NCAAB Game Preview - Michigan State at Oakland
Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:00 PM EST

E KY
67
Lou
99
F
UMKC
57
Kansas
98
F
Oreg
71
Mich
70
F(OT)
Gonz
84
Ariz
80
F
GaTec
53
KY
67
F
StLou
61
Aub
67
F
Mem
51
Tenn
47
F
Drake
47
Dayt
78
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MSU
72
Oakl
49
F
South
41
Butl
66
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Del
70
Vill
78
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Seton
48
Rut
68
F
Xav
78
Wake
80
F
KSU
61
MissSt
67
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IPFW
65
IUPUI
74
F
App
81
How
59
F
Syr
79
GTown
89
F
Princ
80
FaDi
65
F
Dart
76
Boston
78
F
(N/A)
60
Elon
91
F
Tuls
79
Ark
98
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Nich
57
WVU
83
F
NJIT
71
StFNY
73
F
TN-M
72
UNCA
91
F
(N/A)
79
JU
93
F
IL-C
65
DeP
86
F
HolyC
72
Canis
80
F
CenMI
76
Tex
87
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LIU
74
Rider
89
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Duques
71
Radf
49
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Bama
71
PSU
73
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AlaAM
74
Mia-FL
88
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Morg
68
LaSal
85
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Merrim
63
Hartfo
71
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NCC
71
CoCar
91
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Army
89
Buff
76
F
UCLA
61
ND
75
F
Lamar
50
TCU
79
F
AF
79
Denv
75
F
NFla
72
USM
69
F
MTSU
64
Miss
82
F
Toled
80
Detr
72
F
Web
49
Utah
60
F
UCSB
61
S UT
62
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(N/A)
50
StBon
75
F
HiPt
64
FAU
81
F
Campbl
67
ECU
79
F
Mayv
60
SDak
96
F
Sac
58
SCla
60
F
USF
91
CS-Ful
69
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UL
59
LaTec
77
F
Charl
71
Rich
78
F
Winth
73
Furm
80
F
ArkPB
46
OrSt
80
F
ASU
57
Bois
100
F
Okla
75
WichSt
80
F
ODU
55
Ill
69
F
Stan
78
SJSU
58
F
CSBak
70
Ida
76
F(OT)
NMSt
62
NM
69
F
Evans
72
WIGB
62
F
Niag
80
Albany
84
F
W MI
59
Manh
58
F
Colg
67
Cin
66
F
WilBa
59
NOrl
103
F
(N/A)
54
Gram
82
F
CenAR
79
Pepp
92
F
BYU
68
UtSt
64
F
UGA
59
AzSt
79
F
E IL
75
WIMil
68
F
Lib
61
Vand
56
F
HCU
84
Rice
96
F
(N/A)
57
ORU
69
F
Stony
78
Prov
82
F
(N/A)
63
UAB
75
F
N CO
74
Wyo
53
F
ULM
59
SFA
66
F
NoAZ
79
UtVal
73
F
Fres
62
CAPoly
37
F
BethC
68
CBU
87
F
UCDav
54
USD
58
F
(N/A)
63
UCIrv
120
F
StMar
89
Cal
77
F
Oakland gets another crack at No. 16 Michigan St.
Fri Dec 13, 2019 2:55 AM

While Michigan State plays its share of marquee games in some of the most notable arenas in the country, Oakland only gets that opportunity once in a while.

The mid-major that plays in the Horizon League and sits only about an hour or so away from the Michigan State campus will almost always play a tough nonconference schedule, but taking on the Spartans is usually the highlight of the season.

This time, the Golden Grizzlies (5-5) and No. 16 Spartans (6-3) will square off at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, home of the NBA's Detroit Pistons and the NHL's Detroit Red Wings.

"I think what you've got to realize is that this is their Madison Square Garden game," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. "And for their guys, it's really an unbelievable opportunity not only to play in an arena like that -- it's usually been a packed house -- but then to play a team like us, to be honest with the you."

The teams have been playing each other on a fairly regular basis for the better part of the last 20 seasons. Most of those games have been played at Michigan State, but a handful were played at The Palace -- the old home of the Pistons -- and this is the second meeting to be played in Detroit.

Oakland has pushed Michigan State to the limit but hasn't won in 17 meetings. It's the tight games that keep Izzo and the Spartans from overlooking the Grizzlies, not to mention the regular upsets taking place around the country.

"We're approaching this game as a big game for a lot of reasons," Izzo said. "No. 1, we have to start getting better now, but I think we're approaching it that way because history has shown that they play us well every year."

The Spartans are taking a quick break from Big Ten play before resuming conference action next week. Taking on Oakland in the meantime means the focus will have to remain.

"They're just a pesky team," Michigan State sophomore Aaron Henry said. "They're always competing, always play hard. Last year, even though we won by a significant amount, the game felt closer than what it really was. It's just a team that competes and you can't overlook teams like this. This is where you can slip up and fall and you've just got to play the game and not play the opponent."

While Michigan State is rebounding from early setbacks, Oakland is coming off a tough loss at Bowling Green. In a game against one of the favorites to win the Mid-American Conference, the Grizzlies rallied back to take the lead only to watch it disappear in the final minutes.

Veteran coach Greg Kampe was upset about not closing the deal but at least saw some positives heading into the Michigan State game.

"The good is we took maybe the top team in league right to the wire on their court," Kampe said. "We know we can be there and we can compete (as we move forward). But we didn't win and now we've got to learn how to finish."

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Michigan State  
Oakland  

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