The Oakland University women’s basketball team has already been showing its strength against big opponents before opening conference play on Dec. 3.
With games against programs like the University of Wisconsin, Harvard and Michigan State University in their preseason, the Golden Grizzlies have shown they know how to hold their heads high and display resilience.
After an 80-75 win over Miami University (Ohio), the team’s confidence is up.
“I love the up and down, I love the adversity,” women’s basketball head coach Keisha Newell said in response to losses against Harvard and Charlotte University in the Raising the B.A.R. Invitational following the Miami win.
Newell and the team are focusing on discipline and trusting that discipline in tough stretches.
As they make their way through preseason games, they inch closer to their first Horizon League matchup against the Wright State Raiders in Dayton on Dec. 3. The team believes the preseason is crucial in preparing for league play.
“We’ve got to be ready to go by December third,” Newell said, noting the team’s goal of improving in-game adjustments and awareness.
Defensively, the Grizzlies have built a strong identity, forcing 16.2 turnovers with 7.6 steals per game.
“They need to be pushed,” Newell said.
The team is putting in hard work to maintain its defensive intensity while continuing to build its offense.
For weekly preparation, the Grizzlies assess what kind of week it has been and what they need most. During practice, the focus is intentionally on themselves rather than solely on the opponent.
“If we’re focusing on someone else, then we’re not focusing on what we want to do right now,” Newell said.
Off the court, the team’s strength is equally visible.
“What they are going through as student-athletes — the way they are being pushed physically, mentally, and still maintaining what they are doing in the classroom and being good people,” Newell said.
When it comes to the long term, the team finds it hard to look ahead while in the middle of the season. but hopes remain high.
A season ago, Oakland finished 6-14 in the Horizon League under Newell’s new leadership. This season, they were ranked ninth of 11 teams in the preseason coaches’ poll. Regardless, the team is focused on itself and feels everything is coming together.
“I think we are definitely building something special,” Newell said.
The Grizzlies work hard to trust each other and build a family-like relationship. The older, more experienced players are also learning new things under a new head coach, while continuing to provide guidance to younger teammates.
As the team progresses toward Horizon League play, it holds high expectations for the conference season and where it will end up, and is more than willing to put in the work it takes to get there.
As of Nov. 22, Oakland sits at 2-3 with wins against Cleary and Miami (Ohio), and losses to Wisconsin, Harvard and Charlotte.
The Grizzlies also hope to see fans at their next home game against the Cleveland State Vikings on Dec. 6 at noon in a packed OU Credit Union O’Rena.