Midconfans News 11/17/2006

COLLEGE HOOPS: Oakland to begin hard stretch--The Detroit Free Press

VU has plenty of room for improvement--The Post-Tribune

Looking for an answer--The NWI Times

Kansas Drops UMKC, 66-53--kuathletics.cstv.com

Women’s basketball pulls away from UMKC--The University Daily Kansan

At arm’s length--KUsports.com

Vealy showing potential--The Tulsa World

Eagles turn Jayhawks into believers--The Tulsa World

How the Eagles did it--The Tulsa World

UMKC Opens Road Trip At Central Michigan On Sunday Afternoon--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Falls To Kansas, 66-53--UMKC Kanaroos

Crusaders Look to Start 3-0 at Niagara Saturday--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 11/16/2006

Oral Roberts topples No. 3 Kansas--The Chicago Sun-Times

College Basketball Roundup--The Daily Southtown

Campus notes--deseretnews.com

Southern Utah

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Southern Utah's Steve Barnes has been named the Mid-Continent Conference's Men's Basketball Player of the Week for his performance in last Friday's 76-73 win at Utah. Barnes, a senior guard from Cedar City leading the Thunderbirds with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He also led the team with six rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Oral Roberts Upsets No. 3 Kansas 78-71--MICentral.com

Oral Roberts Stuns No. 3 Kansas 78-71--MICentral.com

Oral Roberts stuns third-ranked Kansas--The Oakland Press

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Marchello Vealy hit his first seven 3-point shots and Oral Roberts stunned No. 3 Kansas, 78-71, Wednesday night.
Vealy, only 1-for-13 in 3-pointers last year as a freshman, was 7-for-8 from behind the arc and finished with 22 points.
Caleb Green added 20 points for the Golden Eagles (1-1), who outplayed the heavily favored Jayhawks from start to finish.
Kansas (1-1) cut its defi cit to 72-69 on Russell Robinson’s free throw with just over one minute left in the game.
But Ken Tutt made Oral Roberts’ 11th 3-pointer for a 75-69 lead and added two free throws with 25 seconds to go. Tutt finished with 12 points.
Kansas trailed by as many as eight points in the second half and never got closer than three. The Jayhawks got 22 points from freshman Darrell Arthur, but were only 11-for-21 from the foul line and consistently missed easy shots.
Julian Wright, a preseason favorite for Big 12 player of the year, blew layups on two consecutive possessions as Kansas tried to take the lead in the second half.

Reversed fortunes for OU women--The Oakland Press

FROM LOCAL REPORTS


MILWAUKEE — Freshman Hanna Reising came off the bench to score 25 points for the Oakland University women’s basketball team.
Unfortunately for the Golden Grizzlies, it still wasn’t enough for a victory.
Kayla Groh and Nicole Soulis each had double-doubles to lead Wisconsin-Green Bay to a 90-68 win over OU in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday.
Just two days after scoring 107 points, OU shot 40 percent from the field.
OU (1-1) senior Nicole Piggott had nine points, nine rebounds and three assists against the Horizon League’s preseason favorite.
Sophomore Jessica Pike hit a jumper with 10:48 left in the game to pull OU within 60-52, but Green Bay responded with a 21-0 run to seal the victory.

OU signs five
Prep standout Carrie Snikkers committed to OU’s basketball program Wednesday morning to begin competing in the 2007-08 season.
Snikkers signed a national letter of intent to join Brittany Carnage (St. Clair), Stacey Farrell (New Haven), Anna Patritto (Howell) and Kirstie Molone (Brighton) for the upcoming recruiting class.
“We’re very excited about this year’s recruits,” OU coach Beckie Francis said. “These players are quality individuals both on and off the court and we think we’ve put together the right mix to fill our needs. All five of these women come from top-caliber high school and AAU programs.”
The 6-foot-4 Snikkers, a candidate Miss Basketball candidate, has helped Hudsonville Unity Christian to a 19-1 record.
Patritto, a four-time all-conference player, will stay in the area after she graduates from Howell High. She was picked as the Kensington Valley Conference MVP this season.

Barlow scores 17 to lead Jaguars past Grenadiers--The Indy Star

Oral Roberts' Vealy helps shoot down No. 3 Kansas--The Indy Star

GAME PREVIEW | UMKC at Kansas women--The Kansas City Star

Second half propels WesterwindsThe Kansas City Star

Valparaiso sways top basketball recruit--The Post-Tribune

Hoosiers blow out Crusaders--The Post-Tribune

Little means a lot for the Crusaders--The NWI Times

Tale of two halves--The NWI Times

Career nights key WIU women--The Peoria Journal Star

Oral Roberts Shocks No. 3 Kansas, 78-71--Kansas Jayhawks

Vealy, Green deadly 1-2 punch--KUsports.com

Jayhawks stung by loss--KUsports.com

Extra Minutes: Oral Roberts 78, Kansas 71--KUsports.com

Keegan: Green has way with KU--KUsports.com

Jayhawks tripped up at home--The Kansas City Star

KANSAS NOTES | Not scared--The Kansas City Star

Five Score in Double-Digits as the Hoosiers Defeat Valparaiso, 85-51--IUHoosiers.com

Hoosiers defeat Valpo 85-51, move to 3-0--IDSnews.com

Groh, Soulis Vault Women's Basketball to 90-68 Win Over Oakland--uwgbathletics.cstv.com

Women's basketball: Groh, Soulis prove double trouble--The Green Bay Press-Gazette

ORU shocks third-ranked Kansas--The Tulsa World

KU's feared front doesn't deter Green--The Tulsa World

ORU Notebook: Measuring stick--The Tulsa World

Gents Finally Arrive in Alaska to face Utah State--GoCentenary.Com

JAGUARS SIGN INDIANAPOLIS-AREA STANDOUT--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

UMKC Cruises To 97-58 Victory Over Baker--UMKC Kangaroos

Marshall Making Impact with Indiana Pacers--OUGrizzlies.com

Oakland Falls to Wisconsin-Green Bay--OUGrizzlies.com

Snikkers Highlights Golden Grizzly Recruiting Class--OUGrizzlies.com

Golden Eagles Stun No. 3 Kansas, 78-71--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Crusaders Sign Second Player to National Letter of Intent--www.valpo.edu

Crusaders Defeated at Indiana Wednesday Night--www.valpo.edu

Crusaders Host Northern Arizona Friday Night in Home Opener--www.valpo.edu

Leathernecks travel to Miami for Florida International Invitational--Western Illinois Athletics

