Grizzlies In April

Seems I posted something last April, so why not keep the pattern intact?  We’ve all heard something about this year’s recruiting class.  Incoming freshmen Jay Thames, Blake Cushingberry and Drew Maynard aren’t quite the Rochester equivalent of Boston’s NBA troika of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, but much has been said about the Grizzlies new faces and expectations are high.

Yet, this spring, I’m wondering how the frosh class is going to fit in?  The problems, from my limited perspective, for Oakland this past season consisted of playing any kind of quality defense, rebounding and passing.  Now, here’s where I could use your assistance.  Will any of the new faces help in those three aspects of the game?

I’m led to believe that Cushingberry and Maynard are perimeter players and Thames falls into the category of lanky frontcount player.   Now, none of these descriptions preclude the possibility that they could all help OU’s defense.  Yet, my first thought when hearing “perimeter player” and “frontcourt player that needs to add weight” isn’t strong defense or rebounding.  Again, not that all three couldn’t provide immediate support in these areas, but that’s not the impression these titles give me.

In addition, finding someone to give Jonathon Jones a breather might be a good thing.  Here, again, none of the new class sound like they are ready-made to fill that role.  Could someone already on the roster fill that void?  Perhaps.

Here’s where my off-season pondering leads me.  While we are all excited about this recruiting class and their potential impact on the program (and, hopefully, the Summit League) the three new players seem to have skill sets similar to what several current Grizzlies have.  Where they fit into the rotation is the question.

Cushingberry, Maynard and Thames would, on the surface, appear to be vying for minutes at either the two or three spot. I guess Thames might be a four, but I’ll leave you to correct me on that.  The issue is that OU already has veterans Erik Kangas and Derick Nelson at the shooting guard and small forward slots.  Both could be on preseason all-conference teams.  Add talented Tim Williams, whose minutes should be on the rise, into the mix at both spots and you’ve got a crowded field.

In fact, even if Thames is more of a low-post presence, OU’s returns Keith Benson, Shane Lawal, Dave Waterstradt and Wil Hudson to compete for minutes at the four and five.  Again, that’s a number of returning players to beat out.

Is it possible that any or all of the freshmen could be talented enough to get significant minutes right out of the gate?  Of course.  Yet, history tells us that freshmen generally don’t do that.

I’m like every other Oakland basketball fan and I’m happy to have a quality recruiting class show up on campus.  I’m looking forward to seeing their OU careers play out.  While I’m confident that OU will have a better, more consistent season next year, I think it might be best to lower our immediate expectations for this incoming class.

Hello, Goodbye

I suspected this might happen.  Now that the holidays have passed, I am going to have to face the fact that my other blog requires my attention.  The same thing happened last year, but as I actually have a few readers here now, I figured I had best just come clean and admit that I won’t be around here much the rest of the season.

Before I give up basketball for baseball, I should toss out a few thoughts.  I’m still disappointed about the Toledo game.  The Oregon win will always be a highlight, but that loss to the Rockets just wasn’t the kind of follow-up I was hoping for.

I’m going not going to get too upset about a one-point triumph at SDSU, as I hear the flight into SD wasn’t very smooth.  I’ll take the road win, even a close one to an inferior opponent. 

Tonight’s game against a much more formidable NDSU squad is big.  Erik Kangas is rumored to be back on the shelf for Saturday’s game.  It’s the shoulder, again.  Hmmm.  Sixty days later and still troublesome, huh?  Is it premature to assume that it’s going to bother him for the rest of the year?

As I won’t be here as regularly the rest of the season, I hope you will continue to check out the message board and The Grizzly Den.  I thank those who have stopped in and, especially, those of you have left comments or found a way to email me.  I sincerely appreciate it.  Rest assured that while I won’t be blogging consistently about OU hoops, I will be paying attention.

I’ll leave you with an OU baseball link of interest.  Rivals.com has issued their Summit League preview.  A couple of Grizzlies get all-conference recognition and while Rivals prediction doesn’t look good, if you read the entire preview you might pick up on a possible Grizzlies’ surprise.  I think OU will indeed surprise and finish much closer to the top of the Summit League. 

Go Grizzlies!

Oakland 68 (#21) Oregon 62

Santa delivered a couple of days early. 

