Will Hudson: Rebounds Like A Dog

The folks over at WXOU, Oakland's student radio station, had a great interview with OU coach Greg Kampe today in the return of the Greg Kampe Show. While the hour-long discussion touched on a number of subjects, the most interesting nugget came when the conversation turned to Will Hudson's rebounding ability. Host Matt Pocket pointed out that Will Hudson was second in the nation in raw offensive rebounding figures (per some intuitive digging by Oakland Post writer Dan Fenner), which prompted Coach Kampe to get his fireside chat on:

"I use the story that I have a dog. Every time the doorbell rings my dog runs to the front door to say 'Hi' to the person who rang the doorbell. In all the time I've had the dog, it's never been for him. The person that came to the door has never come to the door to see my dog. But that doesn't stop my dog. Every time it rings, he goes. And that's how Will rebounds. Every shot goes up, he goes to the boards. Even if it's not going to come off on his side, if it appears its going in, if its a lay-up, he goes every time, and he's rewarded for that. We want him to rebound like my dog."

Gotta love Coach Kampe's quips. It's a fitting analogy considering how aggressive Hudson has been on the offensive glass not just this season, but most of his career as a Golden Grizzly. Coach Kampe also noted that there have been a couple of NBA folks who have called him about Will, mentioning that a Summer League invite could be in the senior's future. Big things for The Thrill. For that, we dedicated this image to Will's monster season thus far.

Oakland's Scholarship Availability

The big news in Oakland roster moves this week was the announcement that junior Drew Maynard would be leaving the team to pursue an opportunity to play basketball elsewhere. While it is a bummer that Maynard, a local kid with a lot of promise, won't finish his career as a Golden Grizzly, his decision to transfer does open up a scholarship, most notably for next year. Prior to this announcement, it appeared that Oakland would be locked in with its 13 players signed for next year, barring any other transfers or leaving. Sans Maynard, this is what the scholarship situation will look like in 2011-12 and the four years after:

As we can see, Oakland now has a scholarship open in 2011-12 even after signing senior-to-be Laval Lucas-Perry and incoming freshmen Matt Poches and Dante Williams. According to Rivals.com, there are currently five guys left in the Class of 2011 who have not signed and are listed as Oakland targets. The prize of the bunch is Patrick Lucas-Perry, a three-star recruit who has offers from Harvard, Michigan State, Michigan, South Florida, and Oakland. That's some stiff competition for the 5-foot-10 guard, but given that his brother will be suiting up next year for Oakland, it at least makes you wonder if it gives the Golden Grizzlies an edge.

Aside from Class of 2011'ers, there is also the interesting case of Doug Anderson, a junior college player in his second year at Mott Community College in Flint. Anderson originally committed to Duquesne, but it has since been revealed that the 6-foot-6 forward is no longer headed for the Steel Town. According to Rivals.com, it looks like his recruitment is down to Oakland and Detroit. Anderson, who is a bit of a Mott legend for his impressive dunks, would fill a void for the Golden Grizzlies at the forward position for two years while Dante Williams puts on some weight and gets used to OU basketball.

We're just speculating here and are far from recruiting experts, but these are at least some storylines to keep an eye on. One has to think that the opened spot will go to someone, and perhaps Coach Kampe and his staff work their magic and find another Travis Bader late in the year to add to the team. Whatever the case, OU's roster looks strong heading forward.

Expectations: Leadership

There is no question that Oakland basketball had its leaders in 2009-10. The two seniors, Derick Nelson and Johnathon Jones, played and led like their class standing suggests they should have. These players were single-handedly responsible for two of Oakland's biggest wins. Jones hit a game-winning shot against Oral Roberts at Oakland's Homecoming game in the O'Rena. Nelson powered the Golden Grizzlies through the Summit League tournament championship game with a legendary performance that saw him score 36 points and pull down 9 rebounds. They were focused, and they came up with big plays when Oakland needed them most. They were clutch, and they were leaders.

Who will step up in those big moments this year? The obvious indicator points to Keith Benson. He is a game-changer, simply put. One of the greatest moments of that Summit League championship game was when Benson blocked an approaching IUPUI opponent which led to a late fastbreak basket for Nelson (along with the and-1). While the game was nearly sealed at that point, Benson still played with that defensive toughness to the very end. Likewise, in the 2009 Summit League championship game, it was Benson who came up with a monster dunk that tied the game just before Ben Woodside hit the fateful shot that spawned Bison Fever. Benson can change the game on both ends of the court, and he's proven he can do it in the clutch. This year, Oakland will need that late-game intensity from him even more.

Larry Wright seems like a candidate to step-up as well in his senior season. Wright struggled with his perimeter shooting at various points of last season, but if he can find the touch this year, he could come up big for Oakland when the team is in need of a flurry of superhoops to shift the momentum when down to an opponent. Both Wright and Benson, however, are the kind of guys who let their game do the talking. Oakland will also need a few guys to step up who will have no trouble injecting a little fire or spirit into the team. That's where Will Hudson and Reggie Hamilton will come in.

Hudson, a senior, and Hamilton, a redshirt junior, were named co-captains for the 2010-11 season. It's easy to see why. Hudson has the chance to be the ultimate glue guy for Oakland this season. He's more vocal than any of his fellow seniors (at least in this observer's mind) and has been a solid player for the Grizzlies in all of the years he has been here. He'll need to continue to prove he's willing to do the little things that might not show up in the stat sheet or get him the accolades but that will ultimately help his team win ballgames. That's the bottom line, and we think if Oakland gets another ring in March, it'll be in part because of the leadership of a guy like Will.

Hamilton strikes us as a player with tons of personality who can keep things light and entertaining among the team (for proof, just watch him leading the OU Roll Call from this summer). However, he also seems like a fierce competitor eager to prove he has what it takes to pick up where Jonathon Jones left off. This is a veritable mix of traits for a guy who figures to be a prominent piece in the Golden Grizzlies' quest for a second-straight Summit League title. With Reggie around to lift up his teammates and give the team a bit of an edge, we think that task will prove much easier.

