ROCHESTER, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies come into the 2024-25 season with a new look, and with their eyes set on a deep Horizon League Championship run.

Oakland's roster is revamped, with 10 new faces donning the black and gold this season. The squad was able to pick up several key players who will make an immediate impact via the transfer portal. Senior Dani Grimm, who spent her previous pair of seasons at Mercyhurst University, is one of the top additions. A 2023-24 PSAC West First Team member, she brings scoring versatility and tenacious rebounding ability at the guard position. 

Another new addition is sophomore low-post presence Kylie Buckley, who played a prominent roll at the University of Niagara last season as a freshman. Senior guard Macy Smith also looks to be positioned for a key role as a lead guard after transferring in from Utah State. Redshirt freshman Madi Rendall, junior double-double machine Maya Mitchell, and sharpshooting sophomore point guard Cali Denson also join the black and gold.

There are still some huge returning impact players for Oakland as well. The team's fourth leading scorer, Maddy Skorupski, returns for her junior season looking to build on a great sophomore campaign. Skorupski was top ten in steals per game (1.8) last season, and with her projected as one of the lead guards on the squad, the already impressive 9.3 points per game and .358 three point percentage marks are sure to jump.

Long-range specialist Jasmine "Jazzy" Dupree-Hebert also looks to take a leap this season. Her .406 percentage from long range last season led the team. She could also be due for an increase in volume this season as she continues to improve.

Defensive specialist and lone returning senior Madison Royal-Davis will be a key leader for a team whose relentless defense was their trademark last season. 

Also returning is center Lianna Baxter. After not playing in 2023-24 due to injury, Baxter is a full-go and will bring a new dimension to Oakland's offense with her ability to play in the post and stretch the floor with her shooting ability. A center rotation of Baxter, Buckley, and freshman Sereniti Roberts-Adams, who has impressed early, could smell trouble for the league on the boards after the Golden Grizzlies ranked third in rebounds (36.3 rpg) and first first in offensive rebounds per game (14.8) last season.

The upgraded size and athleticism of Oakland's team compared to last season is notable on the court, specifically at the guard and wing positions. With guards like freshman Jaidyn Elam, Smith, Rendall, and Naveyah "Naz" Damon who all stand around 6'0, the length at the point of attack nd on the wings is going to unlock another element on both sides of the ball for a team that was already the third-best scoring offense in the conference last season, while ranking in the top 25 nationally in turnovers forced per game (21st, 20.07) and turnover margin (16th, 5.28).

Oakland will also be back under the lead of Head Coach Jeff Tungate, who returns to the helm after missing the majority of the season after a back procedure. The Golden Grizzlies aim to play hard and fast this season under Tungate, returning to their hard-nosed, blue collar style.

The Golden Grizzlies have an exhibition tune-up with Rochester Christian University on Oct. 26, before starting the season off with a test against Michigan State at the Breslin Center.