The Kory Barnett Era: 5 Reasons Why Oral Roberts Men's Basketball Is Primed For A New Cinderella Run In 2025-2026

The Oral Roberts University (ORU) Golden Eagles men's basketball program is undergoing one of its most significant transitions in recent memory, with a fresh start under new leadership for the 2025-2026 season. As of December 2025, the team has officially ushered in the Kory Barnett era, marking a dramatic shift from the challenging 7-23 record of the previous season and aiming to recapture the magic of their historic March Madness run. This article dives deep into the current state of the program, the new coaching staff, the key players to watch, and the indelible legacy of their most famous NCAA Tournament performance, providing the most current and comprehensive analysis available. The excitement surrounding the program is palpable, centered on the hiring of Head Coach Kory Barnett, who takes the reins as the 13th head coach in the program's history. Barnett, a respected figure in college basketball, is tasked with revitalizing the team and building a consistent winner in the competitive Summit League, all while leveraging the national spotlight the program earned just a few short years ago.

The New Era: Kory Barnett and the 2025-2026 Coaching Staff & Roster

The biggest story for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles is the complete overhaul of the coaching staff, which signals a renewed commitment to elite-level basketball. Athletic Director Tim Johnson secured Kory Barnett to lead the program, bringing with him a fresh perspective and a new system designed to elevate the team's performance. Barnett’s arrival immediately injected optimism into the program, especially after the difficult 2023-2024 campaign under former coach Russell Springmann.

Kory Barnett's Inaugural Coaching Staff

The new Head Coach has assembled a talented and experienced staff to launch his tenure successfully:

• Head Coach: Kory Barnett (First Season: 2025-2026)
• Associate Head Coach: Kory Alford
• Assistant Coach: Van Green
• Assistant Coach: Donovan Williams

This new staff is focused on player development and aggressive recruiting, which is already paying dividends with key commitments for future seasons, such as international prospect Ofri Naveh for the 2025-2026 season.

2025-2026 Season Outlook and Key Players

The 2025-2026 season represents a reset for ORU men's basketball. The non-conference schedule has been released, providing a challenging slate designed to prepare the Golden Eagles for Summit League play. While the full roster details are still solidifying under the new regime, the focus will be on the players who embrace Barnett’s system and can step into the leadership roles vacated by previous transfers and graduations.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The team is looking to improve significantly upon the 7-23 overall record from the 2023-2024 season, which included a 3-13 finish in the Summit League. The early-season games in December 2025, including matchups against opponents like Missouri State, are crucial tests for the new-look Golden Eagles.

The Immortal Legacy: Oral Roberts' 2021 NCAA Tournament Cinderella Run

No discussion of Oral Roberts men's basketball is complete without revisiting the extraordinary 2021 NCAA Tournament, a run that cemented the program's place in March Madness lore and provided the ultimate topical authority for the Golden Eagles. This historic performance serves as the benchmark for the Kory Barnett era and the ultimate goal for the current team.

The Second-Ever No. 15 Seed to Reach the Sweet Sixteen

In 2021, the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, led by coach Paul Mills, entered the tournament as a No. 15 seed, a position typically reserved for early-round eliminations. They defied all expectations, becoming only the second No. 15 seed in NCAA Tournament history to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Their journey was a captivating display of grit and high-octane offense:

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

• Round 1 Upset: ORU defeated the No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes in overtime, stunning the college basketball world.
• Round 2 Victory: They followed up with a decisive win over the No. 7 seed Florida Gators, securing their spot in the Sweet Sixteen.
• Sweet Sixteen Heartbreak: The magical run finally ended in a hard-fought 72-70 loss to the No. 3 seed Arkansas Razorbacks.

The Max Abmas Phenomenon

The undisputed star of the 2021 run was point guard Max Abmas. The undersized guard became a national sensation, leading the nation in scoring during the regular season and delivering heroic performances on the biggest stage.

• Abmas scored 29 points against Ohio State.
• He followed up with 26 points against Florida.

Abmas’s incredible tournament play, alongside the contributions of forward Kevin Obanor (who later transferred to Texas Tech), demonstrated that ORU could compete with and defeat Power Five conference teams. His legacy is a crucial piece of the program's identity, symbolizing the potential for a mid-major program from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to achieve national prominence.

Beyond March Madness: Historical Context and Program Entities

While the 2021 run is the most famous, the Oral Roberts men's basketball program has a long history of success dating back decades, providing a solid foundation of topical authority. The Golden Eagles have been a consistent presence in NCAA Division I, primarily competing in the Summit League (formerly the Mid-Continent Conference).

Key Program Milestones and Entities:

The program's overall record since the 1971-72 season stands at an impressive 844-669, showcasing a winning tradition over five decades. The team’s history includes multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and a previous trip to the Sweet Sixteen.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

• First Sweet Sixteen: The team made its first Sweet Sixteen appearance in 1974.
• NCAA Appearances: In addition to 1974 and 2021, ORU also qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1984, 2006, 2007, and 2008.
• Summit League Powerhouse: ORU has consistently been a contender in the Summit League, relying on strong guard play and a high-scoring offense.
• Notable Alumni: The program has produced several professional players, with Max Abmas being the most recent high-profile example, following in the footsteps of other ORU greats.
• The Mabee Center: The team's home arena in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a historic venue that provides a distinct home-court advantage.

The Future: Can Kory Barnett Recreate the Magic?

The question now is whether Head Coach Kory Barnett can leverage the program's history and the lingering excitement from the 2021 March Madness run to build a sustainable winner. The 2025-2026 season is a critical first step. Barnett's ability to recruit talented players like Ofri Naveh, develop the existing roster, and navigate the challenging Summit League schedule will determine the trajectory of the Golden Eagles. The foundation is there—a history of success, the precedent of a No. 15 seed reaching the Sweet Sixteen, and a passionate fan base eager for another taste of March Madness. For Oral Roberts men's basketball, the Kory Barnett era is not just a rebuild; it is a quest to prove that the 2021 Cinderella story was not a fluke, but a glimpse of the program's enduring potential. All eyes are on Tulsa as the Golden Eagles look to soar once again.