While we still have yet to see Reggie play as a Golden Grizzly, all indications are that he is ready to step in and lead right away. Hudson is a known commodity with all the intangibles that one looks for in pinpointing a consummate glue guy and productive post player. If Wright can step up his confidence this year, he'll surely come through in the clutch. And Benson is a monster who will no doubt be ready to help lead the Grizzlies to another title. Despite the losses of prominent players like Nelson and Jones, we suspect that everything is alright in the leadership department.

Oakland's Playmaker Quandary

During his team's media day, Oakland Coach Greg Kampe was asked who he saw as the squad's lock-down defender heading into the 2010-11 season. Kampe, always honest, noted that he wasn't quite sure who would emerge to fill that roll this season, saying it was the biggest question mark in his mind about this team. During last year's run to the NCAA Tournament, that roll was filled by two expert seniors in Derick Nelson at the forward position and Johnathon Jones as the primary defender of opposing point guards. Though it will be interesting to see who can step up to lock down the stars on the other side of the ball, I also feel like there is another lingering question with this year's team: who will fill the playmaker void left by Nelson and Jones? In an attempt to justify the question and perhaps answer it, I put together an analysis based on data available from last year.

My interest in playmaking ability was sparked by a post on the Sacramento Kings' blog Sactown Royalty, where the author used some unconventional data to figure out which Sacramento players needed the most help in getting off shots. Essentially, the site came up with a measure for shot creation based on the amount of times a player's "field goal made" was the result of an assist. Additionally, they broke this up into shots taken as jumpers and those in the paint. Fortunately for those writing about the NBA, this information is out there. In the realm of small-time college basketball, accessing such numbers is rather difficult. So in an attempt to duplicate this process, I went through all of the game logs from 2009-10, which clearly indicate how every point was scored during a game, to come up with the necessary numbers (the two games against non-Division I opponents were not included). Field goals are split up into those hit as "jumpers" and those completed as layups, dunks, tip-ins, or "jumpers in the paint." Additionally, each field goal notes if there was an assist tied to it. After the painstaking process of charting these factors, I came up with the following distribution.

To aid in understanding these numbers, let's look at a few specific examples. Perhaps the easiest role to understand is that of the center, Keith Benson. Benson is most often stationed in the post while the guards and forwards work the ball around hoping to get it to the big man to complete a play. As a result of this offensive set, a substantial amount of Benson's inside field goals, 56%, come as the result of a pass that directly sets him up to score, or an assist. The rest of the field goals he made in the paint were due to his own creation, whether through "posting up" an individual and working his way toward a bucket or through grabbing an offensive rebound and subsequently scoring. Now a key question here is whether putting the ball in the basket off of an offensive rebound can truly count as playmaking ability. This is truly debatable, and perhaps an indication that this measure is not perfect. I would argue, however, that the act of fighting for positioning and landing an offensive board as a result would count as creating the circumstances from which a field goal could be made. This methodology helps out Will Hudson quite a bit, who is known for put-backs via offensive rebounding. Because more plays are designed for Benson, Hudson then gets most of his scoring by creating for himself from such offensive rebounds. This is surely a reason why his inside assisted basket percentage is 13% lower than Benson's.

Hopefully the idea behind these numbers is a bit more clear now. Using this framework, let's dig into the potential problem heading into 2010-11. Specifically, we must look at the numbers of the two players who have since graduated, Nelson and Jones. Among all of the high-volume players, Nelson and Jones have the lowest total assisted basket percentage. While their numbers for jumpers are fairly standard across the team, their numbers in the paint are alarming. On the season, just 12% of Jones' plays in the paint came as a result of an assist, meaning he single-handedly created 88% of the field goals he made in the paint. As a guard, this means Jones had playmaking ability. When the ball was in his hands, Jones could either distribute (as he often did with perfection) or he could make a play toward the basket. While the volume of his inside field goals isn't as large as some of the other players, the percentage surely shows us that Jones could create his own shot if necessary (something we witnessed plenty of times, most notably on the road against Oregon in 2008 and at home against Oral Roberts in 2010). He mostly did it by cutting to the basket from the perimeter, but a large portion also came as the result of his ability to make defensive plays that led to quick transition lay-ups or his signature stop-and-shoot buckets from 15-feet out.

The worry grows even more when looking at Derick Nelson's figures. One of the reasons Oakland wasn't able to get over the hump in 2008-09 was because the team lacked a tough slasher with playmaking ability (due to Nelson's season-ending injury). Well in 2009-10, the Grizzlies were a force because Nelson was back again. In total, Nelson created just shy of 70% of his inside buckets. While several of those no doubt resulted from his aggressive offensive rebounding ability, most of them came from his effort to beat his opponent while gunning for the inside basket. Without Nelson, Oakland loses its primary playmaker of the past season.

The season has yet to start, meaning that these concerns are merely question marks and not legitimate problems at this point. There will be several players who can step up to provide playmaking for the Golden Grizzlies this year, especially without Jones and Nelson taking most of the minutes at those positions. To figure out where such production might come from, let's look at the various positions more closely, this time including the raw figures. We'll start with the guards.

What strikes me first about these numbers is the relative similarities between Jones and Larry Wright. Their numbers for outside jumpers are nearly identical. Jones has slightly less field goals as a result of an assist, most likely due to the fact the ball was already in his hands for most plays. I don't have the raw data to differentiate between three-pointers and two-point baskets, but from going through the logs, I can say that a large portion of Wright's 45 assisted jumpers were in fact from downtown. This figure will likely drop a bit in 2010-11 since he'll be the primary ball-handler and a lot of those shots will instead be reserved for Reggie Hamilton. But where Wright could improve is in his ability to make plays in the paint. JJ obviously had a huge advantage in this regard, making over two times as many inside baskets, mostly due to his own doing. Wright has the skills to replicate this process, but it will take an aggressive attitude and more confidence in order for him to finish such shots.

