For the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, the past week has been a gauntlet unlike any other.
Fresh off a respectable 10-point loss to Purdue, the nation’s then-top-ranked team, Oakland was immediately thrown back into the fire, facing the new undisputed No. 1 squad in the country — the Houston Cougars. Two consecutive matchups against college basketball’s elite — a scheduling rarity not seen since the 1990s — loomed as a monumental test.
While the adrenaline was high and the faintest whispers of a monumental upset lingered, the reality of Houston’s prowess quickly settled in.
From the opening tip, it was evident this would be an uphill battle. Oakland, having scouted Houston extensively and followed the NBA draft landscape, knew the Cougars’ defensive dominance and deep roster of future pros well. Houston’s ability to suffocate offenses and control the paint is legendary — and against Oakland, it was on full display.
Players like Kingston Flemings and Joseph Tugler, already household names in scouting circles, set the tone early.
The game itself unfolded as a one-sided affair. The Golden Grizzlies were simply outplayed from the first whistle, unable to find consistent rhythm against a relentless Houston defense.
The halftime score of 39-17 painted a stark picture, reflecting Oakland’s struggle to generate offense, including a particularly challenging first half shooting the ball, where they went 0-for-5 from beyond the arc.
Yet, amidst the storm, a beacon emerged for the Golden Grizzlies: Isaac Garrett.
The sophomore forward seemed to be the only Oakland player who consistently found his footing, becoming the undeniable X-factor and a crucial anchor for the team. Garrett’s performance was a masterclass in determination against overwhelming odds. He relentlessly crashed the boards, securing seven rebounds — five of them on the offensive glass — by boxing out against Houston’s much larger and longer frontcourt.
Garrett’s aggression was palpable on both ends. He came up with two well-timed blocks and a steal, showcasing his defensive instincts.
His advanced footwork in the paint allowed him to manipulate defenders, using fakes and body control to draw contact and create scoring opportunities. He finished the night with an impressive 20 points on an efficient 8-for-16 (50%) shooting from the field, leading the team in scoring, rebounding and blocks.
If Oakland is to navigate the tough nonconference schedule and contend in the Horizon League come 2026, Garrett’s continued evolution will be paramount.
On the Houston side, the talent was undeniable.
Kingston Flemings was red-hot from the start, highlighted by a powerful first-half dunk that served as a clear statement of intent. He amassed 19 points and an astounding nine assists, further solidifying his status as a lottery-level NBA talent.
The Cougars’ defense, a suffocating unit from 1 through 5, completely neutralized Oakland’s offensive flow. Grizzlies guard Brody Robinson was forced into tough, contested shots, while Ziare Wells found little room to operate, particularly on drives to the paint.
Emanuel Sharp poured in 19 points, knocking down 5-of-9 three-pointers to stretch Oakland’s defense, while freshman big man Chris Cenac Jr. added 11 points and valuable interior presence alongside Tugler, whose defensive impact was felt across the board — contributing to Houston’s overwhelming 46-32 rebounding advantage and 40-20 lead in points in the paint.
While Nassim Mashhour showed flashes of life in the second half, hitting a couple of crucial threes, Houston’s demolition continued unabated. The final score of 78-45 reflected a game where the Golden Grizzlies were simply outplayed in nearly every facet.
Despite Garrett’s heroic individual effort, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies were no match for the nation’s top-ranked Houston Cougars.
It was a humbling, yet invaluable, experience for a team facing unparalleled competition. The challenge has been met, the lessons learned, and for the Oakland faithful, there’s solace in knowing they witnessed a future star in Isaac Garrett rise to the occasion — even against the toughest opponents.