65 Teams in 65 Days: #55 Oakland

Location: Rochester, MI
Nickname: Golden Grizzlies
Conference: Summit League
Last Year’s Record: 23-13

Oakland Center Keith Benson

Why they’ll make it: The Grizzlies return much of a team that finished third in the Summit last season. Five of the top six players in their rotation are back including senior Johnathon Jones and junior Keith Benson. The two of them finished in the top-20 in scoring in the conference last season and look to take on more of a role this season. Throw in top-100 recruit Ledrick Eackles from Louisiana and the Grizzlies look primed to make a serious push for the Big Dance.

Why they won’t make it: Oakland may be the favorite, but IUPUI will be nipping at its heels. The Jaguars finished right behind the Grizzlies in the conference standings last season and return much of that team. Robert Glenn and Alex Young are back, so there will be plenty of firepower in the lineup. They will not only better last season’s .500 record, but they’ll be ready to push the Grizzlies.