I’m very excited about tonight’s six point victory over Oregon, as I’m sure everyone in Grizzlyland is.  I’ll save all the links and numbers for another time.  Right now is time to celebrate what is arguably the biggest win in the program’s history.

Go Grizzlies!

Uh-Oh

It’s official.  You can pencil me in as concerned.  After Oakland’s less-than-impressive 67-53 win over Rochester College, I’m left with only three conclusions about this Grizzlies team.

1) They can’t play run-and-gun.  For evidence, I refer you to the games against Duquesne, Xavier, UMKC, Southern Utah and Michigan. 

2) The Grizzlies apparently can’t play half-court offense very well, either, as they let a non-DI program hang with them in the O’Rena.  See the aforementioned Rochester College sleeper.

3) Oakland can’t play much defense regardless of what offense they choose to run.  Pick almost any game. 

Harsh?  Yeah, it is.  But, seriously, what other conclusions can we come to? 

I know it’s probably totally unfair to say that the Grizzlies can’t play slow-it-down hoops based on one game.  However, that one game was against Rochester College.  I don’t care if Coach Kampe installed a shotgun offense twenty minutes prior to the tip, OU is much, much better than the lads from the RC. 

Letting RC hang around, and a 14 point win is hanging around, in your own barn is simply a poor performance.  They should have dominated every single facet of the game and the score should have reflected that. 

How in the world can I expect Oakland to beat Oregon or Toledo, for that matter, with a half court offense if they struggle to polish off a vastly inferior Rochester College side? 

If they opt to give up on the half court offense in favor of a return to up-tempo ball, aren’t we looking at another Michigan-like result versus the Ducks?  (Wouldn’t that help recruiting?)

You do see why I’m concerned not only about tomorrow night’s game, but about the rest of the season.  The Grizzlies just seem lost.  I’m so disillusioned, I’ve even begun the search for my “Wait Until Next Year” button.  I haven’t found it yet, but I’m reserving the right to push it at any moment after conference play resumes. 

I’m going to try and regain some hope prior to the Oregon game based on two simple thoughts.  First, anything is possible.  Second, I still believe this team has talent, even if it’s void of chemistry. 

I’ll state the obvious — a win tomorrow night would be huge.  It would increase the program’s visibility (and with the game on an ESPN network, you have to think they will run highlights often), earn OU some credibility, help recruiting and, perhaps, most importantly, it would give the team something positive to build off of. 

One win, even one honkin’ big win, might not give this team an identity, but it sure would help confidence in Grizzlyland right about now.  Go Grizzlies!

Golden Grizzlies Hardball?

During this lull in the OU basketball schedule, I’d like to take an opportunity and talk some Golden Grizzlies baseball. 

Baseball in December?  Yep.  As college baseball’s season begins in February, the pre-season hype commences about this time of the year.  As such, I figure this is a good a time as any to start posting about it.

Oakland has a number of returning players that will vie for all-conference honors.  SS Andrew Stafford (.344/3/40/11 SB), OF Justin Wilson (.350/4/30/12) and OF Dan Ryan (.325/3/25) all had outstanding season in 2007 and more is expected of each of them in ‘08.

The Grizzlies offense could be the best in the conference.  Yes, that’s part homer talk out of me, but OU could swing the bats last year and I would expect more of the same this coming season.

The old axiom in baseball is that you’ll go as far as your pitching carries you and that will most likely be the case for the 2008 Grizzlies.  Matt Trausch and Mike Takashima will anchor a veteran rotation.  The Grizzlies will also look to both freshmen and transfer arms to bolster their staff.

One freshman of note is Jeff Gorecki.  The Orchard Lake St. Mary’s product was one of the top Michigan HS players a year ago and now looks to have the same success in college.

First year head coach John Musachio might have just enough of the right pieces to find Oakland battling for the conference crown.  Just like in hoops, if OU can find a way to capture the conference tournament title, a NCAA berth comes along.

While all of us are optimistic about OU’s basketball future, the baseball program does appear to be on the verge of following suit. 

Here are some links to OU baseball that you might find interesting.

* The annual First Pitch Dinner is being held January 26, 2008.

* Coach Musachio and his staff have been on the recruiting trail, as well.

