On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Golden Grizzlies faced off against Rochester Christian in a matchup that was heavily predicted to sway Oakland’s way.
However, the matchup against the NAIA school was anything but easy. Although the Golden Grizzlies came out victorious, it was a gritty, unconvincing performance.
The final 99–90 margin felt more like a great escape than a statement victory, especially with Rochester Christian outscoring the Golden Grizzlies 46–45 in the second half.
The resilient Warriors made this a much tougher affair than most expected, reminding the team that effort and execution must be consistent, regardless of the opponent.
Defensive and Rebounding Woes Magnified
The most glaring area of concern heading into the nonconference slate — a brutal trifecta of games against AP Top 10 teams Michigan, Purdue and Houston — was the team’s defensive effort.
The transition defense was inconsistent and below par throughout the night. Multiple possessions saw the Golden Grizzlies score a nice bucket on one end, only to lose focus immediately. This led to messy transition defense, where the tenacious Warriors simply took advantage, resulting in late or poor closeouts, which they attacked to score seemingly at will.
These types of opportunities cannot be afforded against the likes of the three AP Top 10 teams, as it will likely put Oakland out of the game before the first half even ends.
Furthermore, Oakland was badly exposed on the boards and inside the paint.
The team gave up a lot of second-chance opportunities and was ultimately outrebounded on the offensive end 18–15.
Anticipation and effort were visibly absent on several key possessions, as poor boxing out and positioning by Oakland’s bigs allowed Rochester Christian to win the paint battle, outscoring Oakland 46–42 near the basket — deeply concerning given the NBA-caliber frontcourt talent they face next week, including seven-footers like Michigan’s Aday Mara and Houston’s Chris Cenac Jr.
Even more troubling: Rochester Christian capitalized on Oakland’s mistakes, racking up 20 points off turnovers compared to Oakland’s 17 — an area where the favored Division I team should have had a clear edge in execution.
Ineffective Post Play and Perimeter Struggles
Individually, the performance of the post players was a major factor in the rebounding deficit.
Isaac Garrett, who had a masterful game against Alma College, looked flustered, struggling to box out and contribute consistently. Similarly, Nate Deer also struggled to rebound, leaving Oakland without a reliable presence inside.
The lack of interior effectiveness was compounded by the surprise performance of Rochester Christian’s Tymias Williams, who looked like a true Division I player. Williams was arguably the best player on the court, dropping 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out eight assists. His contested midrange shots were simply phenomenal and demonstrated the kind of high-level threat Oakland must be prepared to defend.
On the perimeter, the Golden Grizzlies struggled to find any rhythm, shooting an unusually low 29% from 3-point range. Even more worrying than the percentage itself was the fact that the team often failed to capitalize on open catch-and-shoot opportunities.
This poor perimeter efficiency directly resulted in a lower offensive ceiling for the night. The inability to convert open looks or generate better ones will be crippling against defenses like Houston’s, where every possession must be maximized.
Bright Spots
Despite their issues, Oakland did win the game for a reason.
Tuburu Naivalurua was, simply put, a special player on Thursday, scoring a team-high 28 points.
The preseason Player of the Year candidate looked incredibly smooth and comfortable, operating as the primary offensive engine. He displayed an impressive ability to play with his back to the basket, knocking down multiple tough fadeaways while playing through contact.
This kind of dominant, reliable interior scoring from the combo forward is precisely what Oakland will have to rely on to generate points against high-major programs.
Brody Robinson showed the kind of aggression and playmaking instincts the team needs.
While his shooting percentage was low (4-for-12), his mindset was perfect. He was relentlessly attacking open lanes and getting to the rim, leading to numerous trips to the free-throw line.
Beyond offense, Robinson also contributed defensively, adhering to schemes and impressively recording three steals — proving he can be a solid two-way lead guard for this squad.
Brett White emerged as the team’s most reliable perimeter threat. He looks like the guy who can instantly light it up from deep, especially late in the shot clock when the team desperately needs a contested bailout 3. He knocked down three key perimeter shots against Rochester, signaling his potential as a crucial spot-up and late-clock shooter.
Sophomore Warren Marshall IV’s effort and physicality are unquestionable. He had a nasty poster dunk that was so impressive it was featured on SportsCenter, and his entire approach is that of a gritty competitor.
Although his rebound count (three) was low, his willingness to fight for boards and steals — and constantly get into passing lanes — speaks to a defensive intensity that the rest of the team needs to match.
Looking Ahead
The Golden Grizzlies got the win, but the exhibition against the resilient Rochester Christian Warriors revealed significant, fundamental flaws that must be addressed before the regular season tips off. The nine-point victory was a messy, unconvincing performance that lacked the defensive discipline and interior toughness required of a Division I program.
The team has clear individual talent in players like Tuburu Naivalurua and the aggressive Brody Robinson, but individual brilliance will not be enough to overcome the massive step up in competition.
The Golden Grizzlies cannot afford the same porous transition defense or rebounding deficits when facing NBA-caliber frontcourts like those at Michigan, Purdue and Houston.
This exhibition was a valuable lesson learned — a harsh reminder that effort and execution must be consistent, regardless of the opponent’s affiliation. The challenge is immediate and immense, and it carries major implications for the entire season.
The opening trifecta of games against AP Top 10 opponents is essential for Oakland’s at-large aspirations. For a team in the Horizon League, the only way to earn consideration for an NCAA Tournament bid outside of winning the conference tournament is to bank quality wins or, at the very least, secure highly respectable, close losses.
If Oakland can pull off a signature upset — or even keep all three games competitive — it dramatically boosts their NET ranking and gives the selection committee a reason to view the team favorably in March.
The performance against the Warriors suggests a major adjustment in focus and execution is needed immediately, as the first three games will define Oakland’s national profile for the rest of the season.