Side DishesCollege basketball preview: Scouting WMU, CMU, EMU, UDM, Oakland--Detroit Free Press
...
Monday furnished a few exhibitions. Of note: Detroit Mercy-the school’s actual name, and now it wants to be known as such, not as ‘Detroit’-dropped its second straight exhibition to an NCAA Division II school, falling to Ferris State 85-79. Oregon, LSU, North Carolina State and Oakland all won exhibitions handily, while Texas-San Antonio needed a furious rally to top D-II Arkansas Tech 91-89 and South Florida slid past Nova Southeastern (Fla.) 72-64.
Horizon LeagueHLeagueHoops: Top 21 Players Countdown (#’s 10-6)--HLeagueHoops.com
Oakland University
Last season: 23-12, 13-5 in Horizon League, second place.
Key players: F Jalen Hayes, 6-7 redshirt junior; G Martez Walker, 6-6 redshirt junior; G Sherron Dorsey-Walker, 6-4 redshirt senior.
Opener: Friday 7 p.m. vs. Bowling Green.
Schedule highlights: Nov. 23 vs. Nevada at Great Alaska Shootout, Dec. 21 at Michigan State, Dec. 23 vs. Georgia, Jan. 6 at Valparaiso, Jan. 13 vs. Detroit Mercy, Feb. 10 at Detroit Mercy, Feb. 17 vs. Valparaiso.
Overview: For years, the Golden Grizzlies have revolved around a star player, most recently with Kay Felder, who led the nation in assists last year and finished in the top five in scoring. This team was built expecting him to be around for his senior year, but since he left early for the NBA, the Grizzlies will have to adjust. Coach Greg Kampe still has his explosive offensive system but has no natural point guard to take over — Dorsey-Walker probably will start there. Kampe also added two new assistants in the off-season, so there are a lot of changes in Rochester. Despite that, given the head coaching turnover in the league, Oakland should still be competitive for the Horizon title.
IMG_0822
Isaiah Brock at Oakland basketball media day Wednesday (Photo: Chris Nelsen/Special to the Detroit Free Press)
Detroit Mercy
Last season: 16-15, 9-9 Horizon League, sixth place.
Key players: C Jaleel Hogan, 6-6 junior; F Chris Jenkins, 6-8 senior; G Josh McFolley, 6-1 sophomore; G Corey Allen, 6-3 freshman; F Aaron Foster-Smith, 6-7 sophomore; F Gerald Blackshear, 6-8 sophomore; G Dre Black, 6-2 junior.
Season opener: Friday 7 p.m. against Adrian.
Schedule highlights: Nov. 18 at Illinois, Nov. 20 at Florida State, Dec. 17 Western Kentucky, Dec. 3 at Murray State, Jan. 8 at Valpo, Jan. 13 at Oakland.
Overview: First-year coach Bacari Alexander has his work cut out, but he is in it for the long haul. The team didn’t play that well in the exhibition season, losing to Wayne State and Ferris State. The offense is ahead of the defense, but the team hasn’t distinguished itself at either end. Allen has proven he’s the best of the newcomers and isn’t afraid to score. Jenkins should have a big season after averaging 12 points and 5.7 rebounds a year ago, and so will Hogan, who scored 10.5 points per game last season and chipped in 4.2 rebounds. Once Hogan and McFolley get 100% healthy, the Titans should be competitive in the Horizon League, but the schedule the first month of the season is difficult.
Titans Host Special Promotion On Friday to Thank Veterans, Active Military--detroittitans.com
Dec. 23: Georgia at Oakland. Credit Mark Fox for playing this one, too. The Bulldogs’ Yante Maten against the Golden Grizzlies’ Jalen Hayes is a great frontcourt matchup. Honorable mention: Harvard at HoustonOakland hoops preview: Martez Walker gets shot to lead Grizzlies--Detroit Free Press
Men’s basketball wallops Grand Valley in exhibition game--Oakland Post
Men’s basketball preview: New faces, same goal--Oakland Post
Women’s basketball preview: A fun team on the hunt--Oakland Post
Women’s basketball breezes past North Park--UIC News
Wichmann will provide leadership on and off court--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Merriweather and Women's Basketball Team Opens Friday--wsuraiders.com
Interview with John Brannen--The Horizon League
No comments:
Post a Comment