Westerwinds gain first win of the 2006-07 season, with 81-47 win over Hannibal-LaGrange--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/15/2006

Campus notes--deseretnews.com

Oakland women at Wis.-Green Bay--The Oakland Press

When: 8 tonight
Where: Phoenix Sports Center
Records: OU 1-0; Green Bay 0-1
Overview: The Golden Grizzlies are looking to continue the momentum they picked up with Monday's 107-40 season-opening victory over Marygrove College. ... Green Bay took a 74-72 win over OU in last season's meeting. ... OU senior Nicole Piggott needs just nine points to reach 1,000 for her career. ... Green Bay, picked first in the Horizon League's preseason poll, suffered a 72-67 loss at Kansas State on Friday.
Up next: OU women at Florida State, 1 p.m., Sunday
-- CRYSTOL EVOLA

Baker at UMKCThe Kansas City Star

Another Big Ten team awaits Crusader women's basketball--The Post-Tribune

Crusaders have another Big Ten test--The NWI Times

T-Birds improve on perfect start--The Spectrum

Centenary pulls out win over Texas State--The Shreveport Times

Southern Utah tops Denver--The Salt Lake Tribune

Turek Named Women's Basketball Player of the Week--www.mid-con.com

Southern Utah Upends Pioneers, 74-68--Denver Pioneers

Poor shooting ruins DU's home debut--The Denver Post

Southern Utah 74, Denver 68--The Rocky Mountain News

Bobcats come up short on the road--The San Marcos Record

IUPUI Tops Huskies 73-67, despite 27-point effort from Stephanie Raymond--Northern Illinois Athletics

Huskies tumble at home--The Daily Chronicle

Lady Tigers Win Home Opener 73-48 Over Centenary--Jackson State Athletics

Self's ties with ORU unbroken--The Tulsa World

Ladies Fall to Jackson State, 73-48--GoCentenary.Com

Gents Never Trail in 91-85 Win Over Texas State--GoCentenary.Com

AGS PICK UP UNINSPIRING WIN OVER IU SOUTHEAST, 74-59--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

JAGUARS WIN OPENER AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS, 73-67--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Kangaroos Return To The Court On Wednesday Against Baker--UMKC Kangaroos

Men’s Basketball Signs Three Recruits--OUGrizzlies.com

Men's Basketball Visits No. 3 Kansas Wednesday; Game Live in Tulsa on Cox Ch. 78--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Women's Basketball Game Time Changed for Saturday--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Turek Receives Conference Honor--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

2006-07 Mid-Continent Conference Players of the Week--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Thunderbirds Win At Denver, Go 2-0 For First Time Since '94--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Thunderbirds Visit Boise State--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Thomas wraps-up early signing period with addition of top-25 prospect--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/14/2006

COLLEGE BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHTS:--The Chicago Sun-Times

VALPARAISO 75, INDIANA-PURDUE-FORT WAYNE 67: Shawn Huff scored 21 points, and Urule Igbavboa added 17 points and 12 rebounds to carry the Crusaders (1-0) past the Mastodons (0-1) in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Campus notes--deseretnews.com

Southern Utah

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Southern Utah's men's basketball team plays the second game in a three-game season-opening road stretch today when the Thunderbirds take on the University of Denver. The Thunderbirds (1-0) opened the season last Friday with a 76-73 win at Utah. Denver (0-1) is also playing its second game of the season. The Thunderbirds then travel to Boise for a Saturday night date with Boise State University before returning to Cedar City to host Idaho on Nov. 22.

HONORS: Southern Utah's Steve Barnes has been named the Mid-Continent Conference's Men's Basketball Player of the Week for his performance in last Friday's 76-73 win at Utah. Barnes, a senior guard from Cedar City leading the Thunderbirds with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. He also led the team with six rebounds, five assists and two steals.

OU women roll to victory against overmatched foe--The Oakland Press

By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press


ROCHESTER — After about three minutes of action, a question if the Oakland University women’s basketball team would win its season opener no longer remained.
The only thing that left a small crowd in suspense: How many points would OU manage to score?
The Golden Grizzlies dominated every aspect of play en route to a 107-40 seasonopening win over Marygrove College on Monday at the Oakland Athletics Center.
That’s the kind of outcome you see when a team fresh off an NCAA tournament appearance faces an independent member or the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.
Needless to say, lopsided matchup would be an understatement.
No wonder these two teams only about 30 minutes apart have only played once.
“We liked that we didn’t lose our intensity even though we had a lead,” OU coach Beckie Francis said. “In the past, if we’d play a team where we would get a big lead like that, sometimes we could get sloppy or (think) ‘Oh well, let’s just get the game over,’ but everybody was hungry. They were still diving on the floor for loose balls.”
With no disrespect to Marygrove (0-1), the Grizzlies did put together an impressive performance despite the lower competition level.
The Grizzlies hustled for 53 rebounds, 13 steals and five blocks as a team. They recorded a whopping 32 assists on 45 field goals. “That was an amazing number of assists,” OU sophomore Jessica Pike said. “That was really good, unselfish basketball.” It wasn’t like OU tried to run up the score. The bench produced 49 points and 22 rebounds. Freshman Hanna Reising led that bench performance with 14 points in her college debut.
“She plays like an upperclassman already,” Francis said. “She has great poise and composure.”
Despite the more than convincing win, OU just fell short of several single-game school records. The school mark for points (112), field goals (48), assists (39) and rebounds (70) remained safe.
OU took a 18-4 lead in the opening six minutes and never looked back.
Reising scored seven points to highlight OU’s 25-2 run late in the opening half that contributed to a 40-point edge.
Pike scored seven points to kick-start OU’s 24-7 run that opened up the second half of action.
Pike finished with 19 points and three assists and senior forward Nicole Piggott added 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals with no turnovers in 31 minutes of play.
“A lot more focus goes into this type of game,” Pike said. “You can’t lose your intensity at all or have any slippage. If you don’t, you do what we did tonight.”

