Gameday Central – Oakland
Video: Are You Ready for the #MetroSeries?
DETROIT (1/12/2016) -- Get your blue Titan shirt on and get down to Calihan Hall to help cheer on the Titans as the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team host its #MetroSeries rival Oakland this Saturday, Jan. 16.
Game time is set for 3:00 p.m., on Dick Vitale Court and it will be a UDM basketball doubleheader with the women's team facing Northern Kentucky at Noon before the Titans battle the Golden Grizzlies at 3:00 p.m.
It will be a
BLUEOUT in historic Calihan Hall as all fans should wear blue to the game in support of the Titans.
The contest will feature two of the highest scoring teams in the nation and the top two offensive teams in the Horizon League as Oakland leads the HL and is eighth in the nation averaging 85.6 points, while Detroit is second in the conference and 16th in the country tallying 84.6 points per game.
The two programs also rank in the top three in the Horizon League in field goal percentage, three-point field goal percentage and three-point field goals per game.
The Titans come into the game at 9-6 overall and 3-1 in the HL – tied for second place – while Oakland is 10-7, 2-2 in league play.
Detroit and Oakland branded the annual rivalry last year as the Metro Rivalry Cup will be awarded each season to the most head-to-head victories over the course of the academic year. Separated by just 26 miles, Detroit and Oakland are the only Division I schools located in the Metro Detroit area as the Golden Grizzlies and Titans compete in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, women's tennis, men's and women's track and field.
The winner of each competition will be awarded points, with cross country, golf and track and field being decided by the highest finish at the Horizon League
Championships.
Detroit and Oakland have both witnessed attendance highs at the men's basketball games as Detroit has seen over 12,000 come out to Calihan Hall in the past two years to take in the #MetroSeries.
The game will be televised locally on WADL-TV 38 as well as streamed online at ESPN3.com and the Watch ESPN App, with
Denny Kapp and Earl Cureton on the call. Fans can listen to the Voice of the Titans
Dan Leach on an online audio stream on 97.1 (available online or on your phone with the Tunein or Radio.com APP). Live stats will also be available.
Tickets are going fast and start at just $10. To purchase tickets, call the Titan Ticket Office at 313-993-1700 or visit
detroittitans.com/tix.
DETROIT VS. OAKLANDThis is the 17th career meeting between the two schools, located roughly 26 miles apart.
Detroit leads the series, 12-4, although Oakland has taken three of the last four meetings since it joined the Horizon League.
The Titans are also 12-1 at home all-time against the Golden Grizzlies.
ABOUT THE GOLDEN GRIZZLIESOakland has played a pretty tough non-conference schedule and comes into the game at 10-7 overall, 2-2 in the Horizon League. Oakland has league wins over Cleveland State and UIC with losses to Youngstown State and Valparaiso.
The team is led by Kay Felder, who leads the conference in scoring (25.8) and assists (8.7), while ranking third in steals (2.1). Percy Gibson is tallying 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Jalen Hayes is averaging 12.0 points and a team-high 7.9 rebounds per game.
Oakland tops the HL in scoring at 85.6 points and is seventh in scoring defense allowing 78.6 points per game.
LOOKING AHEADIt will be a quick turnaround for Detroit as they hit the road immediately to face Wright State on Monday, Jan. 18. That game will start a three-game road trip as UDM travels to the Wisconsin schools next weekend.
DON'T GET OUT OF YOUR SEATSThe match-up features the top two scoring teams in the Horizon League:
Oakland 85.6 - Detroit 84.6
The top two three-point shooting teams
Detroit 39.8% - Oakland 39.0%
Two of the top 3 teams in the HL in FG%
Detroit 45.4% - Oakland 44.7%
Two of the top 3 teams in 3FG per game
Detroit 9.1 - Oakland 8.9
OFF TO A QUICK STARTThe Titans are 3-1 in the Horizon League and with a win, they will be 4-1 in the league for the first time since 2009-10.
STRONG AT HOMEDetroit saw its 12-game home winning streak snapped by Valparaiso its last time out, but UDM is still 9-1 on Dick Vitale Court this season and winners of 12 out of its last 13 home games.
On the year, Detroit is averaging 89.6 points at home and allowing 77.7, all while shooting 48.6 percent from the field.
