The Opener

The new season is underway. The Grizzlies and Cleveland State are in action as I type. I’m presuming all have heard that Derick Nelson has broken his foot and will be out for a month or two. That hurts. In addition, frosh Jay Thames has been redshirted. Wil Hudson was going to join JT, but just checked into the game, so I’m guessing Nelson’s injury may have preempted the redshirt plan.

I’m going to do a semi-live blog. I won’t cover every play, but will update this post through the end of the game.

First Timeout: OU has the early lead, 10-3, over CSU. Erik Kangas has drained a couple of long threes. Keith Benson opened the game with an alley-oop dunk and also has four points. Blake Cushingberry took Nelson’s spot in the starting lineup and fellow freshman Drew Maynard is seeing some early minutes off the bench.

7:18pm, Second TO: Maynard just hit a three to up the lead to 15-5.

7:23pm: Hudson got a couple of hoops and some boards. Doesn’t look like he needed a redshirt, after all. OU is up 19-7.

7:24pm: WDTW broadcast must be close to OU’s bench. I can hear Coach Kampe yelling. Apparently, so did somebody else, as it appears they’ve turned down the mic closest to coach. 19-9, OU.

7:32pm: CSU is mounting a comeback. 20-16, OU, but the Vikes are about to shoot some free throws.

7:34pm: Three OU freshmen on the floor — Matt Samuels, Cushingberry and Maynard.

7:35pm: Yet another media TO. Oakland leads 22-18.

7:45pm: 27-19, Oakland still leads and we’re in another timeout.

7:52pm: 31-24, OU. Only twenty-five seconds left. Yeah, it’s another TO.

7:54pm: It’s the half in Cleveland. Oakland leads 31-24. Overall, I think OU has been aggressive. Benson’s probably my first half star. Kangas has been strong and the freshmen have generally been solid. Hudson’s also given Kampe strong minutes off the bench.

8:10pm: Another Benson dunk to start the half. Didn’t OU start last year with that play, as well? In fact, didn’t they start a number of games with attempted alley-oop dunks?

8:12pm: Benson gets another hoop, 35-30, OU.

8:16pm: 41-34, OU after another Maynard trey.

8:18pm: Kangas hits a 3 coming out of the TO, 44-34.

8:19pm: Benson’s heading to the foul line after the latest media time out. It’s no wonder non-basketball people only watch the last two minutes. There are just way too many breaks in the action. On a happier note, the Grizzlies still lead, 44-36.

8:21pm: Benson hits the pair. He’s also getting close to a double-double tonight.

8:27pm: 46-40, Oakland’s holding on. Jonathon Jones has been a bit too aggressive this half, in my opinion.

8:29pm: Another media timeout, but the score remains the same, 46-40. This is the point where the Grizzlies need somebody to take control. JJ? Kangas? Benson? One of the freshmen?

8:36pm: 9:07 left and Maynard fouls out.

8:37pm: 48-44 Oakland continues to lead.

8:41pm: Here come the Vikings. 48-46, OU.

8:43pm: 50-49, OU. The Grizzlies have the ball and called a timeout. That 12 point lead was a long, long time ago.

8:54pm: 58-55, CSU, yes, CSU, leads with just over a minute left. If the Vikings hold on, this is a bad loss.

8:57pm: 37 seconds left. CSU is still leading 58-55.

8:59pm: Now, sixteen ticks left on the clock. OU has the ball, but CSU leads 58-55. Could use Maynard as Plan B, but he’s fouled out. Got to think Kangas is going to shoot.

9:00pm: It’s over. Cleveland State prevails, 58-55. Nobody in black and gold could make big plays down the stretch, so they lose the opener.

Oakland begins the new season 0-1.  CSU is the Horizon League favorite, so a loss, especially in their barn, is hardly surprising.  Toss in the loss of Nelson and you couldn’t blame anyone for penciling in a “L” on the schedule next to this one.  Yet, in hindsight, I can’t help but feel this is a game OU should have won.

Now, it’s onto Eugene, Oregon where the Ducks are looking to avenge last year’s loss to the Grizzlies.  It’s going to be a very hostile environment and a motivated squad on the other side.  It’s a 10:00pm tip Monday night.  I’ll warn you now, I won’t be live blogging along with that one.  I won’t be registering my thoughts any earlier than Tuesday evening.

Good night everybody and go Grizzlies!

Tags: Erik Kangas, Keith Benson, Wil Hudson, Blake Cushingberry, Drew Maynard