Freshman makes splashThe Kansas City Star

Shawn Huff answers for the Crusaders each time IPFW makes a run in road game--The Post-Tribune

Mastodons undone by fouls, free throws--The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

No-win situation--The Fort Wayne News Sentinel

Valpo gets well vs. IPFW--The NWI Times

T-Birds hope to avoid letdown--The Spectrum

Gents eye Mid-Con's upper tier--The Shreveport Times

SUU's Barnes Named Player of the Week--www.mid-con.com

Hunter Leads Rams to Season Opening Win--The Rocky Mountain Collegian

Women's Basketball Travels to Jackson State Tuesday--GoCentenary.Com

Gents Host Texas State in Home Opener--GoCentenary.Com

Kangaroos Win Season Opener Over FAU, 85-70--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Women Fall 89-72 To Colorado State--UMKC Kangaroos

Golden Grizzlies Open Regular Season With Sound 107-40 Victory--OUGrizzlies.com

Men's Basketball Visits No. 3 Kansas Wednesday; Game Live in Tulsa on Cox Ch. 78--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Thunderbirds Play Second Of Three Season-Opening Road Games--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

2006-07 Mid-Continent Conference Players of the Week--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Thomas wraps-up early signing period with addition of top-25 prospect--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/13/2006

Solving riddle in nick of time--The Chicago Tribune/span>

College Basketball Roundup--The Daily Southtown

Loyola 77, IUPUI 73

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Blake Schilb scored 14 points, including a 3-pointer with 59 seconds left that put Loyola ahead to stay,in the third-place game at the BCA Classic.

Majak Kou scored 23 points and J.R. Blount had 14 for Loyola (2-1), which trailed 42-35 at the half in spite of shooting 64 percent from the field.
...
Western Illinois 72, Upper Iowa 64

MACOMB, Ill. -- Sammy Hunter scored 18 points to lead Western Illinois over Upper Iowa in the season opener for both teams.

Jerryck Owens-Murrey scored 15 points for Western Illinois, and David Jackson added 14.

Oakland knocks off Green Bay Men's HOOPS--The Detroit Free Press

Marygrove College at OU women--The Oakland Press

— CRYSTAL EVOLA

When: 7 tonight Where: Oakland Athletics Center
Broadcast:
www.ougrizzlies. com
Records:
Marygrove 1-0; OU 0-0
Overview: Sophomore Jessica Pike (Clawson) and senior Nicole Piggott each scored 16 points to help lift OU to an 81-54 exhibition victory over Western Ontario last week. ... The Golden Grizzlies head into their season opener looking to fill big offensive voids created by the graduation of guards Anne Hafeli (Bloomfield Hills Lahser) and Jayme Wilson, who combined for approximately 45 percent of OU’s offense. Piggott is one of three starters back from last season’s squad that made a second NCAA Tournament appearance. Piggott averaged 12.8 points and 5.6 rebounds as a junior. ... Point guard Rikka Terava is expected to be sidelined because of a stress fracture in her leg. ... OU has six newcomers for the 2006-07 season, including Charlese Greer, a junior transfer and a Pontiac Northern graduate. According to OU’s on-line record book, this is the first time the two teams will meet.
Up next: OU at Wisconsin-Green Bay, 8 p.m., Wednesday.

Grizzlies to be tested by schedule--The Oakland Press

By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press


ROCHESTER — With good reason, the challenging nonconference schedule Oakland University put together for its men’s basketball team has received a lot of attention.
Likewise, the women’s team deserves equal recognition for its though schedule that is loaded with big-named programs.
Before jumping into that frying pan, however, the Golden Grizzlies will get a mild test when they kick off the 2006-07 season against Marygrove College at 7 p.m. today at the Oakland Athletics Center.
It gets tougher from there.
While OU men’s coach Greg Kampe set up road meetings with top-notch teams including Michigan State, UMass, Cincinnati, Arkansas, UCLA, Marquette and Northeastern, the women have done their share to try to jump into college basketball’s national spotlight.
The OU women await difficult road contests with teams like Wisconsin-Green Bay, Florida State, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green, Auburn, West Virginia and for the first time ever — drum roll, please — UConn.
No, that’s not a typo.
The Grizzlies will travel to Connecticut to face the Huskies, who have won five national championships under longtime coach Geno Auriemma.
UConn has won the Big East regular-season title 14 times and has captured 13 tournament titles to earn top billing in the conference’s ’06-’07 preseason poll.
“There’s a lot of excitement,” OU sophomore guard Jessica Pike said. “We have four games against ranked teams in the nation. It’s probably one of the best schedules Oakland’s played in a while.”
Here’s a look at some of the credentials of which other OU opponents boast:
Wisconsin-Green Bay, picked first in the Horizon League preseason poll, returns all five starters from last season’s team that made an WNIT appearance. Florida State, which went 20-10 last season en route to a fourth-straight NCAA tournament appearance. EMU was picked to repeat as Mid-American Conference West Division champions. Bowling Green was picked to lead the MAC’s East Division. West Virginia returns all five starters from a team that made a surprise run in the Big East tournament.
Auburn, a member of the prestigious SEC that features sophomore guard DeWanna Bonner, who played on the USA Basketball under-20 National Team.
“I believe Kampe and I both have the same strategy on this,” OU women’s coach Beckie Francis said, “we went out and we tried to schedule extremely tough non-league games in hopes that it will prepare us for our conference season.”
More specifically, the conference tournament part of the season.
The winner of the Mid-Con tourney earns an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
The Grizzlies made tournament runs and enjoyed being part of March Madness in 2002 and 2006.
Still, the Grizzlies were picked sixth in the Mid-Continent Conference preseason poll.
They will look to fill the void created by the graduation of a pair of OU career scoring leaders, Anne Hafeli (Bloomfield Hills Lahser) and Jayme Wilson.
Francis will open up the season with a veteran starting lineup in hopes of making up for the approximately 45 percent of offense that was lost with Hafeli’s and Wilson’s departure.
Senior guard Joya Puryear, Pike (Clawson), senior forward Nicole Piggott, sophomore guard April Kidd and senior guard Bonnie Baker are all slated to start tonight. Piggott leads the returning cast. She averaged 12.8 points and 5.6 rebounds last season.
“They know our system so well and they’ve just come off a championship,” Francis said. “I think they deserve it. We have some very nice incoming players and we’re very deep. Almost anyone could start, but those five are playing very well together. We’ll see how it goes.”