* A student at Michigan (and blogging ally, Samara) takes tons of photos at each UM game she can get to.  Why is this important?  Because OU plays Michigan every year.  There are some very nice shots of Oakland players, as well.  (Realize she’s a Wolverine and comments are sort of partisan.)

March 25, 2007

March 24, 2007

March 23, 2007

March 26, 2006

* Finally, the Grizzlies 2008 schedule is out.  It’s a bit nasty with notable field trips to Kentucky (I’m guessing they’ll be in the hunt for the SEC title) and Tulane (a college baseball power) plus the usual visits to places like Michigan (which should be in the top 10) and Michigan State (my early underdog choice in the Big Ten).  CMU and WMU might win the MAC and Oral Roberts is good in baseball, too.

Michigan 103 Oakland 87

This game was essentially over at halftime.  OU missed ample opportunities to keep this one close going into the break and the second half was merely a formality. 

The high flying offense Coach Kampe has employed appeared to be just the tonic a struggle Michigan side required.  The Maize and Blue looked bigger, stronger and simply like a much better basketball team.  OU’s up-tempo game seemed to suit them just fine, thank you.

Perhaps, even Coach Kampe has finally seen enough of his up-tempo offense. 

After getting drilled by the Wolverines, Oakland’s head coach was quoted in Paula Pasche’s recap in The Oakland Press as saying:

“So we wanted to get the game at a breakneck speed and breakneck tempo … It was a very poor choice on my part obviously.”

Kampe is showing the first signs of conceding to a point I made quite a while back – running an up-tempo offense, more often than not, leads to poor defense.  Oakland is proving to be no exception to that rule.

Michigan did two things I believe Oakland simply doesn’t do well or at all.  First, the Wolverines could pass the rock.  They hit the open man in transition and, as nearly every OU opponent has this year, they made wonderful interior passes. 

Second, and just as importantly, Michigan finished those plays.  Multiple players hit threes.  The interior plays were completed with lay-ups and dunks. 

I find OU’s lacking in both categories.  They neither pass or finish well.  Collectively, and this strikes me as odd, as they seem athletic enough, is that everything they do seems to be just a step off or behind. 

The questions in Grizzlyland must now be, with a week off until the Rochester College game, will Kampe toss aside the Showtime Grizzlies and install a half court offense?  Will such a move bring about a better defensive result? 

I’m not sure that making a radical change in December is the best plan, but I’m not confident that holding on to a failed scheme is a good idea, either.  Either way, this is certainly not where any of us had hoped the Grizzlies would be so close to the Oregon game.

Onto the rest of the post-game silliness:

* The OP’s Dave Pemberton discusses OU’s style of play.  The definitive quote for me was Coach Kampe’s “We play too fast.” 

* Alas, I did attend this one.  The company was good.  The result was probably the worst case scenario.

* It was my first visit to Crisler and I do see why people think it’s outdated.  Honestly, if OU could fill the building, the O’Rena would have a better atmosphere.

* What’s worse: OU’s half-empty building or Michigan’s half-empty building?

* Big props to the Grizz Gang in section 57.  The small, but vocal group stood for the entire game and did make their presence felt from time-to-time.  Nice work.

* Oakland’s still wearing the Nike test uniforms.  I’m hoping the test ends after this semester.

* Michigan’s Manny Harris was the best player on the floor.  24 points, eight boards and just plain better than everyone.

* My friend secured tickets to last night’s affair a few weeks back.  We sat six rows from the floor.  They were very good seats.  (Michigan’s head baseball coach Rich Maloney sat just a few rows in front of us.)  How can I land better seats at Michigan than I do at OU?

* My weekly note to the OU merchandise people.  I would have worn an Oakland sweatshirt had you provided me with a decent option.  Don’t even get me started on the cap.

* Did you note the amount of press this game got?  More importantly did you notice how much of it focused on the Grizzlies? 

* I’m thinking the Wolverines took all that to heart.

* Derick Nelson was great in the second half.  Nelson finished with 31.  Erik Kangas had 24.

* Deshawn Sims had 22 for Michigan.  Ron Coleman added 13.

* CBS Sportsline recap.

