Rochester, Mich - Basketball season is officially under way! Oakland is set to play Walsh University in their first exhibition of the year on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m at the O'rena!

The hype to begin the season is through the roof, and Oakland enters this year looking to make a statement.

The Golden Grizzlies come into the season ranked sixth in the #HLMBB Preseason Poll, the same spot they ended last year.

Experience is key for a Golden Grizzlies team looking to surge this season. They of course have Head Coach Greg Kampe, the longest tenure head coach in Division I history, who is entering his 40th year at the helm, but the team is also battle tested. The team only has one true freshman, forward Zavier Banks. With the majority of the roster familiar with the team system and the conference opponents, Oakland has a promising outlook on their upcoming campaign.

Just a few of the key players returning from last season include senior guard Rocket Watts, junior forward Chris Conway, and graduate student guard Blake Lampman.

Watts started in all of his 29 appearances last season, averaging 8.7 points and nearly three rebounds per game. Conway looks to step into an expanded role coming off a solid season where he was Oakland's leading bench scorer, and Lampman looks to reignite from three-point range as he did in the 2022-23 season where he ranked fourth in the Horizon League in 3FG per game (2.4).

Also returning is junior forward Trey Townsend who was named to the #HLMBB Preseason All-League First Team after averaging 16.5 PPG last season and being named All-League Second Team at the conclusion of the season.

SCOUTING THE CAVS

Walsh ended the 2022-23 season atop the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Standings with a 20-9 overall record and a 16-4 conference record.

The Cavs boasted the best defense in their conference, holding opponents to just over 60 PPG, while ranking second in the conference in opponent 3FG% (.315).

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