The brackets are set, and UK’s first-round opponent is the Horizon League champs, the Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University. Let’s be clear right away, Oakland is absolutely a formidable first-round opponent for UK. They have veteran players, a proven coach, absolute 3-point snipers, and a post (yes, he’s undersized) who is a double-double machine. Also of importance, they play a very unique defensive style that UK has not seen at all this season. Here’s everything BBN needs to know about the Golden Grizzlies

Oakland’s Offense

Oakland is a really solid offensive team. They have a couple of “lights out” 3-point shooters, they have a double-double post scorer, and some role players who execute the offensive scheme. But it all starts with senior 3-pt specialist Jack Gohlke. On the season, Gohlke is shooting 37% from 3-point territory, but he’s taken an INSANE amount of 3’s. Gohlke has attempted 327 3-point shots on the season, making 121 of them. His 121 made-3’s leads the nation. On the entire season, he has attempted 8 TOTAL shots INSIDE of the 3-pt line. His single-game high for 3-point shots attempted on the season is TWENTY against Northern Kentucky. Quick release, no conscience, great coming off screens, and honestly, you won’t see him take more than two dribbles.

The most important player is definitely Trey Townsend. His stat line from the Horizon Tournament championship was bonkers: Townsend had 38 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists. He’s a really good overall basketball player. He’s undersized at 6’6, but don’t let that fool you. He has textbook footwork in the post, and he’s used to being undersized, so nothing new to him vs UK. He pivots, re-pivots, great shot-fake, has a complete turn-around/fade-away game, and gets to the FT-line (14-18 in tourney championship). I think good comparisons for him are Grant Williams from Tennessee and former Cat Trey Lyles. Townsend is NOT a threat from 3-pt land though.

The other player that’s definitely being discussed on UK’s scouting report for Oakland is senior guard Blake Lampman. This 6’3 guard averages 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists on the season. And yes, he’s another sniper from 3-point territory. Lampman and Gohlke combine for an average of 18 3-point attempts per game, combining to make 37% of those. By the numbers, the combo of Gohlke and Lampman actually combine for more 3-point attempts than Reeves, Rob, Reed, and DJ combined. Lampman is an elite FT shooter (95%), which hopefully won’t come in handy late in the game. He’s more of a driver and PG than Gohlke, but has a quick release from 3, and the confidence to go along with it.

Oakland on the Defensive End

Oakland’s unique defense could give the Cats trouble, at least early on. The “bread and butter” defense for Oakland right now is their 1-3-1 zone. The 1-3-1 is much rarer than a 2-3 zone or a 1-2-2 zone, you just don’t see it often. But Oakland’s 1-3-1 zone has matchup principles to it – it’s a unique zone and impossible to replicate in UK’s practice. There’s NOT a great deal of size to it – the biggest player is only 6’9 – but that’s why they use the matchup principles. One of the most underrated aspects of this zone: controlling the pace of the game. Oakland does NOT want a track meet, and their zone will help guarantee that. Opponents have to move the ball, have to shift the zone, and that takes time.

Based on the Oakland games I’ve studied, their zone doesn’t give up as many open looks as a 2-3 zone. UK WILL get some open looks, I’m not worried about that. But Oakland closes out hard to the 3-point line, which SHOULD create some shot-fake drives for the Cats. Ohio St, Milwaukee, and Fort Wayne all had success with lobs for dunks. If UK’s guards can penetrate the zone, it’ll collapse and leave Ugo/BigZ/Mitchell/Bradshaw open for dunks. I’m not a Vegas guru, but I’ll set the over/under on UK alley-oops at 4.5. The Cats can NOT settle for 3-point shots. They have to attack the zone. Look for ball movement, driving gaps, and finding open shooters or open 7-footers for dunks.

Final thoughts: This is a game Kentucky SHOULD win. The Cats have the size advantage, dynamic guards that can create and shoot, and enough weapons to score in bunches. Coach Cal may or may not use a press, but look for him to find ways to speed up the pace. I guarantee Oakland is going to try to limit possessions and slow down the game. But for a Kentucky team that really struggles to guard, there is most definitely reason for concern going up against the likes of Gohlke, Lampman and Townsend. Look for Reeves to chase Gohlke everywhere, Adou to matchup with Townsend and be a physical presence to limit him, and for the Cats to really push the pace in transition. GO CATS!