College hoops fans, we made it. Welcome to November.
From now on, all the games matter. No more overreacting about exhibition scores, or deep diving into message boards for secret scrimmage news. There are real games, and they matter.
Of course, not all games matter all the same. The last time we saw Oakland take the floor in games that matter, they were cutting nets in Indianapolis and become NCAA Tournament darlings in Pittsburgh.
A November battle against a team picked last in the WHAC, an NAIA conference, usually would not be a game that matters a ton in the grand scheme of things.
This one, however, feels different.
Greg Kampe has been at Oakland since 1984. Through 40 seasons, he has amassed 699 wins as the Golden Grizzlies head man. Now, the Defiance, Ohio native can (hopefully) celebrate his 700th against his hometown school.
The group Kampe is about to join is elite. The list of current D1 coaches with 700 wins includes the biggest and best names the sport has to offer. Calipari, Barnes, Self, Sampson, Altman, Larranaga, Pitino, Few and Izzo is it.
When you break it down further, how many of those have done it all at one school?
Few.
Izzo.
Kampe.
Oakland is lucky to have such a legend stalking the sidelines, and the setting Monday night, the season opener coming off the best season in school history against his hometown school, is a perfect one to celebrate him.
Although it may not seem like it based on the beginning of this article, there will be players playing a basketball game Monday night as well.
Oakland’s opponent, Defiance, made the move from Division 3 to NAIA this offseason, and will be competing there now. After a 1-win season a year ago, hopefully for them the move puts them in a better place. Defiance comes into this one sitting at 1-1 on the year so far, coming off of a win against Miami-Middletown.
Oakland met Defiance two years ago, with that final score ending up at 92-27. Since that game, Defiance has met four other Division 1 programs, and only one of those had a margin within 43 points. Defiance is picked to finish in last place in the WHAC, the same conference Rochester Christian is towards the top of. This should be a game Oakland is able to create separation in.
This will be a good chance for Oakland to get some confidence going for guys who have struggled during the exhibition season. Malcolm Christie didn’t make a shot in two preseason games, while Jayson Woodrich scored the ball, but didn’t see the three fall at a clip he would be happy with. Those two shooters seeing the ball go down a few times in real regular season game action would be huge heading into a gauntlet stretch of the schedule.
DQ Cole and Allen Mukeba are what they are, and will get their chances to score here, but a guy like Buru Naivalarua could get some extended looks as a go-to presence as well. It will be interesting to see who takes the bulk of the scoring load in a game with such a large talent gap.
Tip off is slated for 7pm on Monday inside the O’rena. The broadcast of the game will be on ESPN+.
