ROCHESTER, Mich. – For the second week in a row, Oakland University Men's Basketball will travel for its next Horizon League games starting with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Thursday, January 20 for an 8:00 p.m. tip off on ESPN+.
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INSIDE THE SERIES
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Overall: Oakland, 11-8
At Home: 6-3
On the Road: 5-5
Current Streak: Oakland, 1
Last Meeting: W, 86-65 (1/9/22)
Series Note: OU hopes to follow up a dominating performance in the last meeting
Since the team's first meeting with the Panthers on January 9 in a 86-65 win, Milwaukee has gone 1-1 in conference play in the UWM Panther Arena with a 81-77 loss to University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) and a 89-54 win over Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) to improve to 6-12 overall, 4-5 in the Horizon League.
DeAndre Gholston still leads the team in points per game with an average of 16.1 per contest while Patrick Baldwin Jr. holds an average of 13.4. Baldwin also has a team high rebounding average of 6.8 per game while Jordan Lathon tallies 3.4 assists per game. As a team, Milwaukee leads the Horizon League in opponent field goal shooting percentage of 39.6% through 18 games.
Milwaukee Head Coach Pat Baldwin was named to his position in 2017 after four seasons as an assistant coach at Northwestern University. In the 2020-21 campaign, Baldwin led the Panthers to a Horizon League Men's Basketball Tournament Semi-Final appearance against Cleveland State, the team's first semi-final appearance since his first season.
Jamal Cain is the team's leader in both scoring (19.8 ppg) and rebounding (9.5 rpg), respectively as he's credited in a tie for total steals on the team with Jalen Moore at 30.
Moore is still first in the nation in assists per game with 8.1 for a total of 130 through his 16 games played. This naturally leads the league and puts him six assists ahead of Yuri Collins of Saint Louis. Moore also averages 15.3 points per game and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Trey Townsend hit back-to-back 40 minute games in last week's wins over CSU and PFW as the Oxford native now has a scoring average of 15.2 per game after a 20-point performance against the Vikings on Thursday. Blake Lampman has a team-high 39.3% (35-89) three-point shooting percentage while Micah Parrish averages 10.5 points per game and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Oakland is now 2-3 when losing at halftime thanks to the come-from-behind win over Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday as the team now shoots 45.1% (461-1022) from the field, 20.5% (123-417) from the three point line, and 77.8% (238-306) from the free throw line.
OU is tied for 19th in the NCAA in free throw shooting as a team with a 77.8% (238-306) percentage as the third best Horizon League team behind Detroit Mercy and Purdue Fort Wayne.
Townsend is first in the Horizon League in field goal percentage with 55.2% (106-192) while ranking fourth in blocked shots with a total of 21 through 17 games. Townsend and Moore are also first and second in the league in minutes played as they each average 38 and 37.9 minutes per game, respectively. Cain is third in scoring in the league with 19.8 points per game while leading the Horizon League in rebounds with 9.5 per game.
The Golden Grizzlies sit 71st (previously 69th) in the NCAA NET Rankings as the only Horizon League team in the top 100, 68 spots ahead of the next closest conference member, Cleveland State in 139th.
In the NCAA RPI, Oakland 34th following the weekend wins over the Vikings and Mastodons.
Oakland was 12th in the January 17rd edition of Mid-Major Top 25 Poll as voted on by mid-major tier coaches. The Golden Grizzlies were 15th in the last poll on January 10.
According to kenpom.com, the Golden Grizzlies have played the 96th toughest schedule in the country based on strength of schedule rating with the 8th toughest out of conference strength of schedule rating. Oakland is now 97th overall in the Kenpom rankings after last week's wins over Cleveland State and Purdue Fort Wayne.
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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-19th (7)
Defensive Rebounds Per Game - 26th (6.69)
Rebounds Per Game - 23rd (9.5)
Total Points - Tied-29th (316)
THE BEST IN THE NATION
Moore is now first in the entire NCAA in assists per game with 8.1 a game and 130 assists total. Moore was previously tied with Yuri Collins of Saint Louis who is now in second place.
UNDEFEATED IN HORIZON LEAGUE PLAY
In what could arguably be the Horizon League game of the year, Oakland took down Cleveland State on the road in the Wolstein Center 70-65 to remain undefeated (6-0) in Horizon League play as the Golden Grizzlies followed it up with a 76-68 win against Purdue Fort Wayne for a 7-0 conference record as the number one team in the Horizon League.
LAMPMAN FOR THREE
Blake Lampman has hit 35 of 89 attempts from range this season for a 39.3% shooting percentage from deep. Lampman drained a career high six three-pointers in Oakland's win over Youngstown State on ten attempts.
MINISTER OF DEFENSE
Parrish has an average of 6.5 rebounds per game to go with 23 steals and three blocks on the defensive side of the court in his 15 active games. Offensively, Parrish has a scoring average of 10.5 points per game, shooting 43.5% (50-115) from the field and 30.9 (17-55) from range.
PRICE'S FIRST CAREER STARTS
Osei Price is coming off his first two career starts contributing 17 points in the two wins with 13 total rebounds and eight assists. Against Ohio Christian, Price made his third start with five points, four rebounds, three steals, and two blocks.
HORIZON LEAGUE LEADERS
Cain is second in scoring in the Horizon League with 20.9 points per game while holding onto the number one spot in rebounding with 9.9 per game. Moore, naturally, is first in assists through 14 games played with 117 total assists, 42 more than second place. Trey Townsend is currently fourth in blocked shots with 19 total (1.3 per game).
MID-MAJOR SUCCESS
Oakland was slated 12th in the January 17rd edition of the College Insider Mid-Major Top 25 Poll as voted on by mid-major tier coaches. The Golden Grizzlies were 15th in the last poll on January 10.
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.
CHARITY STRIPE SUCCESS
As a team, OU shoots tied for 19th in the country in free throws going 238-306 (77.8%) as the third Horizon League team in the poll behind Detroit Mercy (12th) and Purdue Fort Wayne (13th).
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LAST FOUR
(at) Purdue Fort Wayne, January 15, W 76-68
Oakland was forced to gut out a come-from-behind win against the Mastodons on Saturday, January 15 down 36-30 at the half before Moore sparked a second half takeover with 24 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block to remain undefeated in Horizon League play as Cain recorded 18 points in 18 minutes of action.
(at) Cleveland State, January 13, W 70-65
A 65-60 victory over the Vikings secured Oakland's sixth-straight Horizon League win to claim the top of the conference mantle. Townsend scored 20 points for the fourth time this season as Moore continued to build on his assist legacy with eight. Five total Golden Grizzlies scored in double figures.
(vs) Milwaukee, January 10, W 86-65
Moore finishes his seventh double double performance with 15 points and 14 assists against Horizon League foe Milwaukee as Parrish scored a team-high 19 points, tying a career best, while four other Golden Grizzlies finished in double digit scoring with Cain, Townsend, and Lampman.
(vs) Ohio Christian, January 7, W 108-40
Oakland set a best in points scored in the non-conference match with 108 as the team held its opponent to under 50 points for the second time this season. Townsend and Conway secured double doubles with 26 and 22 points, respectively, while each player nabbed 10 boards a piece.
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A SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHT
Chris Conway's previous career high in points was two points ahead of OU's game with Ohio Christian. The Naperville, Illinois native earned his first career double double with 22 points and ten rebounds as Trey Townsend got his second double double of the year with 26 points (a career high) and 10 rebounds as well. Emmanuel Newsome made his first start of the season Friday as well tallying eight points, five rebounds, and a steal.
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.