OU whips Horizon League contender, UWGB--The Oakland Press

By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press

ROCHESTER — It was one of those games that could have slipped out of reach.
Not this time.
Oakland University reaped the benefits of having a veteran starting lineup that displayed tough defensive hustle en route to a 74-57 win over Wisconsin-Green Bay in non-conference action at the Oakland Athletics Center.
“It was the first Division I team that we played and we knew that we had to come out of the gates strong and make a statement,” OU senior forward Vova Severovas said. “That was a perfect game to do it, against a strong conference favorite.” Mission accomplished. Though it’s only the second game of the season, it was a significant victory for OU. For starters, Green Bay was picked to finish second in the Horizon League’s preseason poll. Not to mention, it proved to be a nice send off for a Grizzlies team that will not play at home again until Dec. 2.
And finally, it was a must-win kind of game considering OU will face teams like UMass, Michigan State, Northeastern and Pitt before returning home next month.
“This was a very important game for Oakland University,” coach Greg Kampe said. “One, to find out if we can play at the level that a championship team plays at. And two, we don’t have many left at our level now.
“We’re going to be playing the big boys now for a month, two months. We needed to get this win to go into those games feeling good about ourselves.”
Sophomore guard Erik Kangas hit three, 3-pointers to help ignite OU during its 18-2 run to open the game.
The Grizzlies never seemed to look back, as they enjoyed a 20-point cushion throughout a bulk of the game.
Severovas shot 14-for-15 from the free throw line to help lead OU’s offensive effort, scoring 13 of his gamehigh 22 points in the second half.
“We really tried to get Vova the ball in the second half,” Kampe said. “He did great job at the free-throw line.”
Severovas added nine rebounds and three steals to fuel OU’s defensive effort.
The Grizzlies hustled for 31 rebounds and 11 steals compared to Green Bay’s four.
OU scored 27 points off turnovers compared to Green Bay’s 10. Green Bay shot just 9-for-23 from the fi eld in the first half and created a dozen turnovers, as OU cruised to a 41-23 lead at the break.
“I really thought defensively, since we made the move to Division I era (starting in 1997-98),” Kampe said, “I will tell you that the first half is the best half of defense that an Oakland team’s played.”
Senior Rick Billings added 12 points, six rebounds and two steals for OU (2-0).
Senior guard Ryan Evanochko led Green Bay (0-1) with 21 points and six rebounds.
Terry Evans made two free throws with 12:14 left in the second half to pull Green Bay within 12, but that’s the closest the gap closed down the stretch.
OU 74, UWGreen Bay 57
The game:
Erik Kangas’ shooting gave the Grizzlies (2-0) an early lead they’d never relinquish. Up next: OU vs. UMass, CAA Basketball Classic at Pitt, Friday, 2 p.m.

Jaguars lose to Loyola; Hill out 8-12 weeks--The Indy Star

Kangaroos start season hoping to bounce backThe Kansas City Star

Florida Atlantic at UMKC--The Kansas City Star

Western downs Upper Iowa in opener--The Macomb Journal

Loyd: Beware of Mastodons--The Post-Tribune

Drew looking for improvement--The NWI Times

WIU men win opener; women fall to Drake--The Peoria Journal Star

Hodson inks four hoopsters during early signing period--The Spectrum

Men's basketball: Phoenix gets off to sluggish start--The Green Bay Press-Gazette

IUPUI CAN'T HANG ON AS LOYOLA ESCAPES WITH 77-73 WIN AT BCA CLASSIC--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

IUPUI BASKETBALL TEAM ADDS BACKCOURT DUO FOR 2007-08--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

UMKC Women Look To Continue Winning Ways At Colorado State--UMKC Kangaroos

Hot Start Carries Oakland Past UW-Green Bay--OUGrizzlies.com

Women's Basketball Opens Season Tonight Against Marygrove--OUGrizzlies.com

Thunderbirds Play Second Of Three Season-Opening Road Games--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

11/12/06: T-Birds Defeat Utes Play-by-Play #1--KSUU News/Podcasts

11/12/06: T-Birds Defeat Utes Play-by-Play #2--KSUU News/Podcasts

11/12/06: T-Birds Defeat Utes Play-by-Play #3--KSUU News/Podcasts

11/12/06: T-Birds Defeat Utes Post Game Interview--KSUU News/Podcasts

Crusaders Try to Make It Two in a Row Monday in Fort Wayne--www.valpo.edu

Tickets Available for Valpo-Ohio State--www.valpo.edu

Crusaders Set to Face Second Straight Big Ten Opponent as Valpo Travels to Indiana Wednesday--www.valpo.edu

Leathernecks defeat Upper Iowa 72-64 in regular season opener--Western Illinois Athletics

Women's basketball to open home portion of 2006-07 schedule against Hannibal-LaGrange--Western Illinois Athletics

Western falls to Drake 79-45 in first game of the 2006-07 season--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/12/2006

Wisconsin-Green Bay at OU men's basketball--The Oakland Press/span>

When: 5 tonight
Where: Oakland Athletics Center
Broadcast: WXOU
Records: Green Bay (0-0); OU (1-0)
Overview: OU heads into this matchup after Friday's convincing 81-42 win over Division III Defiance College. Sophomore guard Erik Kangas made his third career start and finished with a game-high 19 points, including 6-for-8 from 3-point range. Freshman point guard Johnathon Jones had nine points and two assists in his college debut. Sophomore Derick Nelson had 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals off the bench... This will be OU's last game at home until Dec. 2 when the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee comes into town... Greed Bay, which was picked second in the Horizon League preseason poll, has not played OU since 1976, and has won both meetings, all-time... Green Bay returns five of its starters from last season, including Ryan Evanochio, who averaged 15.8 points.
Up next: OU vs. UMass in the Colonial Athletic Assoc. Classic, 2 pm, Friday, in Pittsburgh.
---- CRYSTAL EVOLA

Jaguars upended in BCA Classic--The Indy Star

Valparaiso hardly satisfied despite winning big in opener--The Post-Tribune

Crusaders hold off Calumet--The NWI Times

T-Birds savor big win--The Spectrum

SUU women fall in opener at Oregon State--The Spectrum

Starr's double-double not enough for Gents--The Shreveport Times

Wilkins shines but Ladies drop opener--The Shreveport Times

Women's: Golden Eagles soar to victory in opener--The Tulsa World

Wilkins Scores Career High, Ladies Fall to UTPA in Opener--GoCentenary.Com

TCU Hangs on to Down Gents 72-66--GoCentenary.Com

TURNOVERS DOOM JAGUARS IN 81-74 LOSS TO KENT STATE AT BCA CLASSIC--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

UMKC Set To Open Regular Season Vs. Florida Atlantic On Monday Night At Municipal--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Women Rout Northern Colorado 71-46 In Season Opener--UMKC Kangaroos

Turek Leads ORU Past North Dakota State, 82-67--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Valpo Opens Regular Season With Win Over Calumet--www.valpo.edu

Western Illinois tips-off regular season with match-up against Upper Iowa, Sunday--Western Illinois Athletics

Women's basketball gets set to start the 2006-07 season on the road at Drake--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/10/2006

Campus Notes--deseretnews.com

Southern Utah

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Southern Utah women's basketball coach Steve Hodson announced Friday the signing of four players to natonal letters of intent. Two are Utah all-state prep athletes: Jamie Sagers, a 6-5 senior post player at Orem High School, and Caitlyn Sears, a 5-11 senior guard/forward from Cedar Hills' Lone Peak High School. SUU also signed Kaila Goff, a 5-7 senior guard from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nev., and Challis Pascucci, a 6-3 senior forward Agua Fria High School in Goodyear, Ariz.

