Rochester, Mich. - After two exhibition games, Oakland prepares to gear up for the 2023-24 season as they head to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes.

It was a tale of two games for Oakland in their exhibition games against Walsh and Wayne State. Struggling in the first game against Walsh, Oakland fell in their season opener, despite a strong 22-point performance from junior Trey Townsend. Oakland was outplayed and lacked intensity on the defensive end, and despite making a late comeback, they couldn't overcome 12 Walsh three-pointers (12-30 3FG, .400 3FG%). 

In exhibition number two against Wayne State, Oakland did a complete 180 and showed the intensity they were missing in game one. With the return of veteran leader Blake Lampman, the offense looked much more fluid as four Golden Grizzlies scored in double digits, including double-doubles for junior DQ Cole and Townsend. Graduate student Jack Gohlke also showed he isn't scared to let it go from deep, shooting 11-29 (.379 3FG%) from beyond the arc in the two games.

Oakland saw flashes of good things to come from a ton of players. Their guard play looks to be getting deeper as junior Tone Hunter, senior Rocket Watts, and junior Osei Price all put in quality minutes during exhibition play. In the second game where Oakland ran more man-to-man defense than usual, the backcourt put immense ball pressure on opposing guards, creating steals and deflections, which also led to an increase in transition opportunities. This could be a look we see more often this season as Oakland has struggled with injury early in the season. Freshman Zavier Banks and redshirt freshman Cooper Craggs are out for the near future, while Lampman and junior Aundre Polk both missed an exhibition game due to injury.

On the wings the Golden Grizzlies are filling out the lineup. Townsend enters the season as the number one option offensively, but others like sophomore Isaiah Jones showed potential. Jones created some good looks offensively against Wayne State, including a dagger dunk to put the game away. Cole also looks to be Oakland's Swiss army knife, a player who showed he can impact the game on the boards, on the defensive end, as a scorer, and as a distributor. Cole snagged 15 rebounds and 20 points combined in exhibition play while being a catalyst on both sides of the ball.

With many new players and a mix of veterans, Oakland will have a learning curve to start the season, but they will look to get hot at the right time as they gel together and progress through the season. With their first conference game not coming until Nov. 29 against Detroit Mercy, Oakland has eight games to find their identity.

SCOUTING THE BUCKEYES

The Buckeyes played one exhibition game, beating Dayton 78-70 on Oct. 22. Ohio State is looking to start clean after finishing last season second to last in the Big Ten. Their overall record was just below .500 (16-19), but a 5-15 conference record doomed their season doomed their hopes for a tournament bid.

Headlining the Buckeyes roster is Minnesota transfer Jamison Battle, who was named to Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Preseason Watch List prior to the start of the season. Battle averages of 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game and has made 257 triples in just 103 games played. The 6'7 Fifth year forward scored 15 points on an efficient 6-7 shooting from the floor in their lone exhibition.

This cross-conference matchup will go down on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. in Columbus.

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