ROCEHSTER, Mich. – Oakland University Men's Basketball will open the new year with yet another Horizon League opponent in Youngstown State University on Saturday, January 1 at 3:00 p.m. with "Voice of the Golden Grizzlies", Neal Ruhl, on the call on ESPN3/+ as well as TheBet 1270AM (WXYT-AM) and the Audacy App.

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INSIDE THE SERIES
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Overall: Oakland leads 19-8 
At Home: 13-2
On the Road: 6-5
Current Streak: Oakland, 4
Last Meeting: W, 87-83 OT (3/2/21)
Series Note: Battle of top Horizon League teams

At 2-0 in Horizon League play, the Penguins of Youngstown State took down both Wisconsin teams, Milwaukee and Green Bay, to put YSU at the top of the league with Oakland in tow. The visitors are coming off a win over NCAA Division III Defiance College 96-56 after taking a loss on the road to West Virginia. 

Under fifth year Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun, the Penguins are coming off a 15-12 season in 2020-21 veteran-newcomer mixed roster with a five game win streak set in December with notable wins over Milwaukee, Green Bay, Central Michigan University, and Canisius University. YSU is led by senior Michael Akuchie with 13.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. 

Oakland looks to continue winning ways in the HL after defeating Robert Morris University at home on Thursday night, 79-61 at Athletics Center O'rena. Jamal Cain scored a double double with 22 points and 14 rebounds as Jalen Moore hit double digit assists again with 10 as the team tallied a season high in assists as a whole with 20. 

Osei Price had his first career start Thursday night as well setting a few career bests with 11 points, five assists, and six rebounds. Blake Lampman also tied a career best with five rebounds which he's done a total of four times now. 

Moore is now third in the nation in assists with 90 total, averaging 7.5 per game while Cain continues to establish himself as one of the best in the country in several categories, most notably the double double statistic of six so far this season which puts him in a tie for 13th nationally. 

The Golden Grizzlies sit 73rd in the NCAA NET Rankings as the only Horizon League team in the top 100. 

Oakland was slated 16th in the December 27th edition of Mid-Major Top 25 Poll as voted on by mid-major tier coaches. The Golden Grizzlies slipped to 16th from 14th in last week's edition.

According to kenpom.com, the Golden Grizzlies have played the 26th toughest schedule in the country based on strength of schedule rating. 

After Saturday the Golden Grizzlies will be in the teeth of Horizon League play as it takes on Detroit Mercy at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5. 


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NOTES

NATIONAL TALENT
Once again, Jamal Cain sees himself in the mix of national attention with the grad student from Pontiac in more than one category. 

Category - Place (Total/Average)
Double Doubles - Tied-13th (6)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game - 13th (7.25)
Offensive Rebounds Per Game - 29th (3.17)
Rebounds Per Game - 9th (10.4)
Total Points - Tied-21st (254)
Minutes Per Game - 15th (36.4)

THIRD HORIZON LEAGUE WIN SECURED
OU took down Robert Morris 79-61 Thursday night to remain unbeaten in the young Horizon League season at Athletics Center O'rena. 

PRICE'S FIRST CAREER START
With 11 points, five assists, and six rebounds to his name, Price's first career start was productive on Thursday night as the freshman from Maryland looks to make his second Saturday versus YSU.

MID-MAJOR SUCCESS
Oakland was slated 16th in the December 27th edition of Mid-Major Top 25 Poll as voted on by mid-major tier coaches. The Golden Grizzlies slipped to 16th from 14th in last week's edition.

BATTLE IN LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Moore tallied a double-double in the team's 90-78 loss to Michigan State University with 25 points and 11 assists to his name as Cain notched his second straight contest with 20 or more points, his sixth overall of the season. The squad shot 43.9% (25-57) from the field as the team faces its first, and albeit short, losing streak of the season at two games. 

AMONG THE GREATS
Jalen Moore sits third in the nation when it comes to helping out his teammates. The junior is third in the country through 12 games tallying 90 assists in total for an average of 7.5 per game. 

