Oakland University

Oct. 20, 2009

2008-09 Final Stats

ROCHESTER, Mich. - Oakland University received 34 of 35 first-place votes and became the overwhelming favorite to win the 2009-10 Summit League Men's Basketball Championship, announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon. Senior point guard Johnathon Jones was selected as the Player of the Year in the preseason poll.

"Obviously, I think we all knew this was going to happen when you look at all we had coming back," said Greg Kampe who enters his 26th season as head coach. "I'm happy that the coaches in the league would recognize us and the fact that we have some pretty good players with three being named to the preseason all-league team. The only thing that really matters are what the records are in the end. We understand that and we're really looking forward to getting started."

Jones, a native of Okemos, Mich., broke the single-season league record with 290 assists last year and led the NCAA with 8.1 per game. He averaged 13.3 points per game and tallied six double-doubles. Jones is joined on the preseason all-league first team by senior Derick Nelson (17.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg/2007-08) who redshirted last season, and junior Keith Benson (14.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg) who led the conference with 10 double-doubles.

The preseason poll consisted of voting from the league's head coaches, sports information contacts and selected media. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their team or players.

Following the Golden Grizzlies in the poll was Oral Roberts (426) who edged out IUPUI (422) who received the only other first-place vote. After the Jaguars was South Dakota State (401), last year's champion North Dakota State (303), IPFW (265), Southern Utah (250), Western Illinois (176), UMKC (141) and Centenary (89).

Other all-league first team selections were Davis Baker (SUU), Garrett Callahan (SDSU) and Robert Glenn (IUPUI). The second team consisted of Anthony Cordova (SDSU), Kevin Ford (ORU), Dominique Morrison (ORU), Michael Tveidt (NDSU) and Deilvez Yearby (IPFW).

The Golden Grizzlies will open up the season with an exhibition versus Hope College on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. ET. The game can be watched and followed via live stats on ougrizzlies.com.

2009-10 PRESEASON VOTING

Rank	School (first-place votes)	Pts.
 1.	Oakland (34)	                520
 2.	Oral Roberts	                426
 3.	IUPUI (1)	                422
 4.	South Dakota State	        401
 5.	North Dakota State	        303
 6.	IPFW	                        265
 7.	Southern Utah	                250
 8.	Western Illinois	        176
 9.	UMKC	                        141
10.	Centenary	                 89

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