Oakland left the radar as quickly as they appeared. Now, they’re getting ready to send some shockwaves through the upcoming tournament.
The Golden Grizzlies from Oakland, during the 2010 Summit League tournament, successfully came out on top in a game with the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis: 76 to 64. As a result of this game, the team received their spot in the 2010 NCAA tournament. During the regular season’s conference championship, Oakland won seventeen to one in the Summit League.
In the 09-10 basketball season, Oakland managed to play against several renowned teams. As some had expected, those specific games did not play out in the Golden Grizzlies’ favor. Oakland lost to Wisconsin by sixteen points. Against Kansas, the Grizzlies were crushed. Memphis annihilated Oakland in a staggering 77 to 46. As if that wasn’t enough, Syracuse proceeded to destroy them with 92 to 60. In the Summit League, however, Oakland managed to win against all opponents except IUPUI.
Only four of Oakland’s players are able to average at least 11 points per contest. Keith Benson, the team’s center, takes the lead in points, blocks and rebounds, whereas Derrick Nelson shoots from behind the arc 40% of the time, scores 12 points a game, and has 6 successful rebounds. In the way of assists, Oakland has an average of 13 and a half each game, but the average number of turnovers is 14! In the match against IUPUI, Benson, Nelson, and guard Larry Wright were able to muster sixteen points.
One trend with NCAA tournaments is that the possibility of what is known as a Cinderella appears in the first round of games. In this situation, a team has taken the lead with about seven or eight minutes left in the 2nd half. However, the lead always manages to disappear due to a lack of depth. A small school might only be 4 deep, with their opponent being seven to eight deep.
Oakland is no exception. The team’s starters are facing a massive disadvantage against the major conference schools. The Golden Grizzlies were held bench to 6 points by IUPUI. Other schools will not be performing any worse. Despite the fact that Oakland is, in fact, coming into 2010 with a nice victory streak behind them, not many give much attention to the Summit League unless they were involved.
Greg Kampe, the coach of the Golden Grizzlies, wants his team to survive to at least the Sweet Sixteen. The only problem there is that Oakland hasn’t even been remotely close to a victory against a major team. It looks like 2010 will be a sad year for Oakland, as they will probably be a once-and-done team.
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