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Kampe changing local recruits' perception of OU
Mar 30, 2007
PAT CAPUTO
The Oakland Press
It wouldn't be fair to say that men's basketball has been an unsuccessful venture at Oakland University. Longtime coach Greg Kampe built OU into one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the Midwest. Since going Division I, the Golden Grizzlies have been to the NCAA tournament and have won a Mid-Continent Conference regular season championship. This past season was a terrifi c one for Oakland.
The Golden Grizzlies were clearly the thirdbest Division I team in the state behind only Michigan State and Michigan.
There is, however, a difference between respectability and sizzle.
Oakland basketball has been nice, OK safe - but always on the back burner and never in the forefront.
Even when OU made the NCAA tournament, it was as the ultimate Cinderella story.
Oakland has never been like Dick Vitale's University of Detroit Titans of the 1970s, when the mid-major legitimately banged heads with the big boys - and often won.
Or even like Perry Watson's more understated - but in a way just as effective - Titans of a few years ago.
Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Western Michigan have all had their moments the past couple decades. Oakland really hasn't - other than when the glass slipper fit.
Oakland has had sellout crowds for select opponents or promotions, but it has never been "the ticket" in town.
That might have changed this week when Oakland gained a much larger measure of regard.
Three premier players, all from high schools within a short drive of campus - Pontiac Northern's Tim Williams, Lake Orion's Drew Maynard and Romeo's Blake Cushingberry - committed to OU. . . . (read more)
Go State!
Kampe changing local recruits' perception of OU
Mar 30, 2007
PAT CAPUTO
The Oakland Press
It wouldn't be fair to say that men's basketball has been an unsuccessful venture at Oakland University. Longtime coach Greg Kampe built OU into one of the top NCAA Division II programs in the Midwest. Since going Division I, the Golden Grizzlies have been to the NCAA tournament and have won a Mid-Continent Conference regular season championship. This past season was a terrifi c one for Oakland.
The Golden Grizzlies were clearly the thirdbest Division I team in the state behind only Michigan State and Michigan.
There is, however, a difference between respectability and sizzle.
Oakland basketball has been nice, OK safe - but always on the back burner and never in the forefront.
Even when OU made the NCAA tournament, it was as the ultimate Cinderella story.
Oakland has never been like Dick Vitale's University of Detroit Titans of the 1970s, when the mid-major legitimately banged heads with the big boys - and often won.
Or even like Perry Watson's more understated - but in a way just as effective - Titans of a few years ago.
Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan and Western Michigan have all had their moments the past couple decades. Oakland really hasn't - other than when the glass slipper fit.
Oakland has had sellout crowds for select opponents or promotions, but it has never been "the ticket" in town.
That might have changed this week when Oakland gained a much larger measure of regard.
Three premier players, all from high schools within a short drive of campus - Pontiac Northern's Tim Williams, Lake Orion's Drew Maynard and Romeo's Blake Cushingberry - committed to OU. . . . (read more)
Go State!