2017–18 Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball team

2017–18 Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball
ConferenceHorizon League
Record19–14 (10–8 Horizon)
Head coach
Associate head coachDan Hipsher
Assistant coaches
Home arenaAthletics Center O'rena
Seasons
2017–18 Horizon League men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
Northern Kentucky 15 – 3   .833 22 – 10   .688
Wright State † 14 – 4   .778 25 – 10   .714
UIC 12 – 6   .667 20 – 16   .556
Oakland 10 – 8   .556 19 – 14   .576
Milwaukee 8 – 10   .444 16 – 17   .485
IUPUI 8 – 10   .444 11 – 19   .367
Green Bay 7 – 11   .389 13 – 20   .394
Cleveland State 6 – 12   .333 12 – 23   .343
Youngstown State 6 – 12   .333 8 – 24   .250
Detroit 4 – 14   .222 8 – 24   .250
† 2018 Horizon League Tournament winner

The 2017–18 Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball team represented Oakland University (OU) during the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The Golden Grizzlies were led by 34th-year head coach Greg Kampe and played their home games at the Athletics Center O'rena in Rochester, Michigan as members of the Horizon League.

Oakland made a three-point field goal in every game of the season, increasing their steak to 937 consecutive games, the eighth-longest active NCAA Division I streak (at the time). They last finished a game without a three-pointer on January 30, 1988.[1]

Previous season

The Golden Grizzlies finished the 2016–17 season 25–9, 14–4 in Horizon League play to win a share for the Horizon League regular season championship.[2] As the No. 1 seed in the Horizon League tournament, they were upset in the quarterfinals by Youngstown State.[3] As a conference champion and No. 1 seed who failed to win their conference tournament, they received an automatic bid to the National Invitation Tournament where they defeated Clemson[4] in the first round before losing to Richmond in the second round.[5]

Off-season

Roster changes

The Golden Grizzlies lost Sherron Dorsey-Walker, a guard on the 2016–17 team, to graduation. Prior to the season, sophomore Isaiah Brock unexpectedly decided to leave the team. Brock was named to the Horizon League's All-Defensive Team and All-Freshman Team.[6] Senior guard Stevie Clark also left the team, transferring to Louisiana State University in Shreveport.[7]

2017 recruiting class

College recruiting information
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
James Beck
SF 		Grand Rapids, MI Grand Rapids Christian High School 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) N/A  
Star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Stan Scott
SF 		Williamsport, PA Williamsport High School N/A N/A  
Star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Oakland Golden Grizzlies". ESPN.com.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Preseason polls

Preseason poll
School Points
Oakland (31) 453
Northern Kentucky (10) 414
UIC (3) 347
Detroit (1) 273
Wright State 259
Green Bay 249
Youngstown State (1) 209
Milwaukee (1) 161
Cleveland State 125
IUPUI 95
First place votes in parentheses.

Oakland was picked by coaches, media and sports information directors to finish first the Horizon League. Oakland received 31 of the 47 votes for first place ahead of second place Northern Kentucky. The adjacent table shows the complete preseason poll. Seniors Jalen Hayes and Martez Walker were selected to the preseason first team and Kendrick Nunn was selected to the second team.[8]

Oakland played three exhibition games, defeating Central Michigan, Rochester College and Davenport in games at the O'rena. The 108–88 victory against Central Michigan was a special game to raise money for the American Red Cross and hurricane relief.[9]

Roster

The following table lists Oakland's roster.[10]

2017–18 Oakland Golden Grizzlies men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
G 22 James Beck 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Fr Grand Rapids Christian H.S. Grand Rapids, Michigan
C 13 Brad Brechting Injured 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 217 lb (98 kg) Jr Cedar Springs H.S. Cedar Springs, Michigan
F 10 Isaiah Brock 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 191 lb (87 kg) So Forest Park H.S. Baltimore, Maryland
F 32 Tom Cotter (W) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 232 lb (105 kg) Sr Wayne State Williamston, Michigan
G 21 Jaevin Cumberland Injured 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 179 lb (81 kg) Jr Wilmington H.S. Wilmington, Ohio
G 2 Nick Daniels 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) RS Sr John Glenn H.S. Westland, Michigan
G 0 Chris Gilbert (W) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 181 lb (82 kg) RS Fr Fenton H.S. Fenton, Michigan
F 4 Jalen Hayes 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 213 lb (97 kg) RS Sr Sexton H.S. Lansing, Michigan
F 14 Xavier Hill-Mais Current redshirt 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 248 lb (112 kg) Jr Page H.S. Greensboro, North Carolina
G 11 Brailen Neely Injured 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 154 lb (70 kg) So Western H.S. Detroit, Michigan
G 24 Karmari Newman Current redshirt 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 170 lb (77 kg) So George Mason Detroit, Michigan
G 1 Kendrick Nunn 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 193 lb (88 kg) RS Sr Illinois Chicago, Illinois
F 44 Julius Palmer 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jr McLennan C.C. Detroit, Michigan
G/F 15 Chris Palombizio 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 212 lb (96 kg) So Don Bosco Prep Chesterton, Indiana
G 12 Stan Scott 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Williamsport H.S. Williamsport, Pennsylvania
G 35 Martez Walker Injured 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 185 lb (84 kg) RS Sr Texas Detroit, Michigan
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: February 15, 2018

