ROCHESTER, Mich. – The Golden Grizzlies men's basketball team is set to face the number one team in the nation, the Purdue Boilermakers inside Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind. Friday evening at 7 p.m. ET. This is the second consecutive season that Oakland has faced the number one team in the country, having played Kansas in 2024.
The Golden Grizzlies (0-1, 0-0 HL) fell, 78-121 to Dusty May's No. 7 Michigan in the Crisler Center Monday evening.
In the team's season opener, Junior Isaac Garrett powered the Golden Grizzlies with 20 points, going 8-for-10 shooting and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line. Fifth-year Tuburu Naivalurua contributed 18 points highlighted by three three-pointers – a career high from the Australian, while adding in two steals. Senior Ziare Wells led the defensive charge against 7-3 Aday Mara and Wolverines with six rebounds and a steal.
Naivalurua was named the Horizon League's Preseason Player of the Year and Preseason All-League First Team after a strong junior campaign. The fifth-year forward returns as the Horizon League's leading scorer at 13.9 points per game. Known for his work on the other side of the ball, the Australia native averaged 7.1 boards per game, totaling 234 rebounds through all 33 games he started. He shot .555 from the field, including 83 made free-throws.
Tip-off in West Lafayette is slated for 7 p.m. ET on Peacock with Chris Vosters (play-by-play) and Robbie Hummel (analyst) on the call. The Voice of the Golden Grizzlies, Neal Ruhl, will be on the radio call on 97.1HD-3/1270am or the Audacy App online.
SCOUTING THE BOILERMAKERS
Purdue opened the 2025-26 season tabbed No. 1 in the AP Preseason Poll for the first time in history, as head coach Matt Painter in his 21st season look at their 12th game all-time at home as the No. 1 ranked team. The Boilermakers added four to their roster, only two freshmen and two transfers including the No. 1 ranked transfer from On3 Rankings, Oscar Cluff. Purdue is led by senior Fletcher Loyer, who will mark a school record 112 consecutive starts tomorrow, as he powered Purdue with 30 points against Evansville on Tuesday.
The opening week match up marks the fourth meeting all-time between Oakland and Purdue. The Boilermakers hold the lead at 3-0 in those matchups, all in West Lafayette: Dec. 2, 2001, Nov. 21, 2010, and Dec. 1, 2020.
How to Follow Oakland Men's Basketball: For complete information on Oakland Men's Basketball follow the team on X at @OaklandMBB and head coach Greg Kampe at @KampeOU. The team is also on Instagram and Facebook.
