Kentucky Basketball
Every March, the NCAA basketball tournament kicks off, and true to tradition, surprises abound. This year was no different. The mighty Kentucky team faced an unexpected defeat against Oakland, losing 80-76. Despite being seeded third, the Wildcats couldn’t overcome the challenge posed by Oakland University, a lesser-known team from Oakland County, Michigan. Jack Gohlke of Oakland University stole the spotlight with his remarkable performance, scoring an impressive 10 3-pointers, narrowly missing out on a tournament record.
LET’S GO
📺 @CBSSportsCBB x @MarchMadnessMBB pic.twitter.com/Vje4Cjv3YH— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 22, 2024
Oakland Basketball
In the opening round of the 2024 March Madness on Thursday night, a fresh face emerged as the hero of the mid-major scene – Jack Gohlke. This seasoned guard, hailing from Pewaukee, Wisconsin, showcased his skills for Oakland University against Kentucky. With an impressive 21 points in the first half, including seven successful 3-pointers, Gohlke led his team, the Golden Grizzlies, to a 38-35 halftime lead against the Wildcats. Having transferred from Hillsdale College earlier in the season, Gohlke has swiftly made his mark on Oakland’s squad. Renowned for his sharpshooting abilities, he ranks among the nation’s top 3-point shooters, alongside teammate Blake Lampman. Before the game, Gohlke expressed confidence in his ability to maintain his stellar performance throughout the tournament in an interview with Kentucky Sports Radio.
Jack Gohlke
Oakland Golden Grizzlies
Oakland Golden Grizzlies, with a season record of 24 wins and 11 losses, will face off against NC State Wolfpack, who stand at 23 wins and 14 losses, in Pittsburgh on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. EDT. According to the Fanduel Sportsbook, the Wolfpack are favoured by 5.5 points with an over/under of 146.5.
In this NCAA Tournament second-round clash, NC State boasts a 14-11 record against ACC teams and holds a strong 9-3 record in non-conference play. They rank ninth in the ACC for rebounding, with Mohamed Diarra leading the Wolfpack with an average of 7.6 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, the Golden Grizzlies have been dominant in Horizon League play, securing an impressive 18-5 record.
When it comes to 3-point shooting, NC State averages 7.0 made shots per game, slightly less than the 8.3 made shots on average that Oakland allows. However, Oakland holds a slight edge in shooting accuracy, with a field goal percentage of 44.9% compared to NC State’s opponents’ average of 44.2%.
Key performers for NC State include Michael O’Connell, averaging 5.5 points per game, and D.J. Burns, who has been shooting an impressive 56.3% over the past 10 games while averaging 13.4 points and 3.1 rebounds.
In their last 10 games, NC State has maintained a record of 6 wins and 4 losses, averaging 77.8 points per game. On the other hand, the Golden Grizzlies have been on a hot streak, winning 9 out of their last 10 games and averaging 77.7 points per game.
While NC State’s opponents have averaged 75.6 points per game in their last 10 games, the Golden Grizzlies’ opponents have averaged 67.9 points during the same period.
Oakland University Basketball
After securing a thrilling 80-76 victory against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies are showing no signs of slowing down. This marks the team’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in a decade, following their impressive 83-76 triumph over Milwaukee in the Horizon League championship game last week.