coach Scott Sutton by giving him a three-year contract extension. Sutton is responding by setting higher goals for this season's Golden Eagle team.

Sutton has four starters among six lettermen returning and says he wants to challenge for the Mid-Continent Conference title and a spot in the NCAA tournament.

Two pre-season publications pick ORU for third in the conference after finishing seventh a year ago.

Among the top returners is guard Markius Barnes, who led the team with 16 points per game and was selected to the Mid-Con All-Newcomer team.

Luke Spencer-Gardner is back at guard and 6-foot-11 Matt Gastel returns at center, along with contributor Charlie Ludwig, a 7-footer.