POINTS, POINTS, POINTSThe Titans have had great offense all year as they are 16th in the nation - and second in the HL - in scoring averaging 84.6 points per game (as of Jan. 13). UDM trails Oakland in the HL by just one point (85.6).
The 84.6 points through 15 games is the best offensive start since Detroit averaged 92.6 points during the 1977-78 season under head coach Dick Vitale.
The Titans have also scored 90 or more points five times this year, the most since registering 90 or more five times during the 1991-92 campaign.
OFFENSIVE ATTACKDetroit has scored at least 75 points in 11 of its 15 games, including 88 or more seven times and 90 or more on five occasions.
UDM has also made at least 30 field goals six times this season and has posted 39 twice on the year (UM-Dearborn, at Oral Roberts).
The Titans are currently second in the Horizon League in shooting at 45.4 percent on the year, just a hair behind Milwaukee's 46.4.
Against UM-Dearborn, the Titans were 39-of-68 from the field (57.4%), including 15-of-27 (55.6%) from behind the arc.
In the win over Toledo, Detroit shot 49.1 percent (27-of-55) from the field and 48.1 percent (13-of-27) from three, while in the win over Bowling Green, the Titans shot 47.1 percent (32-of-68) with 13 triples.
In the win over UCF, the Titans shot 51.7 percent (30-of-58), while in the triumph over Youngstown State, UDM was 33-of-69 (47.8%) and 25-of-29 (86.2%) at the line.
Against Cleveland State, Detroit shot 45.8 percent (27-of-59) and was 28-of-42 at the free throw line, while vs. UIC, the Titans were 26-of-57 (45.6%) and 31-of-39 (79.5%) at the line.
WHO WILL SCORE?Detroit has had five different Titans lead the team in scoring this season.
UDM has also had six different players net 20 or more in a contest, four players averaging double figures and four or more players in double figures 10 times in a game.
The depth was evident in the win over Bowling Green as Detroit led by double digits in the second half before the team's leading scorer
Chris Jenkins even netted his first point on a free throw to make it 64-52 with 11:22 left.
CLEANING THE GLASSDetroit totaled a season-high 53 rebounds in the win over Youngstown State, outrebounding the Penguins by 33 (53-20).
The 53 boards were the most since grabbing 55 against Niagara in a 96-77 win in 2010.
It was the third time this season Detroit has recorded 45 or more boards as it had 52 against Central State and 45 at Oral Roberts.
Detroit has outrebounded its opponent in six of the last eight games and a total of nine times on the year.
The Titans are also 7-2 on the season when outrebounding their counterpart.
THE EXTRA PASSThe Titans totaled 18 assists in their win over Youngstown State, tied for the second most on the season with the 18 against Central State and behind the 22 versus UM-Dearborn.
Detroit is currently fifth in the HL in assists at 13.6 per contest and has accumulated double-digit assists 12 times already.
UDM is 7-0 on the season when it records more assists than its opponent.
MAKING THEM COUNTThe Titans' three ball may not be falling for them in the last few games, but they are attacking the rim and getting a chance at some easy points.
Detroit has visited the free throw line 140 times in the last four games, connecting on 105 (75.0%).
Detroit was 31-of-39 (79.5%) at the line in the win over UIC, setting a season high in made free throws.
That was after going 25-of-29 (86.2%) in the win over Youngstown State and 28-of-42 (66.7%) in the triumph over Cleveland State.
The 42 free throws were the most since attempting 43 against Stony Brook in 2013.
After going 21-of-30 its last time out against Valparaiso, Detroit has now made 20 or more free throws six times on the season, including in four-straight contests.
I SEE PARIS TWICESophomore
Paris Bass - who missed the first seven games due to a suspension for violation of team rules - has been a force on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
He just posted his second double-double of the season and sixth of his career with 16 points and 10 rebounds against Valparaiso.
He also had a double-double with 28 points - 20 in the second half - 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals against Cleveland State.
The 13 boards and four steals were one shy of his career high, while the three blocks tied his career best.
BASS IS BACKSophomore
Paris Bass returned to action in a big way against Bowling Green as the reigning HL Freshman of the Year posted a team-high 25 points, while tallying eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. In his second game, he tallied 23 points in a win over UCF.
It was the first time he recorded back-to-back 20-point games in his career.