More SUU Post-Mortem

I’m still disgusted at the SUU loss.  To make matters even worse, there’s a hint that OU overlooked the Thunderbirds.  Check out the Detroit News story. 

Can we blame Caputo for this?  Oakland Press columnist Pat Caputo said all kinds of glowing things about the Golden Grizzlies program a few days ago.  Since his article came out, OU has a come-from-ahead overtime win versus UMKC (where they coughed up a 23 point lead) and this stinking loss to Southern Utah. 

It has to be Caputo’s fault.  We all know the media is to blame for everything.

The next game is against Michigan.  I would expect a much better performance from OU in that one.  It would almost have to be.  I’m supposed to be in attendance, so don’t be too surprised if I don’t post anything until the next evening. 

Southern Utah @ Oakland

It’s 33 -32, SUU at the half.  Yes, it’s fair to ask where OU’s up-tempo offense is.

It’s now 39 - 37, Oakland.  I’m semi-live blogging while listening online to WXOU.

The Thunderbirds are now up, 40 - 39.  One blogger is not happy.

72 - 63 and SUU grabs another rebound. 

Timeout with the score tied at 46 each.  13 minutes left to play. 

50 - 46, for SUU.  Uh, the T-Birds are 1 - 7.   Hello, Grizzlies.

Any sign of OU’s big men? 

55 - 53, Golden Grizzlies.  It’s all Derick Nelson and Erik Kangas tonight.

62 - 57, SUU.  Time to panic.

The boys on ‘XOU make a good point.  If OU is bigger than SUU, why not just pound the ball into the post?  Oh, that’s right.  The Grizzlies play up-tempo offense, not half-court.  (Losing brings about sarcasm.)

T-Birds now up seven points.  This would be a terrible loss.  Play some defense, Grizzlies.  Grab a rebound, as well.

Only six and a half minutes left.  Still SUU dominating the boards.

Now, it’s an eleven point lead.

70 - 61, T-Birds.  Kangas is about to shoot free throws.  No sign of the Grizzlies up-tempo offense or anyone able to rebound for OU.

4:30 left, the Grizzlies trail by seven.

Oakland cannot play half-court offense tonight.  They are standing around waiting for three point shots.

2:47 left with SUU up 70 - 63. 

72 - 63, T-Birds. The fans are leaving.  Shane Lawal fouls out. 

75- 63, SUU.

75 - 68, Southern Utah is going to the line.

77 - 68, JJ turns the ball over and fouls the T-Birds’ player. 

79 - 68, it’s all but over.  Awful.  Just awful.

80 - 73 with thirty seconds left. 

8.5 seconds remain.  It’s still 80 - 73.

Clock problems have delayed in the inevitable.

82 - 73, Southern Utah beats Oakland.  A shameful performance on your home floor.  Disappointment and disgust now, perhaps links to recaps later.   

More From Last Night

As I was trying to get some kind of recap out last night before I went to bed, I did leave a few items out.  Here are a some other things I’d like to mention.

* Correction from my recap: OU led by as many as 23 not 21, if the newspaper today was correct.  (Which, frankly, I’m not all that confident about.  No two reports list the same stats.  It’s shameful coverage.  What are they, bloggers?)  Knowing the Grizzlies blew an even larger lead doesn’t make it any better, does it?

* I’m not sure, but I may have sat in the same seat I did for the EMU game.  What are the odds of that?

* I liked the pre-game video of Coach Kampe giving a pep talk to the Grizz mascot.  The chest bump between the two of them was a nice touch.  Kudos to Coack Kampe for playing along and those who came up with the idea.

* What’s up with the concession stand selling OU apparel?  A smattering of caps and did anything say “Oakland Basketball”?  Is it that difficult to stock a basic sweatshirt from Nike, Reebok or supplier du jour with OU Basketball on it?  And why can’t I buy a cap similar to what the baseball Grizzlies wear? 

A basic interlocking OU (without the Grizz – not that I object to the logo) on a black cap should be a staple item.  Every other university appears to stock such an item why doesn’t Oakland?

Needless to say, but I’ll say it anyway, it’s been a disappointing selection thus far.  Do I really have to make a trip out to the bookstore during the day to browse their selection of merchandise?  (If this is what The Grizz store carried, I can guess why it’s gone.)

* The ugly uniform tops continue to be worn.  Please retire these already.

