Rochester, Mich. - After a bumpy start to their league schedule, Oakland goes back out of conference to face Central Michigan on Saturday.

Looking to snap a two-game skid, the Golden Grizzlies are still shaping their identity early in the season, adapting to the many changes and adversity they have seen thus far.

With four rotation players being new to the team as off-season transfer acquisitions, along with the changes with the coaching staff, the Golden Grizzlies are using this time as an opportunity to better themselves for the long haul.

"I'm still getting my feet wet as the head coach of this program a little. There's going to be a bit of adversity, but we're all buying in and fixing the little things," said Acting Head Coach Deanna Richard after Oakland's loss to Detroit Mercy. "It's fixable. We are not worried whatsoever, we just have to make sure that everyone is on the same page".

Offensively, this season has been a roller-coaster for the Golden Grizzlies, switching between league-high performances and nights where they struggle from the field. In their most recent game against Detroit Mercy, Oakland found ways to attack the paint and draw fouls, a specialty of this season's team as they rank second in the Horizon League in total FTA (164). 

The quick guards of Oakland, especially the speedy duo of Brooke Quarles-Daniels and Markyia McCormick, are elite when it comes to putting pressure on defenses and getting into the paint. With sharp-shooting wings like Linda Van Schaik, Alexis Johnson, and Maddy Skorupski who can consistently knock down open triples, it is only a matter of time before the team collectively finds a rhythm.

One thing that Oakland has excelled at in almost every game, despite a few losses, has been their defense. Oakland's swarming full court pressure has branded them as a ferocious unit.

Oakland leads the Horizon League in steals (90) and steals per game (12.86) by a wide margin, with the next closest team being Cleveland State who has 74 steals (9.35 steals per game). The Golden Grizzlies create turnovers in bunches, having forced the most in the Horizon League (164) and have a turnover margin of 7.14, almost three turnovers more than the next closest team.

Getting these steals and forcing turnovers has in many ways been the offensive catalyst for Oakland, scoring in transition often. Even if the fastbreak opportunities close up on the break, Oakland plays in space and with numbers often to gain an advantage.

The all-time series between the Chippewas and the Golden Grizzlies is deadlocked at eight wins a piece. Oakland has won the previous two matchups, most recently a 71-60 home victory nearly a year ago to date, on Nov. 12, 2022.

SCOUTING THE CHIPPEWAS

Central Michigan is off to a 1-5 start to the season. Coming into the game on a three-game losing streak, their last win dates back to Nov. 14 where they beat Concordia 80-57 in Mount Pleasant. 

The injury bug has bitten the Chippewas early on. In their last game, a 73-65 home loss to Indiana State, Central Michigan only had seven available players.

Sophomore forward Madisen Wardell leads the charge offensively for Central Michigan, averaging 12.5 PPG. Her ability to over-power her opponents in the paint is something that will be at the top of Oakland's scouting report.

Catch this in-state hoops matchup this Saturday, Dec. 9, at 2 p.m. at the OU Credit Union O'rena.

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