Photo courtesy of Oakland University Oakland University sophomore Drew Maynard is one of a handful of local players who have helped the Golden Grizzlies remain one of the top mid-major programs in the country.

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

ROCHESTER — Oakland University’s men’s basketball has its sights squarely set on its goals entering the final month of the regular season.

“Now’s a time to take care of business,” Golden Grizzlies coach Greg Kampe said. “This is what you play for, your league championship and going to the NCAA tournament.”

OU was 7-0 and in first place of the Summit League at press time — in prime position to end up with a high seed in the postseason tournament — and are hoping to use that momentum to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

“Our goal every year is to win the postseason tournament,” Kampe said. “We’re right there, where we need to be right now, but we’ve got a long way to go.”

Last year, the Grizzlies came close to reaching their second NCAA tournament, but fell in the final seconds of the Summit League championship to North Dakota State. The near miss has served as inspiration for the team this year.

“Because of the way it ended last year, we can always draw back on that,” Kampe said. “We use that as motivation to go forward.”

“We thought we had it; we let it go,” said OU sophomore guard Drew Maynard. “We kind of felt like someone took something that was ours, right beneath our feet. So this year, we’ve got a lot of momentum going, and we have that drive to win … that determination.”

Junior center Keith Benson, who was named the Summit League Men’s Athlete of the Month for December after posting five double-doubles that month, hopes OU can recapture the respect and recognition a mid-major program can achieve when it qualifies for the NCAA tournament, like the Grizzlies did back in 2005.

“When people think about Oakland, they think about the last time we made the tournament,” he said. “They don’t really recognize you unless you make it to the tournament.”

Leading the team into college basketball’s popular postseason event would be extra special for Maynard and Benson, products of Oakland County basketball. Maynard played for Lake Orion High in his prep career, while Benson, a Farmington Hills native, played for Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day.

“That would be a great feeling, just having friends and family all around here coming and seeing me play a tournament game — that’d be wonderful,” said Maynard, a key reserve.

“It means a lot for me,” Benson added. “So that’s what I’m just trying to do, bring it back here.”

Former local prep stars, such as Benson and Maynard, have meant a lot to OU and its rise to success over recent years. And even as the program continues to grow, Kampe knows where its roots are.

“In the process of being a Division 2 school and going to Division 1, we have always recruited (in) Michigan and locally. That’s been our base of recruiting,” the coach said.

“As we get further into this, we’re trying to expand our base, but we’re never going to leave the local players.”

Junior John Kast (Clarkston/Clarkston High), sophomore Blake Cushingberry (Romeo/Romeo High) and freshman Jay Thames (Port Huron/Port Huron Northern) are a few more local athletes who play key roles for the Grizzlies. And Utica Eisenhower senior Corey Petros, last year’s Macomb Area Conference Red Division MVP, has already signed his National Letter of Intent to play for OU next season.

“We want to be able to get the best players in the area,” Kampe said. “And that will always be our No. 1 focus.”

But the former local stars aren’t the only reason the Grizzlies are enjoying another solid season.

“Our team chemistry is real strong. We’re playing a lot of good, hard defense, and our offense is working,” Maynard said.

Benson noted the team’s tough non-league schedule, which included games at Kansas, Michigan State, Syracuse, Wisconsin, Memphis and Oregon, as another key.

“It’s just higher competition and big crowds, and it just helps us when we play our road games not to get flustered … so we can play at crunch time,” Benson said.

Maynard added that playing those teams, most are likely NCAA tourney-bound, can have more advantages once the Grizzlies get into the postseason.

“We’re playing the best teams in the nation, so we already know what it feels like to play in like a tournament game,” Maynard said.

First things first, though, as OU focuses in on finishing strong in the regular season. The Grizzlies know they’ll have a target on their backs after such a strong start.

“It’s always going to be tough. People are always going to battle and fight, but we’re going to fight and battle harder,” Maynard said. “It’s going to be intense, but I know we’re going
to do it.”

Catch OU in action next when the Grizzlies host Centenary College at 7 p.m. Feb. 4.

You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.