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A youth movement is underway on Oral Roberts’ basketball roster this season. Freshmen Emmanuel Nzekwesi and Chris Miller figure to get a lot of minutes, and there’s potential for Dezmond McDaniel to crack the rotation at the point guard spot.

McDaniel is from 5-foot-11 guard from Kansas City, Missouri. And here’s a recent Q&A with him…

What did you know about ORU while you were in high school?

In high school, I was a freshman and D.J. Jackson, he went to my high school, and he got recruited to go to ORU. I knew about ORU because everyone was talking about it, so once they recruited me I thought it was cool.

In terms of expectations, what did you come in expecting of yourself this season?

I just need to come in and play my role. I’m a freshman and I’ve got a couple of seniors in front of me. They push me every day in practice, so I’m just learning. I’m just absorbing everything I can.

What have you learned from Aaron Young and Aaron Anderson?

They are great guys, and we push each other each and every day. They tell me things I need to know in the long run. They’re just great leaders.

What was it like with your dad being a professional baseball player?

It was cool. I used to play baseball, and I was pretty big into it. I played both basketball and baseball, and once I hit fifth grade I focused on basketball.

Is there any kind of animosity from the Missouri side when viewing the high school basketball players on the Kansas side in Kansas City, kind of like the Kansas-Missouri rivalry in college?

It’s kind of the same thing. We play the William Jewell Shootout, and it’s always Missouri versus Kansas teams.

What have you discovered about Oklahoma that you like?

I like the fairs here. Went to the Tulsa State Fair.

What was your favorite thing at the fair?

It was one of those basketball shooting booths, and I won monkeys there.

What are you wanting to do after college?

I want to play overseas or wherever, and if that doesn’t work out, I want to coach little kids.

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Prediction time

ORU hosts Rogers State tonight at the Mabee Center. That doesn’t get the juices flowing, but it’s an opportunity for ORU fans to watch what amounts to a mostly new crop of talent.

Emmanuel Nzekwesi, after leading ORU with 15 points at Baylor on Friday, should showcase why he’ll be must-see material throughout his tenure at ORU. Same goes for Chris Miller, who could form a solid duo with Albert Owens down low.

The Golden Eagles really need Jalen Bradley, Aaron Anderson and Aaron Young to be solid contributors at those guard spots. And then the development of Jontray Harris and Dezmond McDaniel will be paramount.

But as for tonight, it’s one of those games where ORU should rack up impressive numbers. If it doesn’t, it’ll be a disappointment before the Golden Eagles head to the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam.

Score prediction: ORU 87, Rogers State 65.