Schedule and results

The following is Oakland's schedule.[11]

Date
time, TV 		Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (attendance)
city, state
Exhibition
October 29, 2017*
1:00 pm 		Central Michigan
Hurricane Relief Charity Game 		W 108–88[12] 
Athletics Center O'rena 
Rochester, MI
November 2, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		Rochester College W 91–73 
Athletics Center O'rena (1,745)
Rochester, MI
November 6, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		Davenport W 102–61 
Athletics Center O'rena (1,701)
Rochester, MI
Non-conference regular season
November 10, 2017*
7:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Fort Wayne W 85–71  1–0
 Athletics Center O'rena (3,579)
Rochester, MI
November 13, 2017*
7:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		New Orleans W 87–68  2–0
 Athletics Center O'rena (2,944)
Rochester, MI
November 18, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Toledo
Hoophall Miami Invitational 		L 74-87  2–1
 Savage Arena (4,436)
Toledo, OH
November 20, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Syracuse
Hoophall Miami Invitational 		L 50-74  2–2
 Carrier Dome (15,534)
Syracuse, NY
November 24, 2017*
8:00 pm, ESPN3 		at No. 3 Kansas
Hoophall Miami Invitational 		L 59-102  2–3
 Allen Fieldhouse (16,300)
Lawrence, KS
November 27, 2017*
8:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Oral Roberts W 93–86 OT 3–3
 Mabee Center (1,754)
Tulsa, OK
November 30, 2017*
7:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Texas Southern
Hoophall Miami Invitational 		W 97–87  4–3
 Athletics Center O'rena (2,854)
Rochester, MI
December 2, 2017*
2:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Western Michigan W 78–73  5–3
 University Arena (2,418)
Kalamazoo, MI
December 6, 2017*
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Eastern Michigan L 89-95  5–4
 Convocation Center (1,666)
Ypsilanti, MI
December 9, 2017*
3:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Chicago State W 82–50  6–4
 Athletics Center O'rena (3,286)
Rochester, MI
December 16, 2017*
2:30 pm, ESPNU 		vs. No. 2 Michigan State
Hitachi College Basketball Showcase 		L 73-86  6–5
 Little Caesars Arena (20,695)
Detroit, MI
December 20, 2017*
7:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Towson W 97–86  7–5
 Athletics Center O'rena (2,422)
Rochester, MI
December 22, 2017*
7:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Eastern Michigan W 86–81  8–5
 Athletics Center O'rena (3,661)
Rochester, MI
Horizon League regular season
December 28, 2017
8:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Milwaukee W 76–68  9–5
(1–0) 		UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena (1,312)
Milwaukee, WI
December 30, 2017
1:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Green Bay L 79-80  9–6
(1–1) 		Resch Center (2,683)
Green Bay, WI
January 5, 2018
9:00 pm[13], ESPN2 		Northern Kentucky L 83-87  9–7
(1–2) 		Athletics Center O'rena (3,411)
Rochester, MI
January 7, 2018
3:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Wright State L 81-86 OT 9–8
(1–3) 		Athletics Center O'rena (3,208)
Rochester, MI
January 10, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		Youngstown State W 95–82  10–8
(2–3) 		Athletics Center O'rena (2,657)
Rochester, MI
January 12, 2018
7:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Cleveland State W 81–68  11–8
(3–3) 		Athletics Center O'rena (3,156)
Rochester, MI
January 15, 2018
8:00 pm, NBCSC 		at UIC W 78–68  12–8
(4–3) 		UIC Pavilion (2,080)
Chicago, IL
January 20, 2018
4:00 pm, WADL/ESPN3 		at Detroit W 92–86  13–8
(5–3) 		Calihan Hall (3,257)
Detroit, MI
January 26, 2018
9:00 pm, ESPNU 		at Northern Kentucky W 83–70  14–8
(6–3) 		BB&T Arena (5,362)
Highland Heights, KY
January 28, 2018
2:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Wright State L 51-64  14–9
(6–4) 		Nutter Center (4,491)
Dayton, OH
February 2, 2018
9:00 pm, ESPNU 		UIC L 73-79  14–10
(6–5) 		Athletics Center O'rena (3,182)
Rochester, MI
February 4, 2018
Noon, ESPN3 		IUPUI W 82–74  15–10
(7–5) 		Athletics Center O'rena (2,710)
Rochester, MI
February 9, 2018
9:00 pm, ESPN2 		Detroit W 87–78  16–10
(8–5) 		Athletics Center O'rena (3,664)
Rochester, MI
February 14, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Youngstown State L 73-75  16–11
(8–6) 		Beeghly Center (1,513)
Youngstown, OH
February 16, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		at Cleveland State W 82–66  17–11
(9–6) 		Wolstein Center (1,725)
Cleveland, OH
February 19, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		at IUPUI L 67-74  17–12
(9–7) 		Indiana Farmers Coliseum (1,063)
Indianapolis, IN
February 22, 2018
7:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Green Bay L 90-96  17–13
(9–8) 		Athletics Center O'rena (3,211)
Rochester, MI
February 24, 2018
3:00 pm, WMYD/ESPN3 		Milwaukee W 72–70  18–13
(10–8) 		Athletics Center O'rena (3,508)
Rochester, MI
Horizon League tournament
March 4, 2018
7:30 pm, ESPN3 		(4) vs. (5) IUPUI
Quarterfinals 		W 62–55  19–13
 Little Caesars Arena (6,771)
Detroit, MI
March 5, 2018
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		(4) vs. (8) Cleveland State
Semifinals 		L 43–44  19–14
 Little Caesars Arena (5,398)
Detroit, MI
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time.

