JEFF ALLEN GAME PREVIEW: TOWSON STATE vs. OAKLAND
This is the first year of the Vegas Eight. This is an idea that is supposed to stay but we’ll see. Remember that the teams
in this tournament have not played in 15-24 days but based on the assumption that these teams have continued to practice
and that the school’s are paying something to be here you have to figure that all parties are still interested. In tonight’s first
round we look at a dichotomy of styles as Towson (20-12) out of the Colonial faces Oakland (21-11) out of the Horizon. The
Tigers were 4-5 in their L9 games and play at a crawl (No.301) on offense. The Golden Grizzlies are 10-3 in their L13 and
get up and down checking in at No.14 in the country in pace. The number is Oakland -6 and the high/low 160 at this writing.
Towson features four double digit scorers led by Arnaud William Adala Moto (13/9, 8.2, 1.8) a 6’6″ swing man that is a transfer
from Wake Forest. Byron Hawkins (13.4, 2.2, 2.2) and Mike Morsell (12.7, 4.2, 2.8) form the backcourt, both are sophomores
out of Fort Washington, Maryland and neither is especially dangerous shooting the ball. In fact, most of Towson’s offense will
come from inside the arc in a deliberate half court set.
The Oakland Golden Grizzlies feature the best player in the tournament in guard Kahlil Felder (24.1, 4.2, 9.8) who is a joy to
watch and will definitely find a home somewhere on the next level. He can shoot, play gritty defense and has excellent penetration
skills where he can either take the ball to the hole or kick it out to a wide open jump shooter. Jalen Hayes (13.9. 9.8) does the
dirty work on the glass. Max Hooper is a perimeter specialist. He averages 10.5 ppg and all 105 of his field goals have come
from down town.
Again, we have an interesting contrast in styles. Towson hasn’t played in 23 days, Oakland hasn’t played in 21. Towson was 9-4
outside the Colonial Conference but that came against the ninth weakest schedule in Division-I basketball. Oakland has the best
player in Felder and shoots the ball at 39.6% from beyond the arc. These games are being played in the massive Mandalay Bay
Convention Center so it remains to be seen how the depth and lighting will affect the snipers, particularly with so much time off.
In the end, have a lean on Oakland. The Grizz have a smart veteran coach in Greg Kampe who has 30 years at the school and
525+ wins. Oakland probably thinks it has a big shot to win this thing and it does.