Ledrick Eackles didn't play as many minutes as the other guards, so his raw figures are considerably leaner. However, his percentages show that he likes to and can create on his own. His 31% assist percentage is the lowest on the team, no doubt influenced by his tendency to take risky three-pointers as well as his ability to beat out opponents in the open court on the way to an easy transition lay-up. Eackles' playmaking skills give me the impression that he will be able to make up for some of the production of Johnathon Jones. Reggie Hamilton obviously throws a wrench in this analysis since his impact is unknown at this point. For what it's worth, I'm hopeful that Hamilton can be a playmaker, distributor, and defensive stopper all in one!

The forwards on this team have a lot more work to do in order to replace the offensive production of Nelson. This is what worries me most. We've already talked about how Nelson was a playmaking monster, most of which came from high-percentage shots in the paint. None of the potential replacements have ever come close to the kind of numbers Nelson put up last season. In fact, most of these guys rely heavily on others in order to get an open look. The most reliant of the bunch is Drew Maynard. A whopping 72% of his field goals came as the result of an assist. In the paint, a large portion of his 26 assist field goals were from tremendous alley-oop passes which he forcefully threw down. There is clearly a purpose for such field goals, but without JJ tossing the ball up, there is some reason to be concerned. Additionally, most of Maynard's jumpers were three-pointers which came directly from an assist. There is little evidence to suggest that Maynard had the ability to create his own shot from outside or inside. It is possible that he just wasn't afforded the opportunity to do so with Nelson getting so many minutes ahead of him, but with his suspension, it remains to be seen if we'll find out any differently this year.

For his part, Blake Cushingberry's raw numbers prove he has been the biggest benefactor of a great passing game. Just three of his 31 jumpers were as a result of his own playmaking; this probably stems from the fact that most of his jumpers were from beyond the three-point line where he was able to set up and wait for the pass. His inside numbers offer a glimmer of hope for the forward position. For most of the season, his inside figures were skewed toward field goals made from an assist, though his inspiring performance in the conference tournament showed he could get into the lane to make a play on his own (or from an offensive board). There isn't enough volume to be able to say for sure that he could become a Nelson-like player, but percentage-wise one can hope that Cushingberry could approach that level.

For Drew Valentine, we simply lack enough data to be able to draw any firm conclusions. His inside figures are nice but mostly came against the 10th and 11th guys on the bench of the opponent. His role will expand greatly this season, and I can only hope that he's able to showcase some shot creation ability, particularly in the paint.

There is nothing too revelatory with the figures for Oakland's bigs, as everyone comes back this season. In terms of raw data, Benson clearly benefited as the focal point of the offense with 90 field goals assisted. However, his size and athletic skill also allowed him to make 70 field goals in the paint from his own doing (once again, whether from offensive boards or "posting up"). His percentage stays rather consistent when he goes outside of the paint as well, where he is more effective draining jumpers when a solid pass is made his way. Hudson, on the other hand, almost exclusively gets his baskets in the post. He proves effective both when a play is made his way and when he must make one on his own (as he does with his offensive boarding). Finally, Ilija is a bit of a non-factor in this discussion. Hopefully he has more than seven field goals to his name this time next year.

Even though Nelson and Jones are gone, there are certainly opportunities for current players to step up and make plays for Oakland this season. College basketball, after all, is all about new players getting the chance to come in and pick up where those with no more eligibility left off. A consistently good program knows and embraces this. Now it will be up to players like Wright, Eackles, Hamilton, Cushingberry, and Valentine to come in and show that Oakland is one of those good programs.

*A quick note about the numbers. Since they were tabulated by eye-and-hand, there was a small error of about 3 field goals that I believe were missed after comparing my totals with the official end-of-season total on the statistics page of OUGrizzlies.com. This error is likely insignificant but should be noted.

**A second note: These numbers can also be utilized to talk a bit about Oakland's passing game and not simply an individual's ability to get a shot on his own. For example, 61% of the team's made jumpers (including from beyond the three-point line) came as the result of an assist. Such a figure would indicate that the team's ball movement was fairly strong or that certain offensive sets designed to hit the open man on the perimeter were indeed effective. A more cynical approach might also use these statistics to indicate whether or not a player was a "ball-hog." However, such an argument doesn't really hold up well. For example, Johnathon Jones was a national leader in assists, yet when push came to shove, he knew how to make a play for himself as well. Obviously, the statistics don't lie, but the resulting analysis largely depends on the eye of the beholder.

Best Case/Worst Case And Hopes: Senior Players

As we look ahead to the beginning of the 2010-11 season, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the best and worst case scenarios for each of the Oakland U basketball players. The expectations are quite high this year in Rochester, and many of the Golden Grizzlies ballers will need to have great seasons in order for the team to achieve the kind of success many are predicting. In writing several of these blurbs, we attempted to make them as fun as possible. Our goal is not to be discouraging of the players; in fact as dedicated fans, it's just the opposite. With that said, we hope a little humor here and there makes this a fun read, and please note wenever joke about injuries. Obviously, that would be a true "worst case," but we're not going there. After reading the various best and worst case scenarios we've concocted, there is also a line featuring our hopes for each player. Remember, this is just the perspective of one fan and should not be considered any kind of definitive word on the players. We conclude with Oakland's senior class:

Seniors

Keith Benson

Best Case Scenario: Adds more strength and improves post defense in the offseason. Thumb completely healed. Shows off expanded skillset. Dominates in games against low-major teams. Competes well against bigs from BCS schools, shutting them down on defense (like Cole Aldrich in 2009) and owning the paint while on offense. Continues to impress NBA scouts, posting averages of 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks per game with 20 and 10 performances against best competition. Most importantly, becomes a leader in final season by willing team to many close victories. Earns Summit League Player of the Year. Leads team to NCAA Tournament. Drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft. Leaves Oakland University as a legend.