T-Birds 'dumb' enough to outgun Utes in Salt Lake--deseretnews.com

Thunderbirds shoot lights out in big upset victory over Utes--deseretnews.com

Season-opening shocker: Southern Utah stuns Utes--deseretnews.com

ROUNDUP: Oakland rolls, 81-42--The Detroit Free Press

OU has no trouble finding scoring--The Oakland Press

By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press

Kangas has five treys in third start for OU, as Grizzlies win openers
ROCHESTER — Losing last season’s scoring leader looked to be a non-issue for the Oakland University men’s basketball team on Friday.
The Golden Grizzlies received double-digit scoring from three of its players en route to a 81-42, season-opening win over Defi ance College before an announced crowd of 1,691 at the Oakland Athletics Center.
Sophomore guard Erik Kangas led the way with 5-for-8 shooting from behind the 3-point arc to fi nish with a game-high 19 points and help OU win its season opener for the fi rst time since 2003.
Expect to see more games like this from Kangas this season.
“It’s not new to me,” senior guard Rick Billings said of Kangas’ shooting. “I see it every day in practice. I don’t know if a lot of people understand the extent to where he can shoot the ball. When he misses, that’s new to me.”
Kangas single-handedly racked up more 3s than the Yellow Jackets could muster as a full squad (4-for-17) in a lop-sided game that featured the overmatched Division III team from Ohio.
Kangas made the most of OU coach Greg Kampe giving him his third career start.
“They’re looking for a big year out of me,” Kangas said. “Kampe put me in the starting role, so I’m going to need to knock down some shots this year. If we want to be successful. It feels good that I was able to do it in the fi rst game.”
OU (1-0) had too many weapons for Defi ance (0-1) to contain, as the Grizzlies were able to enjoy the luxury of subbing all of their bench players into the game as early as the first half.
The Grizzlies had nine of 11 players score at least one point.
Sophomore forward Derick Nelson came off the bench to have 18 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals to help OU’s cause.
OU used a well-balanced offensive attack to jump out to a 26-8 lead in the opening 14 minutes to bury the Yellow Jackets for good.
Billings added 12 points, six rebounds and four steals for the Grizzlies.
This was OU’s first regularseason game, and the first without Calvin Wooten, last year’s leading scorer, lost to academic ineligibility.
It didn’t matter in the end.
“From my standpoint, I was very pleased with the effort that we gave and the way we played,” said Kampe, who’s in his 23rd season. “We only dress 11 guys and all 11 got to play a lot and they played extremely hard one through 11, so I was pleased.”
Defiance didn’t hit the 20-point plateau until the second half was already four minutes old and OU had 50 points on the scoreboard.
Sophomore center Anthony Pettaway scored 10 of his team-high 12 points in the first half for Defiance.
Defiance shot just 30 percent from the fi eld compared to OU’s 50.8 percent night.
“For the first night out I was very pleased the way we went about our business,” Kampe said. “With who we’ve got coming up and the teams looking down the line here, we need to play like this. We need to play with that level of intensity.”

Jaguars win opener in BCA--The Indy Star

Western passes exhibition testThe Macomb Journal

Poor start sinks Valpo in opener--The Post-Tribune

Crusaders fall on their face--The NWI Times

Now it counts for Crusaders--The NWI Times

Start with a shocker--The Spectrum

SUU women seek right floor combos--The Spectrum

Centenary Ladies open season with new attitude--The Shreveport Times

Southern Utah stuns Utes in season opener--The Salt Lake Tribune

Women: North Dakota State at ORU--The Tulsa World

LMU 68, ORU 65: Lions slip by Eagles--The Tulsa World

SOUTHLAND BASKETBALL ROUNDUP--The LA Times

Loyola Marymount 68, Oral Roberts 65 — Matthew Knight had 23 points and Brandon Worthy scored 19 to lead the host Lions in the season opener for both schools. Ken Tutt of Oral Roberts led all scorers with 26 points.

Ladies Host Texas Pan American in Season Opener--GoCentenary.Com

Gents Open Season Saturday at TCU--GoCentenary.Com

DEFENSE REVS UP AS JAGS ROLL OVER ALABAMA A&M, 86-47--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

It's For Real Now: UMKC Opens Regular Season Saturday At Home Against Northern Colorado--UMKC Kangaroos

Oakland Blows Past Defiance in Basketball Season Opener--OUGrizzlies.com

Golden Eagles Drop Season Opener at Loyola Marymount, 68-65--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

ORU Set to Host Bison in Season Opener--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Thunderbirds Overcome Sluggish Start, Upset Utah--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

T-BIRDS SIGN FOUR PREPSTERS TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Crusaders Kick Off Regular Season At ARC Versus Calumet--www.valpo.edu

Slow Start Dooms Valpo in Season Opener--www.valpo.edu

Women's basketball gets set to start the 2006-07 season on the road at Drake--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/10/2006

Capsules of other area teams--The Chicago Tribune/span>

Western Illinois
2005-06: 7-21, 3-13 in Mid Continent
Coach: Derek Thomas (21-63)
The skinny: The fourth-year coach hopes the return of four of last year's top five scorers will lead to better fortunes—especially in close games. The Leathernecks lost 10 games by 10 or fewer points last winter.
Jack McCarthy
...
Valparaiso
2005-06: 17-12, 8-8 in Mid-Continent
Coach: Homer Drew (555-347)
The skinny: Homer Drew, the country's ninth-winningest active coach, has one returning starter. Junior point guard Jarryd Loyd had 20 starts in 27 appearances and averaged 5.4 points. Three-point threat Shawn Huff averaged 7.5 points and four rebounds but missed half of last season with injuries.
Jack McCarthy