* I thought the refs let the boys play, for the most part.  Plenty of contact from both sides went uncalled.  Did anyone else note that a number of UMKC players ended up down on the floor? 

* Dane Brumagin is still hitting threes somewhere.  Brian Gettinger can shoot the ball, too.  It appears the ‘Roos live by the three and die by the three.

* UMKC might be pretty good next year.  Only two seniors on the roster.  Brumagin and Gettinger are juniors and Reggie Hamilton, who also had a nice game, is a freshman. 

* OU will finish the year at UMKC.  Hopefully, Brumagin and Gettinger will be tired of shooting by then.

* Remember when I cautioned everyone about the downside of playing an up-tempo offense?  It’s starting to look like Oakland is going to live up to my theory that that run-and-gun offense almost always leads to poor defense. 

* I love OU’s shot blocking.  Who doesn’t?  It’s loads of fun.  I suspect the Golden Grizzlies could finish the season in the top ten in the nation in rejections, but when all your low post defenders think about is sending the ball back from whence it came, you get players out of position. 

This has led the Grizzlies to give up far too many offensive rebounds, commit ticky-tack fouls (after buying pump fakes and landing on the opposition or hitting arms as opposed to basketballs) and not playing solid defense, in general.  I don’t want to say I told you so, but …..

* Another thing I don’t like about up-tempo ball is that frenetic play often leads to equally frenetic decision making.  It leads to stretches of painfully horrible hoops.  OU is not immune.

* What are the odds of the guy participating in the halftime shooting contest to be wearing a UMKC shirt?  Yes, I know.  Better than the odds of it happening when Southern Utah is at the O’Rena.

* Keith Benson was terrific Thursday.  A double - double.  Blocked a few shots, too.  I thought OU was at it’s best when Benson, Shane Lawal, Derick Nelson, Erik Kangas and Jonathon Jones were on the floor. 

* Tim Williams also looked very good vs. the Kangaroos.  (Love that nickname, by the way.)  Williams is just a smooth offensive player. 

* I know prior to last night, a number of people thought OU could beat Michigan next Wednesday.  I still think they can, but can they defend the three well enough?  Can the bigs stay out of foul trouble?   

* The OU administration can rest easy.  I probably won’t be at the SUU game Saturday.  I can’t come back afterwards and complain here about the pizza, or anything else, if I stay home.  Of course, there’s always radio coverage to harp on. 

* Good to see Kangas get back into the starting lineup and, more importantly, back into the flow of the offense.  His jumper looked much better and he didn’t seem to pay quite as much attention to his shoulder.  All good signs.

Oakland 114 UMKC 105, OT

It’s late and I’ve tried writing a recap three different times and tossed all three versions.  Here’s the short version: Oakland played rather well and got out to a 21 point lead before UMKC came storming back to tie the game at 95 - 95 and force overtime.

In the OT, the Golden Grizzlies got clutch free throw shooting from Derick Nelson and Jonathon Jones to help secure the first conference win of the year.

The final results might have been different had UMKC’s Dane Brumagin not fouled out just seconds before regulation ended.  Brumagin did his best Larry Bird impression and hit countless three point shots (actually, seven in total) and finished the game with 40 points.  He was unbelievable. 

(Note to the rest of the Summit League: Brumagin can shoot and has better hops than you think.  In fact, the entire UMKC side can shoot the rock.)

OU got plenty of strong offensive performances, as you might expect posting 114 points.  Nelson (a career best 31 points), Erik Kangas (22), Tim Williams (17), Keith Benson (17 with 13 boards) and Jones (13 and 13 assists) were all good.

OU had one really good half, one not so good half and a better than average OT.  They also ran into an incredibly hot shooter.  I doubt they will see anybody that on fire the rest of the year, especially from beyond the arc.

There was plenty to like — the big lead, the shot blocking, the even offensive distribution — and more than enough — like coughing up a 21 point lead at home — to give Coach Kampe to yell about in practice.  (Might I suggest practicing against a zone defense?)

Anyway, that’s all for tonight.  I went to the game and really need to get some sleep.  Southern Utah visits The O on Saturday.  Go Grizzlies!

Here’s the recapcourtesy of CBS Sportsline.