Rankings

Main article: 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings

Oakland received 19 points in the preseason Coaches Poll[14] and 2 points in the AP Poll.[15] USA Today named the Golden Grizzlies a team that was "snubbed" by not being ranked in the preseason Top 25.[16]

The team was also ranked No. 5 in the preseason Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25.[17]

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415161718Final
APRVRV———————Not released
CoachesRVRVRV——————
Mid-Major Top 255571513RVRV25—

References

  1. ^ "GOLDENGRIZZLIES.COM :: OAKLAND-CLEVELAND STATE POST GAMES NOTES :: Oakland University Official Athletic Site Oakland University Official Athletic Site :: Men's Basketball". Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "Oakland men's basketball takes 1st Horizon League title, top seed". MLive.com. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  3. ^ "WATCH: Horizon League favorite Oakland loses at buzzer to 20-loss Youngstown State". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  4. ^ "Oakland stuns Clemson in NIT for signature win". Detroit News. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "Oakland's season ends with 87-83 loss at Richmond in NIT". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  6. ^ Bianchi, Nolan; Farrell, Perry A. (August 9, 2017). "Army vet Isaiah Brock leaves Oakland hoops year after becoming eligible". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  7. ^ Watson, Jimmy (August 15, 2017). "LSUS adds former Okla. State, Illinois State transfers". Shreveport Times. Retrieved August 16, 2017.
  8. ^ "HORIZON LEAGUE ANNOUNCES #HLMBB PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM, POLL". horizonleague.org.
  9. ^ "Men's basketball falls to Oakland in hurricane-relief exhibition game".
  10. ^ "Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Official Athletic Site - Men's Basketball". Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
  11. ^ "Oakland University Golden Grizzlies Official Athletic Site - Men's Basketball". www.goldengrizzlies.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2014.
  12. ^ "Golden Grizzlies stats 2017-2018". Archived from the original on December 23, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2017.
  13. ^ "Week 9 schedule for 201718".
  14. ^ "MSU hoops No. 2 in coaches poll; UM, Oakland get votes". Detroit News. October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  15. ^ "2017-18 Men's College Basketball Rankings for Preseason".
  16. ^ Fleming, Joe (October 19, 2017). "Five teams snubbed in the preseason college men's basketball coaches poll". USA Today. Retrieved October 19, 2017.
  17. ^ "Men's Mid-Major Top 25". College Insider. October 30, 2017. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 4, 2017.