CHARITY STRIPE SUCCESS
As a team, OU shoots 30th in the country in free throws going 165-215 (76.7%) as the fourth Horizon League team in the poll behind Wright State University, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Detroit Mercy. 

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LAST FOUR

(vs) Robert Morris, December 30, W 79-61
Cain reached his second-straight game with 20+ points on Thursday night as Horizon League play resumed as the grad student tallied 22 points and 14 rebounds. Moore eclipsed the double digit mark in assists again with 10 as he continues to climb the national assists leaderboard. As a team, Oakland put up 20 assists for a season-high. 

(vs) Michigan State, December 21, L 90-78
Moore notched a double double in the teams loss before the holiday break to Michigan State at Little Caesars Arena with 25 points and 11 assists. Cain continues to prove himself as one of the best in the country with 20 points and six rebounds to his credit, shooting 50% from the field in the process.

(at) Bowling Green, December 7, L 73-72
The Golden Grizzlies had their five game winning streak snapped by the Falcons as Cain once again tallied 21 points to lead the team in the loss as Moore was just behind with 19 and six steals. The dooming stat line for OU were the season-high 22 turnovers that led to 26 points for BGSU. 

(at) IUPUI, December 4, W 78-45
Oakland picked up its second Horizon League win as it forced a season-high 23 turnovers reinforced by a 28-32 record at the free throw line. Trey Townsend had a stellar performance of 14 points (6-9 shooting), seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals.

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BATTLE IN LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Moore tallied a double-double in the team's 90-78 loss to Michigan State University with 25 points and 11 assists to his name as Cain notched his second straight contest with 20 or more points, his sixth overall of the season. The squad shot 43.9% (25-57) from the field as the team faces its first, and albeit short, losing streak of the season at two games. 

FUN IN THE SUN
Oakland secured the Gulf Coast Showcase title with wins over Vermont, Rice, and Delaware. All three of OU's victories were decided by eight points or less. The tournament took place at Hertz Arena in Estero, Fla. and featured eight mid-major teams. The winner of the MTE has advanced to postseason play in six of its eight years of existence.

UPSET IN STILLWATER
The Golden Grizzlies earned a 56-55 victory at Oklahoma State in their second game of the season. Moore scored the final seven points for OU in the win. The upset was Oakland's 12th career win over a Power 5 program.

GOOD TO BE HOME
Oakland rolled past Toledo, 80-59, in its home opener at the Athletics Center O'rena. OU outscored Toledo 49-27 in the second half, which snapped a four-game losing skid to the Rockets. Cain exploded for 29 points, 17 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, while sophomore guard Blake Lampman had a career night, scoring 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting from outside the arc. Moore had a double-double with 17 points and 11 assists. 

GET YOUR TICKETS
Season tickets can be purchased through the Athletics Ticket Office by calling (248) 370-4000 or emailing outickets@oakland.edu. Single-game tickets and mini-plans are also available for the 2021-22 basketball season. Click here for more information.

NEW HOME FOR OAKLAND BASKETBALL
Oakland recently announced a partnership with Audacy that made 97.1 The Ticket HD3 and The Bet 1270AM (WXYT-AM) the official radio providers for the department. With this new partnership, 97.1 The Ticket HD3 and The Bet 1270AM (WXTY-AM) will provide coverage for all Oakland men's basketball games as well as the Greg Kampe Radio Show.

BACK FOR ANOTHER RUN
Kampe enters his 38th season at the helm of the Oakland men's basketball program. He is the third-longest tenured active coach in Division I, only behind Jim Boeheim (Syracuse, 45 seasons) and Mike Krzyzewski (Duke, 41 seasons). Kampe's 650 career wins rank 12th among active Division I coaches.

PUTTING OAKLAND ON THE MAP
Kampe joined Oakland in 1984 after six seasons as an assistant coach at Toledo (1978-1984). Formerly known as the Pioneers, OU had only six winning seasons in 16 years of competition before his arrival.