Since he returned to the court, he has recorded double figures in seven of his eight contests, pulled down seven rebounds in five games and has had three assists or more six times, not to mention three 20-point outings and two double-doubles.
He is averaging 17.8 ppg., 6.6 rpg., and 2.9 apg., and would rank fifth in the HL in scoring if he had enough games to qualify.
WILSON!, OH WILSON!Senior
Anton Wilson was a man on a mission in the HL opening win over Youngstown State as he posted a career-high 34 points – including 26 in the second half.
Wilson was a career-best 10-of-18 shooting and 11-of-11 at the line with three treys.
Wilson tied his career high of 21 before he even hit his first three of the game.
The 34 points were the most by a Titan since
Juwan Howard Jr. had 34 against Valpo in 2014.
He is one of seven HL players to net 30 or more in a game this season with his 34 markers tying for the fifth most in the HL.
WHAT A SENIOR YEARSenior
Anton Wilson now has 14 double-digit scoring games on the year with three 20-point efforts as he led Detroit with 23 points his last time out against Valparaiso.
He is currently leading the team in scoring at 15.7 ppg., - fifth in the HL. His 45 treys lead UDM and his 3.0 three-point field goals per game is tied for second in the HL and 33rd in the nation.
BASS NAMED TO LOU HENSON AWARD MIDSEASON WATCH LISTSophomore
Paris Bass was selected to the Lou Henson Award Preseason Watch List and he is still a candidate for the award as he was recently named to the Mid-Season Watch List.
He is one of four Horizon League players on the list joining Oakland's Kay Felder, Milwaukee's Matt Tiby and Valpo's Alec Peters.
The Lou Henson Award is presented annually to the Mid-Major player in Division I college basketball.
The award is named in honor of Lou Henson who coached 41 years. When he left the game in 2005 he was sixth all-time in career Division I wins with 779. He is the winningest coach at both Illinois and New Mexico State. He is one of only 12 coaches in the history of the game to take two schools to the Final Four.
The recipient of the award will be announced at the CollegeInsider.com Award Presentation on April 1 in Houston, site of the men's Division I national championship.
DOUBLE-UP CHRISJunior
Chris Jenkins has scored in double figures 10 times already, which includes two 20-point games, a career high in points and three double-doubles.
He netted his career-high 26 points with 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists in the win over UCF.
He has also tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds against Toledo - where he also has a career-best four blocks, and that came after tallying 14 points and six rebounds in the win over Northeastern.
At No. 16/13 Vanderbilt, he netted 11 points hitting three 3-pointers and registered a career-high four steals. At Oral Roberts, Jenkins had 16 points and a career-tying 13 rebounds, and he started the streak with a then career-high 25 points against UM-Dearborn.
On the year, the do-it-all Titan has:
- 10 games in double figures
- 11 games with five or more rebounds
- 8 games with two or more assists
- 4 games with two or more steals.
He is currently second on the team and is 12th in the HL in scoring (13.2), while standing second on the team and 11th in the league in field-goal percentage (48.8%).
He is also among the team leaders and the top 15 in the Horizon League in:
Free throw percentage (86.7%) - 3rd
Rebounding (6.5) - 9th
3-Point Field Goal Percentage (43.1%) - 11th
Steals (1.1) - 12th
TRIPLE 3 SPECIALITYAnton Wilson started the season with back-to-back games hitting four 3-pointers, and he added another game with four treys at #16/13 Vanderbilt. He also hit a season-high five treys vs. Bowling Green, one off his career best.
Wilson has now made a triple in all 15 games this season.
He also has 15 career game with four or more treys, 77 career games with at least two 3-pointers and 28 games knocking down at least three treys.
#1 SHOOTING 3'SSharpshooting senior
Anton Wilson continues to make his name show up in the Titan record books.
He shot 41.8 percent from behind the arc last season, a number that ranks sixth in school history as he was 56-of-134 from long distance.
This season, he is hitting the three at 45.0 percent (45-of-100).
His 45, 3-pointers on the season are just 11 behind his career-high of 56 last year.
With his four triples in the season opener, he passed Titan legend and 12-year NBA veteran Willie Green and is now sixth in school history with 164 career 3-pointers.
He is also currently third in UDM history with a 41.2 three-point field goal percentage.
