Oakland Golden Grizzlies

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies play home games at the Athletics Center O'rena in Rochester, Michigan, a program that has become known for producing NCAA tournament upsets on the biggest stage. Oakland's rise from a young Division I program to a legitimate bracket threat has made it one of the Horizon League's most talked-about teams in recent years. The Golden Grizzlies play with a chip on their shoulder that has translated into real March moments.

Oakland basketball began in 1967, competing in Division II before moving up to Division I in 1997. The Golden Grizzlies have made four NCAA tournament appearances, and their signature win came in the 2023-24 season, when the 14-seed Golden Grizzlies won the Horizon League tournament and then upset No. 3 seed Kentucky 80-76 in the Round of 64. That upset put Oakland squarely on the national college basketball map.