Utes, SUU open basketball season tonight--deseretnews.com

OU's Francis wants a jewel of a season--The Detroit Free Press

Kampe anxious to get season started--The Oakland Press

By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press


Finally.
That’s how Oakland University men’s basketball coach Greg Kampe feels about getting a chance to officially start the 2005-06 season.
The Golden Grizzlies will kick off the non-conference portion of their schedule against Defiance College at 7 tonight at the Oakland Athletics Center.
“It’s about time,” Kampe said. “With the exhibition games in Canada (in September), it seems like it’s taken a long time to get here.”
OU better enjoy its short stay at home.
OU has just two home games this month. The challenge increases considering the Grizzlies will face teams like UMass, Cincinnati and Michigan State while being away from the cozy comforts of Rochester until Dec. 2.
Though it’s still extremely early, senior center Shawn Hopes thinks this team is ready for any challenge it faces.
“We’re more together this year,” Hopes said. “Everybody’s come a lot closer. That has helped contribute, hopefully, to a huge success for the team.”
It was a hard decision — even more so than normal — but Kampe fi nally released his probable starting lineup.
Freshman point guard Johnathon Jones, sophomore guard Erik Kangas, senior forward Vova Severovas, Hopes and senior guard Rick Billings will all hear their names announced to head out for tipoff.
“I think it works best for the rotation,” said Kampe, who’s in his 23rd year at OU. “I have seven guys that could have started and there may be some changes we go through depending on matchups and things like that, but this is the lineup we’re going to start off the year with and we’ll see how things go.”
Jones may be a freshman, but he won Kampe over for the job.
He had 38 points for Okemos in a double-overtime loss to Saginaw Arthur Hill in the 2006 Class A state championship.
Jones scored 24 points in OU’s exhibition game against Cornerstone College.
Junior guard Brandon Cassise (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) and sophomore forward Derick Nelson are the first two players who will come off the bench. They’re also candidates to jump into the starting lineup if Kampe decides to make changes down the road.
“I’m anxious and I’m glad the season’s back,” Nelson said. “I’m ready to win some games.”
Cassise, a 3-point threat, averaged 8.3 points off the bench last season. Nelson averages 8.2 points and 5.7 points while starting in 25 of 29 games in 2005-06.
“I like the scoring Cassise and Nelson can bring off the bench,” Kampe said. “But any of those seven guys earned the right to start.”
Now it’s time to get the season started.
Finally.

Worlds apart--The Indy Star

A quick look at Indianapolis' men's basketball programs--The Indy Star

IUPUI
• 2005-06 record: 19-10 (13-3 Mid-Continent Conference).
• Affiliation: NCAA Division I.
• Indy connections: David Barlow (Pike), Angelo Smith (Lawrence North), George Hill (Broad Ripple), Austin Montgomery (Perry Meridian), Craig Swoope (Carmel), Andy Hampton (Shelbyville).
• What's to like: The Jaguars, with four returning starters, aim at winning in the NCAA Tournament. "I think we'd be selling ourselves short with a goal of just getting there, with all this talent," said Hill (18.9 ppg), an all-conference selection last season. "George could play anywhere in the country," coach Ron Hunter said. Joining Barlow (10.2 ppg) in the backcourt are transfers Montgomery (Bowling Green) and Gary Patterson (Butler).
• What's not to like: Nonleague home opponents are uninspiring (IU-Southeast, Belmont, Indiana Wesleyan, IPFW). The Jaguars play just four home games before Jan. 18. They have dates at Illinois (Dec. 6) and against Indiana at Conseco Fieldhouse (Dec. 22).
• Did you know? IUPUI would have been selected for the 2006 NIT under new rules, according to Hunter. Henceforth, if a league co-champion and No. 1 seed wins the league tournament, the other co-champion goes to the NIT. Last season, IUPUI tied for the Mid-Con title but was excluded from the NIT.

Crusaders' best player also its smartest as med school awaits--The Post-Tribune

Bouchie signs to play at Valpo--The Post Tribune

Crusaders ready for action--The NWI Times

Bouchie makes it official--The NWI Times

LMU seeks comeback--The Tulsa World

Men's Basketball Opens 2006-07 Season Tonight--OUGrizzlies.com

Thunderbirds Open 2006-07 Campaign At Utah--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Midconfans News 11/9/2006

Campus notes--deseretnews.com

Southern Utah

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Southern Utah's women's basketball team (0-0/0-0 Mid-Con) opens the 2006-07 regular season this Saturday as the Thunderbirds travel to Corvallis, Ore., for a date with Oregon State (0-0). Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. (PST), at Gill Coliseum (10,400) on the OSU campus. Saturday's game at OSU is the first of a three-game Northwest stretch for the Thunderbirds to kick-off the campaign as SUU will return to Oregon next weekend for games at Portland State (11/18) and Portland (11/20).

Oakland's 3-point threat--The Detroit Free Press

Oakland program is Kampe's show--The Detroit News

NCAA Division I outlooks--The Indy Star

VALPARAISO
2005-06 record: 17-12 (8-8 Mid-Continent Conference).
Indy connections: Brandon McPherson (Lawrence North), Matt Bennett (Brebeuf Jesuit).
What's to like: The Crusaders win the United Nations award. They have five players from four foreign countries. Moussa Mbaye, Senegal, is the team's lone senior. Coach Homer Drew, entering his 18th season, needs 14 victories to reach 300 at Valpo.
What's not to like: Valpo lost seven players who supplied 81 percent of the scoring a year ago. Point guard Jarryd Loyd is the only returning starter.
Did you know? This is Valpo's final year in the Mid-Con. It becomes the Horizon League's 10th team next season.

