OU Men's Basketball Releases Non-Conference Schedule

ROCHESTER, MI —The Oakland University men's basketball team released its 2021-22 non-conference schedule on Tuesday. The slate includes nine games, though just one at home. OU will play four teams that reached the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

Golden Grizzlies head coach Greg Kampe, who is entering his 38th season, said he is excited about the non-conference schedule, though it is a bit short on home games.

"I am happy with this schedule, but I think we need to figure out a way to get more home non-league games in the future while continuing the quality of opponents. It is something I have to work on, but it does not change how excited I am for this non-conference slate," Kampe said. "I think we are going to be very battle-tested by the time we reach January."

OU will have 11 Horizon League home games this year, which is one more than usual because the league is expanding to a 22-game this season. That schedule will be released at a later date.

The Grizzlies will open the season on Nov. 9 at West Virginia. Kampe and Mountaineers coach Bob Huggins have a combined 1,544 career wins.

West Virginia beat Oakland 76-71 when the teams last met during the 2012-13 season.

Three days later, OU faces another Big 12 school when it travels to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State. The Cowboys beat the Grizzlies last year 84-71, in a contest Oakland trailed by just one at halftime.

On Nov. 17, Oakland plays its only non-conference home game when the Toledo Rockets come to down. That is followed by a trip to Alabama on Nov. 19.

During Thanksgiving week, Oakland heads to Estero, Florida, for the Gulf Coast Showcase. The eight-team tournament takes place Nov. 22-24 and each team will play three games. OU opens up against Vermont on Nov. 22, and will face Evansville or Rice in the second round. The tournament also features Akron, Fordham, Appalachian State and Delaware.

OU's next contest is Dec. 7 at Bowling Green before what has become an annual matchup with in-state rival Michigan State. This year's contest between the Grizzlies and Spartans takes place Dec. 21 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

OU and MSU have met for 10 straight years, and it will be the 20th overall meeting between the programs.

The Golden Grizzlies went 12-18 last year, but junior guard Jalen Moore (team-high 17.9 ppg in 2020-21), junior guard Zion Young (7.8 ppg) and forwards Micah Parrish (8.8 ppg) and Trey Townsend (8.4 ppg), both second-year freshmen, return. Oakland will add talented Marquette transfer and Pontiac native Jamal Cain, who is a forward.

For interesting in getting information about season tickets should call (248) 370-4000 or visit the Athletics Ticket Office during normal working hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.