The Titans did not skip a beat under new head coach Jerry Hale, posting a 20-8 record and advancing to postseason play for the fourth straight year. The team's appearance in the NIT at Madison Square Garden marked the third time in four seasons in the postseason classic for the Titans, who nipped Memphis State 97-95 in the first round before losing a hard-fought battle to Oregon 68-59 four nights later. Sophomore forward Anthony Roberts blossomed into an offensive force and gave an extended glimpse of things to come by averaging 22.4 points per game to lead the team. Roberts had averaged just 5.2 points per outing in limited action the year before. He was followed closely by fellow sophomore Arnold Dugger, who averaged 17.1 points in his first season with the Titans after coming to ORU with Hale from the junior college level. Roberts and Dugger would each earn All-American honors at the end of the season, with Roberts being named to the Independent First Team squad. The team's 20-8 record marked the sixth consecutive 20-plus win campaign and included wins over Texas A&M, Jacksonville and Southern Illinois.