Went over to Oakland University tonight to see them play IUPUI (EIEIO) at the "O"rena. It was an impressive win for the Grizzlies especially considering they did it mainly without the services of Kito Benson (foul trouble) and Larry Wright (?). This was the team they had to beat for the Conference championship to get into the NCAA last year and I was expecting a tougher challenge than what I saw. Oakland won easy 85-71 and made the Grizz Gang (student section) happy for going over the 80 point mark as the students all received coupons for a 3.99 Medium Hungry Howies pizza. The real show tonight was the fact that the Grizzlies were Golden from beyond the arc. In the first half it was the Reggie Hamilton show as he hit 5 threes and had 18 at half and finished 7-8 from beyond the arc for a game high 28 points. In the second half it was the Travis Bader show as he hit 4 threes from the far left corner that were all net en route to 18 total points. He was 5-8 from three point land. The Grizz were an incredible 65% from behind the arc. I have to say I was most impressed with Bader. This red shirt freshman from Okemos will have a nice career here at OU. He is a 6'4" 2 guard who handles the ball surprisingly well and can move quicker than expected through traffic. He knows his limitations on the court and plays within his game and skill set. He has a real nice stroke and played almost the entire game - you can see him playing with a lot of confidence and is not afraid to knock down the long ball. In addition, he can get to the glass and board a bit. He had 6 rebounds in this game. I like this kid's game.
If you came to see Benson and Wright - you did not see much. Benson was in foul trouble early and picked up his fourth at the 15 minute mark of the second half. In addition, he looked slow and sluggish on the defensive side of the ball tonight but fortunately it did not hurt them. Hudson picked up the slack well down low and Drew Valentine played decent and contributed double digit points. For some reason though, this guy just looks and plays very awkward on the basketball court. Not sure why Wright wasn't playing, he was on the bench and did not look hurt but I suspect there was something wrong with him. I will have to get my OU spies out to investigate this for me. He is a component on this team that they will need. They also got a scare in this game when Eackles went down with what appeared to be a very bad ankle injury. Fortunately he came back and saw the court for the last few minutes. If this team stays healthy and gets their bench healthy (I swear there were more players inactive or hurt on the bench than reserve players - Petros, Lucas-Perry, Cushingberry, Sikora) there is no reason why they should not win the conference again and a championship. I will be very surprised if they lose more than 2 games the rest of the way. I have to give credit to Kampe as he is securing talent, getting the most out of his talent and developing talent for the next level. This team, and Kampe's sideline antics (that is why my wife goes to the games to see him jump up and down and yell) are entertaining to watch. Oh, by the way, the quickest kid on this team is Ryan Bass the freshman from Dayton Dunbar in Ohio. He doesn't get a lot of playing time but when he is on the floor watch how quick this kid is.
Michigan once again faded in the second half of last nights game with Wisconsin and after taking a lead into halftime ended up losing by 16. Although they have some nice freshman talent, their youth and inexperience continues to show. They play undisciplined at times and take some ill advised or untimely shots. They are learning and will continue to take some more lumps along the way. They will be lucky to finish middle of the pack in the Big Ten this year. After playing number #24 Wisconsin it doesn't get any easier as they host #3 Kansas this Sunday and then welcome in #2 Ohio State on Wednesday. Expect two big losses but if they were able to muster up an upset it would be a big boost for this young ball club.
Lets talk about UCF - WHO? - Yes UCF - University of Central Florida located in Orlando (where one of my good friends son attended for a few years before he realized that he couldn't get a degree if he didn't go to classes - sorry Zeke) and currently ranked in the top 25, in fact I believe they are ranked #20 in one poll. This team is currently 14-0 with two nice wins over Florida and Miami (would be even more impressive if it was football wins) but they play in the very weak Conference USA. Even though I do not think they are a top 25 team or deserving of that ranking this team could stay there for a while. Their only threat is Memphis, who they get on 1/26. They are known for the team with Michael Jordan's son. Sophomore guard, Marcus Jordan is their leading scorer averaging 18 a game. But what people don't know is that there are two Michigan products on this team and both are contributing. Tom Herzog, yes you read that right, the same Tom Herzog (7 footer from Flint Powers) that played at Michigan State and reminds me of Dr. Seuss, is averaging 20 minutes a game. They also have Freshman Isaah Sykes from Detroit Denby that is playing about 17 minutes a game. This team will get more ink as will their coach - Donnie Jones - who is known for recruiting talent and turning programs around. He sure has made a nice first impression on the Knight following.
University of Detroit won over Loyola tonight 83-71 and Freshman Ray McCallum continues to play well. He led the team in assists tonight with 6 and was second highest scorer with 16.
Boy does Xavier miss Jordan Crawford (another Detroit product). Xavier is off to an uncharacteristic 9-6 start and lost again tonight to a top 25 team, Cincinnati by 20. They were only able to score 46 points, heck I think Crawford had a couple of individual games last year that he went for more than this, well...maybe not...but close. Also absent from this team this yer is pure shooter Brad Redford who tore up his knee before the start of the real season. They could surely have used his outside shooting abilities to help this team this year.
Connecticut lost again - in a close one - to a top ranked team - Notre Dame but it serves to show that I feel this team is good but overrated. Once again Walker took 25 shots in the game. They will lose again to Texas on Saturday.
High School Update
Saw tonight where Saginaw destroyed Saginaw Arthur Hill (80-54) at Saginaw Valley State but the game was marred by a brawl in the stands where 6 people were taken into custody. These games have always and will continue to be intense and prideful contests not only for the players but for the fans and frustrated old jocks that are still trying to relive their past. Now this fight was started by young adults and kids but I have been to some of these games and let me tell you, the senior adults get just as passionate and heated at these games. They had 3500 people there tonight for a high school game. Got to love the following and passion but lets not let it spill over into real life feuds. As I suspected Saginaw won easily and is clearly the better team. Do not see much in SAH other than a gutsy, give it everything he's got player in Lydell Simon and Junior prospect Jordan Hare. Unfortunately that will never be able to compete with the athleticism and depth that Saginaw has this year.
Saw Taylor Perry (Jr - committed to Western Michigan) again this week in a blow out win over a pathetic Andover team. He looks solid and looked stronger and better than the game I saw a week earlier but the competition was nothing in this game either. He continues to go to the hole hard, was able to score both inside and outside (did not take a lot of shots) rebounded well again but still missed four penetrating layups or short distance shots. Has to improve at finishing around the basket.
I live one town over from Troy and have yet to see James Young play this year. Saw him twice last year as a freshman and in summer ball and was very impressed with his build, strength and ability to score. He had another big scoring night last game out with 31. This sophomore could be a real good one. Will get to a game of his soon.
Thanks to the Bank Hoops site and my buddy Double B - informed me that Matt Costello will not be playing in the game tomorrow night against SAH as he was ejected from his prior game and now has to sit out. Without him playing I am not going to make the trip. I will catch him in another good contest somewhere along the way.
Some Ohio hoops of interest for this Friday. My buddy Mannix is going to the game and will provide me with a report to get out to anyone interested. They game is between Medina and Strongsville of Cleveland. Medina features the #1 rated Power forward in the Junior class in the state of Ohio. He is 6'7" Kenny Kaminski who has already committed to Michigan State. Strongsville counters with the #1 rated power forward for the state of Ohio for the Senior class, Aaron White. White will be playing at Iowa next year. Wish I could be there to see this talent but will rely on my main man Mannix to deliver the scoop.
Got to hit the sack. That's it for now. Your Basketball Snob
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