Photos by Aaron J. Thornton
It’s the start of the season for giving and two universities in the State did just that. The University of Michigan Wolverines and Oakland University Golden Grizzlies basketball programs played a charity match at Little Caesars arena yesterday. Both teams, with almost completely new rosters from the previous season, not only supported a good cause but gave fans a glimpse of what to look forward to in the upcoming college basketball season.
The game benefited local food rescued charity Forgotten Harvest, which collects and distributes food surplus to the community. Last year, 40 million pounds of food (33 million meals) were distributed by the non-profit. The organization’s CEO, Adrian Lewis had this to say about the exhibition game – “Forgotten Harvest is so proud to be a benefactor of this exhibition, these two great universities, coaches, and teams coming together to bring awareness to the ongoing hunger problem here in our community is really and inspiration for all of us to get involved today and make a difference in the lives of a neighbor in need.”
For Michigan it was not only a new roster (returning only three players from last season), but also the debut for new Head Coach Dusty May who left Florida Atlantic University and replaced Juwan Howard, taking over as the 18th coach for the Wolverines. He had several successful seasons at FAU, including taking the Owls to the Final Four in the 2023 NCAA tournament.
On the other side of the floor is a coach that has one of the longest tenure with an NCAA program. Despite having a roster of 11 new players, Greg Kampe has served as Oakland University’s head coach for 41 years.
The Wolverines controlled the game from the start, making the first two baskets of the game and never trailing in the contest. Michigan showed that they can score both inside and outside and have the players to support a balanced offense attack in both areas. Returning Wolverines forward Will Tschetter came off the bench to lead the team in points with 15. Michigan had a total of five players score in double digits including getting a double-double with points and rebounds from Yale transfer big man Danny Wolf (11 points, 13 rebounds). Although Michigan had a double digit lead for most of the game and scored 92 total points, it was evident the players were not use to playing together as they committed 17 turnovers. With the player talent that exists on the team, once they get more time playing together in games it would not be a surprise if they put together a great first season for Coach May.
For the Golden Grizzlies, despite losing by 44 points, Coach Kampe made it clear in the post game press conference that he was not worried. “Don’t be in a panic, we’re fine,” were his exact words to the media and fans. Oakland shot just 17% from behind the 3 point arc (2 for 30) with more than 20 consecutive misses and Kampe expressed how that’s rare. Oakland was led by Jayson Woodrich with 18 points in the game. Allen David Mukeba was the Golden Grizzlies’ only other player in double digits with 11 points.
Michigan opens the season on Friday hosting Toledo at Crisler Center. Oakland will play Defiance on Monday, Nov 4th at home for their season opener.
Final Score: Michigan 92 – Oakland 48
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