Hoop it up by enjoying VU basketball 'experience'--The Post-Tribune

Moussa Mbaye, VU's lone senior, is hoping his knee has healed and will hold up for a full season, allowing him to finally realize his potential--The Post-Tribune

Does a verbal commitment matter anymore?--The NWI Times

Signed, sealed and delivered to VU--The NWI Times

The final countdown--The NWI Times

Mid-Con teams take aim at Valpo--The Spectrum

Centenary hoops hopeful on Media Day--The Shreveport Times

Drew will miss the Mid-Con--The Tulsa World

Eagles snag guard pair--The Tulsa World

Sooners, Cowgirls, Eagles sign--The Tulsa World

WOMEN'S SIGNEES
Oral Roberts

Whitney Wehmeyer
Position: Guard
Height: 6-0
Scoring average: 20.1
Home: Stockdale, Texas

Corrie Hester
Position: Guard
Height: 5-9
Scoring average: 13.9
Home: Houston, Texas

Mona Pegorari
Position: Center
Height: 6-3
Scoring average: 4.3
Home: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Gents Basketball Inks Three in Early Period--GoCentenary.Com

IUPUI TO TIP OFF 2006-07 CAMPAIGN AT BCA CLASSIC--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Golden Eagles Open 2006-07 Season Friday at Loyola Marymount--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Women’s Hoops Nabs Three on First Day of Early Signing Period--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Finkbeiner Adds Missouri Standout--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

T-BIRDS OPEN 2006-07 SEASON AT OREGON STATE SATURDAY--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Crusaders Ink Bouchie to National Letter of Intent--www.valpo.edu

Valpo Women Ink Five to National Letters of Intent--www.valpo.edu

Valpo Women Set to Open Regular Season Friday at Northwestern--www.valpo.edu

Mid-Con hosts annual basketball Media Day teleconference--Western Illinois Athletics

Two players sign-on to be Leathernecks for 2007-08--Western Illinois Athletics

Leathernecks tally 17-point exhibition victory, open regular season Sunday--Western Illinois Athletics

Mid-Con hosts annual basketball Media Day teleconference--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/8/2006

Myers shoots down the Pumas--The NWI Times

Too close for comfort--The Spectrum

T-Birds gear up for Nevill, Utes--The Spectrum

Gents will land three--The Shreveport Times

On the men's side, Centenary coach Rob Flaska will sign three prep players on Wednesday, including 6-foot-11 center Tim Price of Kline High School in Houston. The Gents will also ink 6-8 combo forward Justin Glenn from Tulsa's Union High, one of Oklahoma's top-ranked 5A prep teams.

Kangaroos Fall To Park In Overtime--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Women Fall Just Short In Exhibition Finale; Lose 73-70 to Washburn--UMKC Kangaroos

ORU Ranked 14th in Mid-Major Preseason Top 25--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

T-BIRDS SLIP PAST CONCORDIA IN EXHIBITION OPENER, 59-56--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Crusaders Win Final Tune-up--www.valpo.edu

Leathernecks set to play Missouri Baptist in final exhibition before regular season--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/7/2006

--The Oakland Press

BRIEFS

Oakland rallies to
defeat Cornerstone
Trailing by two points at half time, Oakland’s men’s basketball team out scored Cornerstone by 21 points in the final 20 minutes to pull away for a 94-75 victory in the Golden Grizzlies’ final exhibition of the preseason. Freshman Johnathon Jones (Okemos) led OU to the win by hitting on all seven of his field goal attempts, including three treys, on his way to a 24 point evening.
The Golden Eagles shot 59 percent from the field in the first half and used their sharp shooting to hold off Oakland in the opening minutes.
Cornerstone was 12 of 14 at the free throw line in the first half and ran off six straight points and to close the half with a two-point advantage, 40-38.
In the second half it was Oakland’s offense that was finding the range, hitting at a 74 percent clip for the half. The Golden Grizzlies started the half by hitting their first nine field goal attempts and after Erik Kangas had canned another long range shot Oakland had out scored Cornerstone 22-11 over the first five and a half minutes to take a 60-51 lead.
Oakland’s defense cooled off Cornerstone considerably in the second half, holding the Golden Eagles to just a 31 percent shooting mark. Oakland then put the game away by putting an 11-3 run on the Golden Eagles, with five of the points coming from Jones as OU pulled out to an 86-68 advantage. That was enough as Oakland cruised home with the win.
Shawn Hopes joined Jones in double figures for Oakland with 19 points, completing a double-double with 13 rebounds. Vova Severovas finished with 18 points while Rick Billings (Detroit) added 16 more for OU. Andy Bronkema led Cornerstone with 21 points, with John Jonker adding 16 for the Golden Eagles. Oakland held a 36-24 advantage on the boards.
Oakland will open the regular season when it hosts Defiance College at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Jones hopes more Division I schools look to Gary for players--The Post-Tribune

Crusaders cruise in final exhibition--The NWI Times

Valpo looks for better handle--The NWI Times

SUU looking for a starting point guard--The Spectrum

Ladies Earn 79-77 Comeback Win in Exhibition with Harding--GoCentenary.Com

JAGUARS DROP EXHIBITION OPENER TO OHIO LEGENDS, 69-63--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

UMKC To Face Park University In Final Exhibition Tune-Up On Tuesday--UMKC Kangaroos

UMKC Women Host Washburn On Tuesday To Wrap Exhibition Slate--UMKC Kangaroos

Second Half Surge Leads Oakland Past Cornerstone--OUGrizzlies.com

Golden Grizzlies Defeat Western Ontario--OUGrizzlies.com

Crusaders Defeat Trinity Christian in Exhibition Action--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Midconfans News 11/6/2006

Valpo variety--The NWI Times

Tall expectations--The NWI Times

Diebler puts on a show for Valpo--The NWI Times

JAGUARS DROP EXHIBITION OPENER TO OHIO LEGENDS, 69-63--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Women’s basketball falls in exhibition play 50-42 to Lewis University--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/5/2006

Campus notes--deseretnews.com

SUU

BASKETBALL: Southern Utah finished its exhibition season 2-0 Saturday as the Thunderbirds downed a scrappy Mesa State squad, 71-53, in a foul plagued contest. MSC was playing its season-opener.

Day powers UMKC winThe Kansas City Star

Valparaiso women take care of exhibition--The Post-Tribune

Peller leads Crusaders to victory--The NWI Times

A new beginning--The NWI Times

Crusader nation goes through a rebirth--The NWI Times

'U' hauls Crusaders to win--The NWI Times

Sloppy, but a win is a win--The Spectrum

ORU struggles, puts away Bronchos late--The Tulsa World

Women: Eagles upend Lady Reds--The Tulsa World

ORU has chance to relive glory days--The Tulsa World

Men: High expectations--The Tulsa World

Women: Turek's leadership may bring success--The Tulsa World

hORU Women: The Sideline--The Tulsa World

IUPUI WINS EXHIBITION OPENER OVER WINDSOR, 81-68--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

Ten Players Score In UMKC's 91-58 Rout of Benedictine--UMKC Kangaroos

ORU Downs Central Oklahoma in Exhibition Finale, 89-69--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Golden Eagles Take Exhibition Contest from NSU, 59-51Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Thunderbirds Handle Mesa State, 71-53--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Valpo Captures Exhibition Opener from Indiana Wesleyan--www.valpo.edu