Worst Case Scenario: Continues to post stellar averages (18/10/3) but the team game isn't quite where it was the year prior. The team is blown out against Big Ten schools and the like while Benson posts great individual numbers. Team fares well during conference schedule but another team (ORU?) playing better team-ball wins championship. Benson wins or competes for second Summit League Player of the Year. Drafted in second round. Fans happy but slightly bitter about way season ended for the team as a whole.

What We're Hoping For: We doubt you'd come across a single Oakland fan who doesn't hope Keith Benson makes it to the NBA in 2011. Here at the Gameplan, that's clearly our number one wish for the big man. The "experts" out there think Benson still needs to add strength and show improved defensive ability in the post. Even with those, we still think Kito's chances of getting draft notice are much greater if his team makes it to the NCAA Tournament. While we don't have any hard data to back it up, the NCAA Tournament can give the kind of exposure a fringe draft pick needs to become a sure-fire pick (see: Patrick O'Bryant). In a sense, as the key to Oakland's success, Benson truly does hold his future in his hands. We hope its painted bright.

Will Hudson

Best Case Scenario: Emerges as the senior leader for the Golden Grizzlies on the court and off where he helps new bigs find their way. Averages 8 points and 5 boards a game and continues to beef up his already great career field goal percentage. Early struggles against Illinois and Michigan State are forgotten during conference season where he is a defensive force and monster on the glass. Comes up with big performances in late February and March, including a career game in the Summit League Tournament. Ends his OU playing days as a celebrated champion and one of the program's all-time good guys/four-year players. Size and ability gives him shot to play professionally overseas.

Take a charge? Sure. Hudson does the dirty work.

Worst Case Scenario: Begins season as a starter but overall playing time is limited when Oakland decides to go with a smaller line-up. Corey Petros also gets some time in early games and impresses, further tampering with Hudson's time. He recognizes his new role and takes it like a champion, playing with fire and passion when he is on the court. Averages suffer a bit, but he still comes up with a big rebound, tip-in, or block at key moments in important games. Still leaves OU as a celebrated champion, well-liked amongst the fans and program, with a shot to make an international team.

What We're Hoping For: In 2010-11, we hope Will lives up to his nickname, "The Thrill." In reality, there aren't a lot of thrilling aspects to Hudson's game. He boards the ball well, especially on the offensive end. He gets a lot of easy baskets off of said offensive rebounds, which adds to his impressive field goal percentage. And he defends well against opposing bigs. These are the mundane things that don't often get recognition. Hudson might not be lighting it up with 10-foot jumpers or posterizing dunks, but Oakland is ultimately better off for having a guy like him playing consistent minutes in the paint. In his senior year, we hope he continues to prove why he's been so valuable to the team while enjoying his run as team captain. It's much deserved.

Larry Wright

Best Case Scenario: Becomes a viable scoring option for the Grizzlies, averaging around 13 points per game, resulting from a mix of driving the lane and hitting three-pointers. Aids in the sound execution of offense and plays stellar defense. Finds the shooting touch he had while playing in the Big East, with lines like 2 for 10 the exception rather than the norm.

Worst Case Scenario: Scores a lot in one or two early games against low-major. Turns out to be an abberation. Never finds his shooting touch, struggling from the field for most of the season. Hits a few key three pointers in two or three games but main role is to help execute the offense and play solid defense.

What We're Hoping For: Larry Wright had some great games last season, but for whatever reason, the nights he went 2-10 or 3-9 stick out more in my memory. It seemed like he just never found his touch from deep despite playing solidly in most other regards. We hope that he can bounce back this season and endear himself to Oakland fans a bit more before going off into the sunset that is graduation.

Best Case/Worst Case And Hopes: Junior Players

As we look ahead to the beginning of the 2010-11 season, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the best and worst case scenarios for each of the Oakland U basketball players. The expectations are quite high this year in Rochester, and many of the Golden Grizzlies ballers will need to have great seasons in order for the team to achieve the kind of success many are predicting. In writing several of these blurbs, we attempted to make them as fun as possible. Our goal is not to be discouraging of the players; in fact as dedicated fans, it's just the opposite. With that said, we hope a little humor here and there makes this a fun read, and please note wenever joke about injuries. Obviously, that would be a true "worst case," but we're not going there. After reading the various best and worst case scenarios we've concocted, there is also a line featuring our hopes for each player. Remember, this is just the perspective of one fan and should not be considered any kind of definitive word on the players. Next is a look at Oakland's junior athletes:

Juniors

Blake Cushingberry

Best Case Scenario: Inspired by his performance in the Summit League tournament, Kampe puts him in the starting line-up. Embraces new role, finding his shot early on and never loses it. Double-teams on Benson often leave him open to take shots on the perimeter. Also improves ball-handling skills, making it easier for him to work opponents one-on-one. Defense is solid throughout the year. At least one late comeback win for OU is due to a monster three-pointer from Cushingberry.

Worst Case Scenario: Fails to find a shooting groove; mostly disappoints when key threes are needed. Great on defense when at a comfortable position, locking down smaller guards in the half-court offense. Ends season with typical averages and limited impact.

What We're Hoping For: We would love to see Cushingberry knock down meaningful baskets all year. He has been inconsistent in the past, yet now as a junior and probable starter, we feel the time has come for him to really step up his game.

Reggie Hamilton

Best Case Scenario: Wins "Summit League Newcomer of the Year" in everyone's hearts and minds, but a glitch in the system (he played for UMKC) disqualifies him from being eligible. Averages 14 points and 5 assists per game. Lauded for his ability to score at-will, get other players involved, and bring defensive toughness to the backcourt. Establishes himself as a vocal leader for the Golden Grizzlies.

Worst Case Scenario: Never quite finds his fit in the backcourt as a combo guard, struggles between operating as a scorer and leading the offense at times. Shots don't fall. Ends up with a decent PPG average thanks to those games early in the season where he scored 20+ points but leaves fans desirous of more.

