Kampe and Golden Grizzlies Not Deterred By Tough Matchups to Start

Oakland University's men's basketball team will play two roles this year – that of the hunter and that of the hunted.

That's because the Golden Grizzlies will compete in two distinct seasons. While there is always a nonconference part of any Division 1 team's schedule, OU will take that first half of the schedule to an extreme this year.

Even Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo would be hesitant to schedule this difficult of a nonconference slate. The Golden Grizzlies will battle seven programs from the traditional power conferences before Christmas, with six of those games being on the road and one at a neutral site. In those games Oakland will be hunting for victories against as many as six ranked opponents.

The conference schedule kicks off in style December 30. Then, Oakland will be the hunted as the Golden Grizzlies are the defending regular season and tournament champions and have been widely tabbed by numerous preseason publications as the clear favorite in 2010-11.

It adds up to an audacious challenge for head coach Greg Kampe in his 27th year at the helm at OU. But Kampe is not changing his strategy for scheduling any time soon.

"It helps in every aspect of our program except for wins and losses," Kampe said. "When you look at recruiting, finances, exposure, (Oakland's name) scrolling across ESPN on television it's all good. Some coaches don't do it because you'll lose more games. But I am fortunate to have great job security here. I won't change anything."

The nonconference schedule includes games at West Virginia, Purdue, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio State and Michigan. It also includes a neutral site game against Michigan State on December 11 at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Spartans and West Virginia were both in the Final Four last year. Tennessee lost to Michigan State in the regional final by a single point. Michigan State, Purdue and Ohio State should all be top 5-10 teams heading into the season, and West Virginia, Tennessee and Illinois will likely also be ranked.

"We'll probably be playing at least six teams who will be ranked this year," Kampe said.

The Golden Grizzlies have some past successes to show off against big-conference competition. Oakland beat Oregon in consecutive seasons following a run of NCAA appearances the Ducks had under former head coach Ernie Kent. Oakland also defeated Texas A&M, Northwestern and Michigan in recent years. Two years ago Oakland gave eventual national runner-up Michigan State a scare into the final minute in East Lansing.

Kampe is confident his team could have more success this season.

"Last year we were a man-to-man (defensive) team and had a dribble-drive offense," Kampe said. "That was good for our team but not as good of a matchup when we faced really (athletic) teams."

This year Kampe anticipates using a matchup zone at times, which will allow Oakland to vary things defensively against top nonconference opponents.

Oakland will also compete in the Chicago Invitational Challenge in late November following a difficult road game in Dayton, Ohio at Wright State.

Part of Kampe's thinking this season in developing a difficult schedule is that he wanted to give star center Keith Benson, a probable NBA draft pick next year, an opportunity to shine against top competition for NBA scouts. Seniors Will Hudson and Larry Wright also have a chance to play professionally.

"Part of the idea in putting together the schedule we did was having Keith in mind," Kampe said.