Oakland Opens Season at Cleveland State

Nov. 15, 2008

ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Oakland University men's basketball team will begin a nine-game road swing this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at preseason Horizon League favorite Cleveland State. The game can be heard on OU's flagship station WDTW (1310 AM) with Mario Impemba on the call. It can also be followed via live stats and free video on www.ougrizzlies.com.

The Golden Grizzlies are one of the preseason favorites to contend for The Summit League championship, along with Oral Roberts and North Dakota State. OU did receive some bad news on Friday as senior All-Summit League first team player Derick Nelson (17.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg) will be out 4-8 weeks with a foot injury.

The Grizzlies will still have four returning starters on the floor; Johnathon Jones (14.9 ppg, 6.0 apg), Erik Kangas (14.3 ppg, 3.51 3-ptrs. per game), Dan Waterstradt (5.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg) and Keith Benson (5.2 ppg, 40 blocks). Sophomore Will Hudson (3.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg) also returns to the lineup, after playing in all 31 games last year and making two starts.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Derick Nelson: Forward; 6' 5"; Senior

#4 Will Hudson: Forward; 6' 9"; Sophomore

#23 Johnathon Jones: Guard; 5' 11"; Junior

#30 Erik Kangas: Guard; 6' 3"; Senior

#34 Keith Benson: Center; 6' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#45 Dan Waterstradt: Center; 6' 10"; Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

#1 Derick Nelson
: 6' 5"; Senior
: Forward

#4 Will Hudson
: 6' 9"; Sophomore
: Forward

#23 Johnathon Jones
: 5' 11"; Junior
: Guard

#30 Erik Kangas
: 6' 3"; Senior
: Guard

#34 Keith Benson
: 6' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: Center

#45 Dan Waterstradt
: 6' 10"; Redshirt Senior
: Center