What We're Hoping For: After a year of practicing with the team (and against JJ), we know chemistry won't be a problem. So we're hoping that Reggie can come out from the very beginning to be a difference maker for Oakland. Coach Kampe has indicated that Larry Wright will act as facilitator more often than Hamilton which should mean plenty of scoring opportunities for The New Number 23. In addition to the open looks he'll get on the perimeter, we hope that he'll be aggressive in getting to the lane, drawing fouls, and dishing out when necessary. Sky's the limit for Hamilton.

Drew Maynard

Best Case Scenario: Comes back from suspension at some point early in the season. Rusty but still has the athleticism and energy that made him a fan-favorite. Time away from team enables him to stay incredibly focused and help where he can. Does not get much playing time but uses it as motivation to do best he can when on the court. When he does play, shows off that athleticism to get to the basket and draw fouls while knocking down jumpers from beyond the arc. Slowly sees his playing time increase to the point where whatever happened just before Midnight Madness is forgotten (at least by the fans).

Worst Case Scenario: Never makes it back with the team. Fans frown thinking about what could have been for this player.

What We're Hoping For: We think it's good for a fan's health to never get too attached to the idea of a specific player always being around. We've seen good players find themselves suspended or booted from the team before, and while the initial feeling is terrible, Coach Kampe finds a way to make things work out.

Ilija Milutinovic

Best Case Scenario: At the first game of season, fans impressed by work he has put into his body. More muscle tone and ability to get up and down the court for longer periods of time. Begins to find his niche in the offensive system, earning minutes when Benson or Hudson in foul trouble/resting. Shows off ability to work hard, especially in the paint. Doesn't hit his stride until the conference season starts where he sets new personal highs in minutes played, points, rebounds, blocks, and all the individual statistical categories. Fans enthused by his play, earning him fan-favorite status. Play at end of season earns him consideration for major minutes in senior season sans Benson/Hudson.

Worst Case Scenario: Begins season in similar shape as past seasons. Tires easily and pushed around when earning opportunity to play. Emergence of Petros limits Ilija's playing time even when Benson/Hudson in foul trouble. Continues to be a supportive teammate from the bench while only playing in garbage minutes. Hopes he can play more in senior season.

What We're Hoping For: Free Ilija! We realize he has to earn those backup minutes, but we want to see more of Ilija this season. It's hard to believe he is already a junior, which means he has to start making his appearances count. If he can give Oakland some quality minutes off the bench, opposing big men will never be able to take a break when facing the Golden Grizzlies.

Best Case/Worst Case And Hopes: Sophomore Players

As we look ahead to the beginning of the 2010-11 season, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the best and worst case scenarios for each of the Oakland U basketball players. The expectations are quite high this year in Rochester, and many of the Golden Grizzlies ballers will need to have great seasons in order for the team to achieve the kind of success many are predicting. In writing several of these blurbs, we attempted to make them as fun as possible. Our goal is not to be discouraging of the players; in fact as dedicated fans, it's just the opposite. With that said, we hope a little humor here and there makes this a fun read, and please note wenever joke about injuries. Obviously, that would be a true "worst case," but we're not going there. After reading the various best and worst case scenarios we've concocted, there is also a line featuring our hopes for each player. Remember, this is just the perspective of one fan and should not be considered any kind of definitive word on the players. Next we take a look at those entering their sophomore year of eligibility.

Sophomores

Ledrick Eackles

Best Case Scenario: His play at the end of the season and in the NCAA Tournament make him the first option off the bench in 2010-11. Ends up playing both positions in the backcourt and, despite not starting, averages roughly the same amount of minutes as Larry Wright and becomes an emotional leader for the Golden Grizzlies. Becomes OU's third scoring option, averaging 12 points along with 4 boards, 3 assists, and about 1.5 steals per game. Also has career highs in all of those categories throughout the season, including one or two 25+ point games. Earns 6th Man of the Year honors and Summit League Honorable Mention at season's end. Defense continues to awe, with best games coming against power-conference opponents. At least one OU win attributed to his last-minute heroics. Ends season as a favorite to start in the backcourt with Hamilton and to be an all-conference player in 2011-12.

Worst Case Scenario: Continues to provide a spark off the bench with his defense and playmaking ability in transition. Doesn't find much consistency in the half-court offense, and struggles to figure out his role (run the offense or make his own plays) when on the court with Wright or Hamilton. The solid play of Bader and Bass clogs the backcourt a bit, so Ledrick's playing time is cut back as a result. A few big games scattered amongst several more clunkers make for a lackluster individual season. But fans quickly realize he's still got two years left.

What We're Hoping For: We're pretty big on Eackles here at the Gameplan, which probably helped paint our glowing "Best Case Scenario" for him. We feel he could be an all-league player very quickly but realize he's still only a sophomore. This season, we hope Ledrick finds some consistency so he's not on the bench for large chunks of the season. Oakland is clearly better when he's on the court, and we hope he can prove why that is all season long.

Drew Valentine

Best Case Scenario: The departure of Derick Nelson opens up space at the 3, giving Valentine the opportunity to play more than during his freshman campaign. Cushingberry starts games at Valentine's position, but he quickly becomes the first option off the bench at forward. He displays the same motor that won over fans last season, grabbing offensive rebounds and making an impact with hussle plays. Continues to show progression with his shooting and defensive ability. Looks a bit frazzled against upper-echelon teams, but shines in conference play where he is a more natural fit, gaining confidence in driving to the basket and getting to the line. An Oakland star-in-the-making is born.

Worst Case Scenario: Drew Maynard comes back from suspension and has a brilliant season, overcoming past defensive shortcomings. He and Cushingberry play Nelson-like minutes; consequently, Valentine only comes in for about 6-8 minutes per game. Not a scoring option when in the game, so must showcase his talent through rebounding and hussle. Continues to earn respect of coaches and fans. Ends season as valued member of team but still seeking chance to do more.

