We made it.
There have been appetizers sure, as Oakland has dipped into conference play a few times already. But as the calendar turns to 2025, the rest of the regular season schedule is the main course.
Conference play.
Just like last year, when Oakland ended up winning the regular season crown, the Golden Grizzlies have put themselves a little behind. A 1-2 start in Horizon League play has Oakland looking up at others in the standings, but two games at home this week can help change that.
It starts on Thursday, when Milwaukee comes to Rochester in the first rematch between the two programs since the Horizon League Championship game last season. The Panthers were the preseason pick to win the conference, and come into this one 3-0 in Horizon League play, 10-4 overall.
It is easy to see why this Milwaukee team was highly regarded, as they are loaded with weapons. Themus Fulks, a transfer who averaged double digits at Louisiana last season, leads Milwaukee in scoring with over 15 points per game. He is a part of a high-powered backcourt. Returner Kentrell Pullian scores over 14 points a game, and Queens transfer AJ McKee, who put up over 18 points a game last season, is over 13 a game this year.
Inside, Jamichael Stillwell is a force. He scores 13 a game, while also averaging 12 rebounds. Returners Eric Pratt and Faizon Fields add great depth to this group.
Milwaukee is coming off of an 88-81 home win over Iu-Indy. They also have wins over Cleveland State and Green Bay. Thursday night should be a very fun mid-major basketball game inside the O’rena.
It will be a quick turnaround, as Oakland will get Robert Morris on the blacktop on Saturday afternoon. Robert Morris will play at Detroit Mercy on Thursday, so it will be the same circumstances for both teams.
Before heading to Michigan, the Colonials beat Northern Kentucky at home in triple overtime, winning 97-93. In that game, Bigman and leading scorer Alvaro Folgueiras posted a stat line of 21 points, 19 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals. He averages over 13 points and 11 boards a game.
Forward Amarion Dickerson follows behind with over 12 points a game, and seven boards. He was a monster in the win over NKU as well, scoring 27 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and blocking five shots. Dickerson and Folgueiras form a formidable frontcourt that will test Oakland.
Kam Woods and Josh Omojafo are two double digit a game scorers as well in the backcourt.
No matter the result Thursday, Saturday’s game is key. Taking care of home-court against a team that is not picked towards the top of the league is crucial in the early season.
Robert Morris’s other league results are two losses to Youngstown State and Purdue Fort Wayne.
Oakland will undoubtedly be excited to hit the court on their home floor, as they have only played three home games this year. It will have been seven games in a row away from home, with trips to Hawaii, Arkansas, Youngstown State and Cleveland State all in that stretch. Oakland has played one home game since November 22nd, and two home games since November 5th,
The huge tilt with Milwaukee will tip off at 7pm Eastern Time on Thursday, while the Robert Morris game will be Saturday afternoon at 3om Eastern Time. Both games will be on ESPN+.
