For the first time since 2021, the Oakland men’s basketball team will be hosting a game in the Horizon League Tournament. Hosting a game in the second round of the conference tournament goes a long way in ultimately determining the champion, and Oakland is now officially one step closer to achieving its goal of becoming the 2024 Horizon League Tournament champions.
After upsetting Xavier and narrowly falling to Big Ten foes Illinois and Ohio State early in the season, it was clear the Golden Grizzlies were going to be a force to be reckoned with in the Horizon League, and that certainly has been the case.
Oakland has sailed through the Horizon League competition this season, and it now stands alone in first place with a 13-4 record in league play. Three of Oakland’s four conference losses this season have come on the road, and the one home loss it suffered (Purdue Fort Wayne) was later avenged on the road.
The Golden Grizzlies’ latest triumph came in the form of a 107-59 drubbing of IUPUI at the OU Credit Union O’rena.
It’s clear that the Greg Kampe-led Golden Grizzlies are one of the best teams in the league, and now they’ll have their chance to prove it and punch their ticket to the Big Dance.
Oakland has all but guaranteed itself a No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the league tournament, meaning there will be a game at the OU Credit Union O’rena with everything on the line for the first time in more than three years.
Just earning a top-two seed in the conference tournament isn’t the goal, though. This team is clearly capable of far more.
In just a few weeks, Kampe and his crew will set out to prove over the course of five days what they have proved all season long: that they’re the best team in the conference. And it starts with winning the first home game against an opponent that is still to be determined.
One of the perks, though, of succeeding throughout the regular season and earning a top-two seed is that Oakland will earn a favorable matchup in the league tournament. Not only do the top five teams all get a bye into the second round, but the No. 1 seed will host the lowest remaining seed (the worst remaining team, essentially) in the second round.
Additionally, the No. 2 seed will host the second-lowest remaining seed in the second round.
It’ll be on Oakland to win what will be a should-win and must-win game and punch its ticket to the third round, which is better known as the semifinals.
The Golden Grizzlies haven’t been to the semifinals since 2021 when they won their semifinal matchup but lost to Cleveland State in the championship game.
With just three regular-season games remaining for Oakland, the focus is quickly shifting to the Horizon League tournament, where the fate of the team’s season will be in limbo.
Win, and Oakland will be going to Indianapolis to compete alongside three of the conference’s best teams. Lose, and the Golden Grizzlies will have their impressive season end in excruciating fashion.
Of course, if Oakland wins all three of its potential games in the conference tournament, it will head to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.