What We're Hoping For: Can we please have a breakout season from Valentine? We need someone to emerge at the forward position to help lock down opposing wings, grab rebounds, and play with consistency. The opportunity seems like it will be there for Valentine. We hope he capitalizes on it.

Best Case/Worst Case And Hopes: Freshmen Players

As we look ahead to the beginning of the 2010-11 season, we thought it would be fun to take a look at some of the best and worst case scenarios for each of the Oakland U basketball players. The expectations are quite high this year in Rochester, and many of the Golden Grizzlies ballers will need to have great seasons in order for the team to achieve the kind of success many are predicting. In writing several of these blurbs, we attempted to make them as fun as possible. Our goal is not to be discouraging of the players; in fact as dedicated fans, it's just the opposite. With that said, we hope a little humor here and there makes this a fun read, and please note we never joke about injuries. Obviously, that would be a true "worst case," but we're not going there. After reading the various best and worst case scenarios we've concocted, there is also a line featuring our hopes for each player. Remember, this is just the perspective of one fan and should not be considered any kind of definitive word on the players. First up is a look at the freshmen class.

Freshmen

Travis Bader (redshirt freshman)

Best Case Scenario: Gets first playing time in preseason exhibition, displays a knack for knocking down shots and hustling. Kampe plays him sparingly in first few games, often in the middle of the first half and during garbage time of one or two BCS blowouts. Continues to hit shots when called upon, establishing himself as a pure shooter for the Grizzlies. Sees his playing time increase during conference play where he can prove deadly against similar-bodied competition. While he isn't a featured guard yet, he ends season feeling confident about his expanding role.

Worst Case Scenario: Plays in exhibition game, putting on a show with his threes. Wealth of guards on the roster limits his opportunities during early season games. Oakland keeps all of the BCS-level games close so Bader only comes in for final seconds of each as a result. Supports team on the bench and in practice. Ends season slightly concerned about playing time, but Ricky Bieski pays him a visit, assuring him the program and fans will treat him well throughout his time at OU despite not being a featured player.

What We're Hoping For: We simply want to see Bader play. His addition to the roster before last season came as somewhat of a surprise, and since then there has always been a wondering on our part of what exactly this young man can do. Could he evolve his game and body to the point that one day he reminds us all of Erik Kangas? Or does he play garbage minutes and support the team from the bench for most of his career? Quite simply, we do not know. Coach Kampe and his staff probably have a firm idea of where they see Bader helping out this season as they've been working with him for a year, but for fans, 2010-11 will be our first chance to see what he's all about.

Ryan Bass

Best Case Scenario: Given chance to play based on early workouts and high expectations (not unlike Eackles' freshman season). Shows off athleticism and defensive skill from the get-go, earning 6-7 minutes per game off the bench. Logjam at guard prevents him from playing late in games but manages to make game-changing play when called upon while others in foul trouble. Everyone quickly realizes Bass is the point guard of the future. Fans get stoked about an uber-athletic backcourt featuring Bass and Eackles.

Ryan Bass has ups. (Screencap from Oakland Press video)

Worst Case Scenario: Combination of Wright, Hamilton, and Eackles makes it difficult for Bass to get onto the floor. Bader embraces his "Best Case Scenario," all but putting an end to any hopes Bass has of playing regularly. Still impresses when he gets a chance to play, but it just isn't enough time to prove what he can do. Still considered point guard of future, but fans are a little more uneasy about that proposition than if he were to have played more.

What We're Hoping For: Bass really impressed folks with some of his dunks at Grizz Madness. There is a kid playing for Ohio University this year by the name of D.J. Cooper who is a 5'11" sophomore guard with speed, athleticism, and tenacious defensive ability. He was also his conference's freshman of the year last season (and a guy Oakland will play against in a month). While Bass might not get the kind of minutes Cooper did in his freshman year, we're really hoping he is a similar player given some of the things they have in common. If he can come in and give the team quality minutes while showing flashes of greatness, we think fans will be very pleased.

Corey Petros

Best Case Scenario: Has a freshman season much like Drew Valentine's: lots of potential shown just not many chances to play because of the strength of those in front of him in the line-up. Used sparingly off the bench throughout the season and serviceable when given opportunity. Struggles mightily during first part of schedule, easily pushed around. Much better off against Summit League competition. Fans excited about possibilities for second season where he'll have endless opportunities with graduation of Benson and Hudson.

Worst Case Scenario: Has a freshmen season much like Jay Thames: one to two minutes per game every three games or so. Severely limited time makes it difficult to project his future capabilities. Uses lack of PT as motivation to get better for second season where he'll surely have a greater role.

What We're Hoping For: We can't wait to see this guy play a little bit more. He seems like a quality candidate to come in and do some of the little things that Will Hudson has been known for. It'd be nice to see enough of Petros this year to feel confident that he'll fill that void left when Hudson graduates at season's end.

Kyle Sikora

Best Case Scenario: Slight chance he doesn't redshirt, but it probably comes to this due to the fact he is still learning the game. He embraces the decision. Puts on weight and competes as hard as possible during practices. Learns a lot about the game of basketball from working with/against Benson, Hudson, and Ilija in practices. Actively supports teammates during games from the bench. Remains positive about his future with Oakland. Likes winter.

Worst Case Scenario: Frustrated over redshirt decision. Kampe tells him, "Two words: Keith Benson." Realizes it's best decision and works hard to get better for 2011-12 where his role will expand greatly. Doesn't like winter much but his new Northern friends introduce him to a fun-time activity called sledding.

What We're Hoping For: When you look back on the transformation of Keith Benson's body, it makes you really appreciate the fact he had a redshirt year. We think Sikora is likely destined for the same in his freshman season. However, we're not insiders, so who knows how this will all play out. If he does redshirt, let's hope Sikora can add some bulk to his frame and simply learn more about being a big man in The Summit League.

