On The Horizon

Jim Squire

State hoops: Kid Chips, without leading scorer, still making some noise--Detroit News

Food for thought
Oakland wasn't rubbing it in. The Golden Grizzlies were grubbing it in.
With the shot clock off and Oakland leading comfortably, 79-63, against Horizon League foe Green Bay at the O'Rena on Saturday, the Golden Grizzlies opted to go for more. With just five seconds left, Jalen Moore tossed an alley-oop to Osei Price, who slammed it down — sending the home crowd into a frenzy, but also understandably ticking off third-year Green Bay coach Will Ryan (the son of legendary Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan).
Oakland coach Greg Kampe was quick to walk over and apologize to Ryan. He explained to him that Oakland fans in attendance, including students, get free Buddy's pizza every time Oakland hits 80 points.
"And he said, 'Do I get free pizza?'" Kampe said.
As a matter of fact, yes. In a nice gesture following Oakland's 81-65 win (Green Bay got two technical free throws after the dunk), Kampe had two large pepperoni pizzas and cheese bread delivered to Ryan's staff meeting Tuesday.
By the way, the free Buddy's every time Oakland hits 80 isn't simply a slice. It's a small personal pizza.
"For those students," said Kampe, "that pizza means something."
So, yes, Moore, the Horizon League player of the week after averaging 21 points and 6.5 assists in his return from an ankle injury as Oakland got back into the Horizon League race having also beaten Milwaukee, was plenty aware of the score as the seconds ticked down.
No regrets, in other words.
"Yup," he texted The News. "Got to make the fans happy!"
Slam dunks
∎Here's your weekly update on Detroit Mercy senior guard Antoine Davis: He's now seventh all-time on the scoring list, at 3,103 points. There's a chance he could move into the top with this weekend's two games. He needs 48 points to pass Doug McDermott, and 63 to pass Alphonso Ford.