“Consistency is the hallmark of greatness.”
That quote is one of Greg Kampe’s favorites, and it reverberates throughout the walls of the O’rena. If there was any fear that a historic season that ended in the national spotlight would change anything within the program for the worse, one indication that that worry will not come to fruition is the upcoming non-conference schedule.
A tough early portion of the season has become a staple at Oakland, and the newest edition is no exception. It is full of storylines, challenges and plenty of intrigue. Let’s break it down.
Exhibition:
Usually, there would not be a section dedicated to the preseason contests. However, Oakland has pulled out two games that provide palpable excitement to many.
Anytime a mid-major program like Oakland can get a national brand on a neutral floor it will make headlines, no matter the date on the calendar. Fresh off two neutral site environments against blue blood Kentucky, and final four participant North Carolina State, the Golden Grizzlies get Michigan at Little Caesars Arena. The Wolverines will be led by first-year head coach Dusty May, who comes over by way of Florida Atlantic. An early look at both of these teams in a fun environment will be a great way to ring in the basketball new year, while not counting as an actual contest.
Oakland will round out the exhibition season against in-city opponent Rochester Christian University. What adds intrigue into this matchup is where it will be played, at Garth Pleasant Arena, home of Rochester Christian. Oakland played there in the fall of 2022, and squeaked out a two point victory, after winning by the same margin in their last matchup in the fall of 2019. Both of those were exhibitions as well. Former Oakland player Brody Parker enters his Senior season for the Warriors.
Regular Season:
Oakland has pieced together another difficult non-conference slate, but it will begin with what should be a way to start the season off with a win. Defiance College, a D3, will travel to the O’rena to open the campaign for the 2nd time in three years. Oakland won the previous game 92-27. This edition of the teams meeting will carry more significance than past ones however, as Greg Kampe, sitting a 699 career wins, will go head-to-head with his hometown college for win number 700. November 4th should be a festive occasion in Rochester.
To say Oakland will be taking a step up in weight class will be an understatement, as two days later a cross-country trip to the presumed Mountain West favorites is in store. Boise State was an NCAA Tournament team last year, and returns two all MWC conference players. The Broncos hosted Oakland two years ago and won, moving the all time series record to 2-0 in favor of Boise State. Oakland will take home a $90,000 check, and will also look to leave Idaho with a favorable on-court result as well.
Speaking of recent buy game opponents, the Golden Grizzlies travel back to Illinois to take on the Illini for the second year in a row. Last year, Oakland had an early lead and was tied with Illinois with 5-6 minutes to go. This is a new look Illinois bunch, but they are still pegged as a very competitive Big Ten team. Not only does the opponent present challenges, but this game takes place two days after the Boise State game, meaning travel and fatigue will play a factor. However, another big payday and a quality early test makes this opportunity hard to pass up due to a quick turnaround. These two provided a fun game last year, and Oakland hopes to finish this year’s contest a little stronger.
It is not often you get a chance to take on a blueblood, so when you get the chance, it brings excitement. Oakland will travel to the hallowed grounds of Phog Allen Fieldhouse to play Kansas in mid November. Many have tabbed the Jayhawks as the preseason number 1 team in college basketball, and led by Coach Bill Self who has multiple national championships under his belt, it is for good reason. This is the third time the Golden Grizzlies will take the trip to Lawrence, with neither of the first two being particularly competitive. They will look to change that trend while thinking of the last time Oakland saw a loaded blueblood roster in the NCAA Tournament. Is there more dragon-slaying magic in the Golden Grizzlies?
In-state battles are always fun, and Oakland will meet Eastern Michigan in the O’rena. It will be the 15th matchup all time between the Eagles and Golden Grizzlies, with Oakland leading the all time series 8-6, two of those losses coming from the D2 days. This is the third year in a row these two programs will meet, with Oakland winning the previous two. EMU has struggled of late, with the last winning season coming during the 2017-2018 campaign. Oakland will certainly look to find a win on its home court, in the middle of a brutal stretch.
An underrated series for the Golden Grizzlies recently has been the one with Toledo. The series shifts back to Toledo after last year’s one point home defeat for Oakland. This will be the 8th year in a row the two have played each other, and the games have been very good for the most part, with three of those being decided by 1-2 points. Despite the close nature of those, Toledo won all three of those tight contests and they have won the matchup six of the previous seven years. The Rockets have won the MAC regular season crown four years in a row, so this will be a great November test for the defending Horizon League champs.
On December 17th, after being moved to Breslin Center last year, the yearly battle between Oakland and Michigan State shifts back to Little Caesars Arena after two years in a row in East Lansing. This game will feature the good friends Tom Izzo and Greg Kampe, who enter the year as the two longest-tenured D1 men’s basketball coaches in America. Much like Oakland, Michigan State saw their top 3 scorers depart from last season, so there will be some fresh faces on both sides adding their name to the Oakland Michigan State NBA arena series. Oakland is 0-22 against the Spartans, and although both coaches have expressed desire to continue the series, this is currently the final year of the contract. Is this the year Oakland can get it done?
The past few years, Oakland has left the country for their MTE. This year, they will go about as far away without leaving the country as you can get. The Golden Grizzlies take their show to Hawaii for the Diamond Head Classic, hosted by University of Hawaii. The tournament traditionally falls during Christmas week, with play wrapping up on Christmas Day, so the holiday season will have a taste of Oakland hoops this year. The tournament is put on by ESPN, which leads to national broadcasts on ESPN networks for most, if not all of the games. The field is loaded too. Host Hawaii, Nebraska, Oregon State, Charleston, Charlotte, and perhaps most intriguing Loyola Chicago, coached by Oakland great and former Oakland assistant Drew Valentine are in the field, with one more team to be announced. This should be a fun few days for Oakland and its fans.
Last but certainly not least for the non-conference portion of the schedule, it is Cal vs Kampe, for the second time in 2024. The first matchup is obviously remembered nationwide as the final chapter in John Calipari’s Kentucky tenure. The two legendary head coaches will battle again as Oakland travels to Arkansas on December 30th. With a loaded transfer class, including a few Kentucky Wildcats, the Hogs enter the year as a possible top 10 team in the country, so Oakland will have their work cutout for them. Unfortunately for Oakland, Jack Gohlke will not be allowed to play in this one, but it should be a game that brings tons of eyes. Have your popcorn ready for late December.
This is a heck of a slate ahead for the Golden Grizzlies. Between the chances to play elite competition, a payday that looks to be almost half a million dollars, and storylines galore, this fall should bring some outstanding basketball for Oakland. Bring on college basketball.