Walk-Ons:

Jordan Howenstine (sophomore) and Joey Asbury (freshman) are the new walk-ons for this season. In lieu of a fleshed out post on each, we just wish these guys a productive season helping the team in practice and from the sidelines. Judging solely by Kampe's handling of walk-ons over the past four years or so, our anticipation is that playing time will be limited for these fellas, but they're still a part of a Division I program. Enjoy the ride.

Transfer Sitting Out The Year:

Laval Lucas-Perry will sit this year out as a transfer from the University of Michigan. Lucas-Perry will have one year of eligibility as a Golden Grizzly. We hope he can use this year to get comfortable with Coach Kampe's style and improve his shooting touch even more. Who knows how he will be used in 2011-12, but one would anticipate at the very least that he'll be given the green light to shoot from downtown. Players often like to say that they go to the gym to "get their shots up," but we can only hope LLP "gets his shots in" during his year off.

Five Summit League Sophomores Looking To Break Out In 2010-11

The premiere talent in The Summit League is mostly concentrated in the league's upperclassman this season. There will be a bevy of juniors and seniors hoping to lead their teams to the championship while earning All-League individuals honors in the process. Some of them appeared on our "Top Five Players To Watch" list earlier in our conference preview series, but that list was more about the excitement that comes from watching a particular player than pure production. The truth is, if you are a fan of this league, then you know who the heavy hitters are heading into 2010-11. While we're anticipating big things from Keith Benson, Dominique Morrison, Alex Young, Michael Tveidt, and others, there are also a number of underclassmen who will be looking to break-out this year in hopes of earning an expanding role once their older teammates run out of eligibility. In compiling this list, I took into account all those players who will be sophomores this season and based the choice on what they accomplished last year, how their team will utilize them this year, and how they fit into the team's plans for the future. In addition, players were considered based on the all-encompassing "eye-test."

Damen Bell-Holter - Sophomore Forward, Oral Roberts

The 6'9", 240 pound Bell-Holter was Oral Roberts' only reliable big man off the bench last season, a role most would say he filled well considering he was just a freshman. While he averaged 4.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, he started to hit his stride during The Summit League tournament. Prior to his two matches in Sioux Falls, I had not paid much attention to DBH, if not only because Kevin Ford was Oral Roberts' go-to big man. But Ford got into some foul trouble in the tournament, and Bell-Holter was called upon to be a difference maker in the paint. He finished with 15 rebounds between the two games (his highest two-game total of the season) along with some modest scoring output. I came away impressed with his poise in those high-stress games. He'll need to carry over that confidence into this season as his role will likely expand to the point that he'll probably start for the Golden Eagles. He's got a big body and skills to make an impact this season. In fact, he might be the league's best sophomore this year.

David Gebru - Sophomore Center, Western Illinois

During the 2009-10 season, David Gebru only played about 13 minutes per game, mostly due to the fact that Western Illinois already had a decent center in James Granstra. Granstra has since left the team, meaning that Mr. Gebru (this has a nice ring to it) will likely have the opportunity to earn the starting center role in just his sophomore season. His numbers were unimpressive last season, especially in the rebounding department where he should have a natural advantage at 6'10" tall. This is likely explained by Gebru's lack of toughness and relatively frail frame. If that doesn't sound like someone you know, then you may not have watched Keith Benson during his freshman season. While Gebru may be world's away from being an NBA prospect, he has the kind of body and potential that make him an interesting case. If his coaches can develop him appropriately, Gebru could have a great career in The Summit League. This year, he needs to show he has made some progress during the off-season, and I think given more minutes, his numbers will surely rise.

Matt Hodgson - Sophomore Center, Southern Utah

Originally, I had wanted to choose Southern Utah's Matt Massey for this feature, as I was a bit more enthused by his play than Matt Hodgson last season. Alas, Massey is a year ahead of Hodgson (a sophomore), though both are very tall, very skinny ballers from Australia. Hodgson is the taller of the two, checking in at 6'11" and 225 pounds. His thin frame makes him an easy target for bigger and more athletic bigs, but fortunately for Matt, those guys are hard to find in The Summit League. Hodgson's numbers should jump up this year (from 6.3 points and 4.8 rebounds), but he's already doing two things very well: shooting and blocking. His 58% field goal percentage is otherworldly, even for a dude just relying on put-backs for a majority of his points. Additionally, he averaged a solid 2.2 blocks per game, meaning he at least knows how to take advantage of his size in that regard. Hodgson may not have the potential of a guy like Gebru, but he certainly fills a big need for Southern Utah. If he can stay out of foul trouble and make some plays, he'll definitely have a solid year for the Thunderbirds.

Kirk Korver - Sophomore Forward, UMKC

The man with the most famous last name in The Summit League: Kirk Korver. In the Great Plains region of the states, the Korver family is basketball royalty. A number of Korver boys have had very successful collegiate careers in this area, most notably brother Kyle who has stuck in the NBA primarily because of his sharp-shooting skills. Kirk Korver can certainly shoot the superhoop, but because he is one of the bigger guys on a relatively small UMKC squad, he's often relegated to the paint where he is usually overmatched. At just 6'7", UMKC still lists him as a "forward/center," which is quite sad given his ability on the perimeter. Korver's role is bound to expand this year, hopefully to the point where he can start to make plays for himself and his teammates. While he won't be the feature guy this season, there is a chance he can get to that point should he stick around in Kansas City. And Korver - the winner of the team's award honoring academic ability, moral character, and leadership - is certainly the kind of guy who Coach Matt Brown wants to hold onto.

