It’s not hard to locate the top college basketball programs in the state of Michigan. But it’s a good idea for fans not to forget about smaller programs like the Oakland Grizzlies, which are a mid-major program worth checking out and watching closely. Compared to bigger programs, cheap Oakland basketball tickets are a little easier to find. That gives the Grizzlies incredible value because the level of play isn’t far behind the major conferences. The Grizzlies have made the long journey from the Division II level and managed to become a top-notch mid-major, creating plenty of demand for last-minute Oakland basketball tickets among fans who want to see quality basketball.

The Only One

With Oakland basketball, the only name anyone needs to know is Greg Kampe. He became the head coach of the Grizzlies in 1984 and never left, making him one of the longest-tenured coaches at one school in college basketball history. In the late 90s, Kampe turned the Grizzlies into a powerhouse at the Division II level, ultimately leading them to the Division I level. During the 1999-2000 season, Kampe guided Oakland to the Mid-Continent Conference regular-season title in the program’s first season in that conference. Over the next dozen years, the Grizzlies would reach the NCAA Tournament three times, cementing Oakland as a bonafide mid-major worth watching. Along the way, Kampe has stayed at Oakland while amassing well over 600 wins.

On the Horizon

Oakland’s initial success at the Division I level helped the Grizzlies keep moving up the college basketball hierarchy by joining the Horizon League in 2013. Within a few years, the Grizzlies won a share of the regular-season Horizon title for the first time. With Kampe still leading the way, Oakland has found a level of consistency that would make most mid-major programs jealous, indicating bright days on the horizon for the Grizzlies.