Crusaders Down Grand Valley State in Exhibition Opener--www.valpo.edu

Midconfans News 11/3/2006

Leathernecks romp to exhibition win--The Macomb Journal

Crusaders rise (early) to the challenge--The Post-Tribune

Mid-Con Basketball Media Day Teleconference Set for Nov. 8--www.mid-con.com

ORU downs Langston--The Tulsa World

Physical prowess--The Tulsa World

FORMER BASKETBALL STANDOUT TABBED IN D-LEAGUE DRAFT--IUPUI JAGUAR ATHLETICS

UMKC Rolls To An Easy Victory Over Rockhurst--UMKC Kangaroos

Golden Eagles Throttle Langston in Exhibition Opener, 97-69--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Five Leathernecks score in double-figures as Western cruises to exhibition victory--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/2/2006

OAKLAND 77, INDIANA WESLEYAN 56--The Detroit Free Press

Brandon Cassise (Walled Lake) led host Oakland with 17 points in an exhibition. Jon Moon led Wesleyan with 11.

Winds battle to down SIU-EThe Macomb Journal

Valparaiso junior guard Jarryd Loyd was concerned about returning to play an uncertain role with an inexperienced roster. He's not concerned anymore--The Post-Tribune

Putting the past behind--The NWI Times

Thunder-ous start--The Spectrum

Sutton focused on ORU--The Tulsa World

UMKC Opens Exhibition Season Against Rockhurst--UMKC Kangaroos

Men’s Basketball Rolls Past Indiana Wesleyan in Exhibition--OUGrizzlies.com

Thunderbirds Roll Past Lakehead In Exhibition Opener--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Young Crusader Squad Prepares for Final Season in Mid-Con--www.valpo.edu

Western Illinois women’s basketball earns a close 70-68 victory in exhibition play over SIU Edwardsville--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 11/1/2006

Grizzlies hope for winning season--The Detroit Press

Grizzlies going on the defensive--The Oakland Press

COLLEGE BASKETBALL
By CRYSTAL EVOLA Of The Oakland Press


ROCHESTER HILLS — Lose your top offensive player, change your defensive scheme.
That’s exactly what the Oakland University men’s basketball team has done for the 2006-07 season.
The Golden Grizzlies will have a chance to show local fans their plan to return to old-fashioned, man-to-man defense when they kick off a new season with an exhibition contest against Indiana Wesleyan at 7 p.m. today at the Oakland Athletics Center.
Oakland will officially open the nonconference portion of its regular-season schedule against Defiance College at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 in a home game.
“It’s not going to be what Oakland fans have seen in the last few years when the score’s 90-85,” said longtime OU coach Greg Kampe, whose team was picked to finish fifth in the Mid-Continent Conference preseason poll. “We’re hoping to live off our defense as we learn who’s going to score for us.
“The last couple years we played that zone, but it was more because we had some guys that we had to hide defensively and we don’t have that on this team. We really believe that we’ve got a group of guys that can all guard the ball and they can all play.”
OU plans to rely less on offensive firepower and concentrate on being more accountable on the defensive end by ditching the zone and switching to man-to-man.
The Grizzlies averaged 73.9 points per game last season, but allowed 77.3.
They turned the ball over an average of 15.5 times, but opponents gave it up just 13.9 times.
The change in emphasis and scheme is just fine with many of the returning players.
“People are going to be more accountable with one-on-one,” OU sophomore Derick Nelson said. “I think playing man-to-man will help us be better and I think it’s better for the team.”
OU finished 11-18 overall and just 6-10 in the Mid-Con last year
The Grizzlies return four players who all saw starting time throughout a bulk of last season.
Seniors Rick Billings (11.4 ppg), Vova Severovas (14.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg) and Shawn Hopes (9.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg) are the leading returning veterans and are anxious to finish out their careers on a positive note, no matter what it takes.
“This is my last chance, so I’ve got to make it my best effort,” Hopes said. “I’ve got to give it my all and go out with a bang this year and make sure I come out with a championship.”
Hopes was on the sidelines watching OU make a historic run into the NCAA Tournament in 2004. The Grizzlies were sent home early in 2005 after a disappointing, short trip through the Mid-Con tourney.
“After witnessing that (in 2004) it’s like I’ve got to come up with something,” Hopes said, who had quit the team at the start of the 2003-04 and later had a change of heart. “No matter what it takes, I’m trying to get that (league) championship.”
Freshman point guard Johnathon Jones, a McDonald’s All-America nominee as a senior at Okemos High, is among the key newcomers expected to make a major impact on the team.
Overall, it will require a full-team effort to fill the void left by Calvin Wooten (19.2 ppg, 49 steals and 65 assists).
Wooten was ruled academically ineligible for failing to have enough credits as a senior.
No problem.
“It just seems like we’re more balanced offensively,” Nelson said. “We know each other a lot more than last year and everybody’s a lot more used to playing with each other.”
The loss is compounded by the fact that OU has a challenging non-conference schedule filled with road games against teams including UMass, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Arkansas and UCLA.
“I’m definitely excited to play such good competition,” Severovas said. “It should really prepare us for our conference play and we’re definitely expecting to win some of those games.”

Barnes, T-Birds anxious for exhibition opener--The Spectrum

Valpo Women Set for 2006-2007 Hoops Campaign--www.valpo.edu

Leathernecks ready to tip-off exhibition season against MacMurray College--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/31/2006

Senior Showcase Leads White Squad To 68-65 Win In Annual Blue-White Scrimmage--UMKC Kangaroos

Green Named Preseason Mid-Major All-American--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Thunderbirds Host Lakehead U, Mesa State In Exhibition Games--SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS

Women's basketball gets set for first exhibition game of the 2006-07 season--Western Illinois Athletics

Midconfans News 10/29/2006

Crusaders molding into one unit--The Post-Tribune

Notebook: Building plans--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles

Midconfans News 10/27/2006

T-Bird teams show off skills--The Spectrum

Midconfans News 10/26/2006

Bryce Drew promoted--The Indy Star

IUPUI spells happiness--The NWI Times

Learning on the go--The Spectrum

Who will step forward for the Thunderbirds?--The Spectrum

ORU's Green Named to Wooden Award Preseason Team--www.mid-con.com

Men's: Media Day: Transfer liberated from bench--The Tulsa World

ORU Notebook: Preseason hype--The Tulsa World

Caleb Green Named to Wooden Award Preseason List--Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles