More than : Oakland thrives despite superstar’s early departure to NBA

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By Adam Biggers 12/20/2016

ROCHESTER, Mich. — Kay Felder’s decision to forgo his senior year and hop into the 2016 NBA Draft was supposed to be the beginning of the end for the Oakland Golden Grizzlies.

The absence of one of the most exciting scorers in recent memory was supposed to leave ’s program in shambles this season, said critics.

No Kay, no success, they said.

They were wrong.

Kay Felder is one of the greatest to ever play at Oakland, but the game at OU hasn’t stopped in his absence. Photo: Andy Shippy | FanRag Sports

“I think we kind of have a group of guys who have a chip on their shoulder,” said Kampe, who’s seen progression with nearly every player. “When Kay announced that he was going into the NBA, everybody seemed to write our death warrant for this year. Our guys were kind of upset about that. They felt like we were a pretty good team last year, not just a single player…”

One year ago, the offense revolved around Felder, who averaged 24.2 points per game — fourth-most in the nation — and led the country in assists, averaging 9.3 per game. On Dec. 22, 2015, Felder scored 38 points during Oakland’s 99-93 double-overtime loss to the then 15-0 and No. 1-ranked Spartans.

He was so good that MSU coach called the display one of the best ever at The Palace of Auburn Hills, the home of the and site of the game.

Naturally, no coach wants to lose such a player — but that’s a part of the process. Rather than closing up shop, 1/3 Kampe challenged his program. Sure, the Grizzlies just lost a potent scorer, but they’ve grown in other areas — areas which didn’t get as much attention during Felder’s tenure.

“The big difference in our team is that we have a wing protector that we haven’t had since left (in 2011). Isaiah Brock blocked seven shots against Robert Morris, so…” said Kampe, noting that Oakland boasts an 11-man- deep roster. “Defensively, having a shot blocker really has changed things for us.”

At 6-foot-8 and 191 pounds, Brock, a freshman, could present problems for State, which has very little interior presence, other than freshman forward Nick Ward. Brock may not push around Ward, but he’ll certainly make life difficult in the paint and battle for rebounds.

And, of course, he’ll block shots. He averages two per game.

Sherron Dorsey-Walker is one of several scoring options for Oakland. Photo: Andy Shippy | FanRag Sports

In terms of defensive field goal percentage, opponents convert 37 percent of chances (No. 19 overall). One year ago, the Grizzlies scored 86 points per game with Felder. This year, they’re averaging roughly 84 per game. In 2015, the gave up roughly 78 points per game. This year, they’re giving up 66 points per game.

Martez Walker, a junior, averages a team-high 18.5 points per game and has the ability to take over when needed. So does senior Sherron Dorsey-Walker, who scored 27 against Oral Roberts — which trailed by as many as 40 during a 92-64 loss to Oakland — and has more than doubled his assist totals when compared to 2015 (1.4 to 3.5 APG).

The Grizzlies averaged 16 assists per game in 2015. They’re up to 20 right now, further demonstrating their continuity and growth.

“We’ve played 10 games this year, and we’ve had a 13-point lead or higher in every game,” Kampe said. “The only game we lost (82-78 to Nevada), we had a 16-point lead at halftime. Statistically, we’ve been pretty impressive.”

At 9-1, Oakland has separated itself from the Kay Felder Grizzlies, who were 7-3 at this time in 2015. No longer a one-man show, OU has a roster full of contributors. 2/3 At this point in 2015, the Grizzlies had already faced two high-majors — Georgia and Washington — prior to meeting the Spartans. They’ve yet to play such an opponent thus far, but they look forward to testing themselves at Michigan State on Wednesday in East Lansing.

“We’ve come so close to winning, and we’ve never been able to find a way to win the game,” said Kampe, who routinely schedules high-majors for the same reason Izzo puts his team through hell in November and December.

“The ball rolled around the rim, didn’t go in last year — they were the No. 1-ranked team in the country at the time, and it would have been a huge win. But it was a loss. We still haven’t beaten them.”

They’re always learning experiences, though. Every single one of them.

“Down” or not, Kampe knows what to expect when he matches wits against Izzo.

“They’re Michigan State. They’re the gold standard of basketball in this state, and one of them in the country,” said Kampe, who’s confident that Izzo’s Spartans will rebound from a 7-5 start. “So that’s who they are. We have the utmost respect for that.

“We prepare for them as if they are the gold standard.”

With that said, Kampe has one of the most well-rounded teams of his three-plus decade tenure at Oakland. He’s got passers, shooters and defenders — all in tune, and all ready to make room for whomever decides to lead the charge at any given time.

Contrary to popular belief, Oakland has the necessary ingredients to survive without Kay Felder, who pushed his team to the brink but couldn’t seal the deal on a title and NCAA tournament-berth. He was a great player, one of the most dynamic of his generation.

Beyond a “special” player, Kampe has said on several occasions.

But considering recent trends, Oakland may end up going further without Felder.

Follow Adam Biggers of FanRag Sports on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

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