Drew Valentine - Sophomore Forward, Oakland

I'm not sure any Oakland fan could predict what Drew Valentine's role will be for the Golden Grizzlies in 2010-11. He's a sort of classic tweener, in that his size suggests he's a guard, yet he plays more like a forward. In limited action last season, Valentine impressed with his ability to be in the right place at the right time. Even though he always seemed to be guarded by bigger guys, Drew found a way to grab a tough offensive rebound or make a difficult lay-up time after time. His overall numbers wouldn't indicate that he's anywhere close to breaking out, yet it's a possibility because there should be more playing time for him this season. He can fill a need at the small forward position provided his defense is solid, or he could end up playing a hybrid guard/forward role in certain scenarios. Whatever the case, Oakland fans know that Valentine plays tough and seems to make the most of his opportunities (as he did during OU's NCAA tourney game against Pittsburgh). This player has an important future with the Golden Grizzlies, and I think we will begin to find out why during his sophomore campaign.

Other Summit League Preview coverage:

- Five Summit League Players To Watch In 2010-11

The Roster: Now And Later

Over the course of the off-season, the Oakland University men's basketball received verbal commitments from two players. Matt Poches, a 6'4" guard from Hartland, announced his decision to come to Oakland in April, while the 6'6" Dante Williams of Ann Arbor gave his word in August. When paired with the arrival of Michigan transfer Laval Lucas-Perry, these additions bring the Golden Grizzlies roster to 13 scholarship players for the 2011-12 season. While it's always possible for players to transfer, get kicked off the team, or lose a scholarship, we're operating with the knowledge we have at present. With that said, the following table displays what the roster looks like from this year through the eligibility limits of the team's freshest recruits.

Oakland will have a fairly large senior class in 2011-12, which means that the next year will be an essential recruiting year for the coaching staff. They'll have five open scholarships to work with for the 2012-13 season and needs at nearly every position, most notably on the wing. Hopefully the program's recent momentum on the court will further spill over into its recruitment efforts. Whatever happens with recruiting, we'll be keeping this table updated to reflect any additions or subtractions.

Deciphering Laval Lucas-Perry's Game

The big news over the weekend was of the transfer of Laval Lucas-Perry to Oakland from the University of Michigan. The 21-year-old guard comes to Rochester with a scattered college basketball history which includes a five game stint at the University of Arizona and the one-and-a-half seasons he played with the Wolverines. Due to the fact he has already redshirted as a transfer student, Lucas-Perry will sit out the 2010-11 season for the Golden Grizzlies and lose a year of his eligibility. He'll then play out his one and only season in black and gold in 2011-12 as a senior.

Lucas-Perry brings with him to Oakland a bit of baggage, mostly resulting from his mysterious departure from Michigan. Off-the-court issues aside, LLP also underperformed while at Michigan, though Oakland fans will surely remember the three-point show he put on against the Grizzlies in 2008-09. In an effort to learn more about what the Flint-native did between that Oakland game (which was his first as a Wolverine) and now, we reached out to a few folks with an intimate knowledge of UM basketball. Their thoughts on the embattled guard's strengths, weaknesses, psyche, and overall talent are below.

Dylan Burkhardt of the venerable UMHoops.com had this to say of LLP's game:

Laval was an enigma during his two years in Ann Arbor. He was so up and down that is was frustrating to watch. His surprisingly good performances almost all single-handedly won Michigan games. The problem is that so many other games he would be almost invisible on the court.

Offensively he prefers to shoot, about 2 out of every 3 of his field goal attempts were from three point range, but he shot only 29% from distance last year. He has worked on becoming a point guard but didn't really make that shift in Ann Arbor. A lot of his struggles are mental, that much is clear as you could see his confidence disappear game by game. Laval isn't a great defender, mostly because he has the habit of picking up cheap fouls. He is a capable athlete for the Summit League though and should be fine. Hopefully Laval can land on his feet at OU. It seems like it should be a good fit and he might be able to find that confidence and put together a great season.

Maize n Brew Dave of MaizenBrew.com, SBNation's Wolverines blog, had this to offer on LLP:

It's tough trying to describe LLP's game. Not because he didn't play or because there's too much to get into. It's because LLP was just so maddeningly inconsistent. LLP was mostly a perimeter player who would occasionally go to the hole, but would look for the outside shot the majority of the time. If he possesses a mid-range jump shot, he never displayed it at Michigan, and for the most part he was a "live by the three die by the three" kind of player. As you can probably guess, that meant his on court lifespan was fairly short. LLP is an adequate defender, but not the type of player I'd want in crunch time defending anyone with a jump shot.

Here's the thing: I don't think he was a good fit for John Beilein's system so it's really hard for me to fairly evaluate him for any other type of system. The one thing I will say is that his jump shot is not good, from anywhere. If he can develop any kind of mid-range game I think he'll be able to contribute. But if he starts chucking threes that never find the net, I can't say that he's going to improve. Hopefully a year in a different system where he can get to the hoop a little more will help him contribute to the Grizzles. The biggest thing for Laval is confidence. If he's confident, he can be a good player.

Ryan Pravato, who spent some time as the Summit League correspondent for Rush The Court and has contributed UofM articles to Detroit4Lyfe.com, finalized the picture of Laval:

LLP probably will be a slightly worse version of Larry Wright. He is a very streaky shooter, definitely a shooting guard in a point guard's body. At the end of last season his confidence was shot, and in basketball (especially being a shooter) that's not good at all. He will either thrive at OU or continue just to be a mediocre/situational bench player at best, hard to see an inbetween for a guy with a limited skill set. If he ever gets that shooter's confidence back he can be an asset.

In reading the thoughts from several people who have spent much time analyzing Lucas-Perry, it is clear that he's suffered from inconsistency as a guard, largely due to lacking that mental confidence which strong shooters desperately need. If there is anything we know about Coach Greg Kampe's handling of shooters, it's that he continues to tell them to shoot. We've seen guys like Blake Cushingberry and Larry Wright slump in the past, only to rebound well after Kampe instructed them to "keep on shooting." Lucas-Perry has the chops to make a difference for Oakland in his one season, but the level of his impact will assuredly rest on how well he is shooting, especially from deep. Hopefully a year of practicing with the guys will help him find what he needs to prove his doubters wrong in 2011-12 while leaving college basketball with a renewed legacy.