Men’s Basketball’s Sweet 16 Run Sparks Celebrations & Prayers Among ORU Community

Students and staff at Oral Roberts University are getting very excited as the men's basketball team heads into the Sweet 16 game Saturday.

The student body here at ORU meets for chapel every Wednesday, and today they took some time to pray and cheer for the men's basketball team ahead of Saturday's Sweet 16 matchup.

"All of you, all of you, we're proud of you at Oral Roberts University and we want you to know that," ORU President Dr. William Wilson said.

For the first time since 1974, the Golden Eagles are in the Sweet 16 after beating No. 2 Ohio State and seventh-ranked Florida.

Next up is a rematch with No. 3 Arkansas. They beat ORU earlier this year, but the Golden Eagles led by 12 at one point in the second half.

"So, it's like when you flunk a test, and the teacher says would you like to retake it, and you're like, please give me another chance," head coach Paul Mills said.

Mills said they're looking forward to proving themselves again on the national stage. And it’s evident that the students are ready to back them up with a ton of energy.

"This is literally history in the making that we're experiencing so the energy has been through the roof," ORU cheerleader Kamryn Brown said.

"It's amazing to have a platform like that to not just glorify Christ but also share it through our team. Our team's doing a great job, our boys are doing a great job," ORU student Jordan Rollinson said.

The upset over the Gators may have busted brackets across the country, but everyone here at ORU is praying it happens again this Saturday.

"One more weekend of victory and Oral Roberts University will be in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament, wow, we love those guys, keep praying for them in Indianapolis," Wilson said.

ORU is holding another watch party for Saturday's game against Arkansas, at the Mabee Center. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.