Oakland playing good basketball at the right time...

So far in the month of February, Oakland Men's basketball team is undefeated. This past week they had two road games. Lately the guys have been struggling on the road, losing 4 straight on the road. However, Thursday my boys dominated Western Illinois University, then yesterday they had to travel to a small but hostel environment at IUPUI. Again, the guys pulled off the victory, after almost blowing the lead late in the game.

Oakland has been on a roll thanks to our bench. Earlier in the year, our bench was a non factor, especially on the road. However things are starting to change. Freshman Blake Cushingberry came off the bench to score a career high 24 points and hitting 4 threes. Blake has become a more consistent score for Oakland in the month of February. The best part about him, is that he plays solid defense, and he is only a freshman.

Drew Maynard is another freshman that is starting to pick up is pace again. Earlier in the year Maynard was playing very solid, averaging around 8 points a game. However in the month of January, it seemed like Maynard hit a brick wall and you could tell he lost his confidence. He started to pass up open shots, and when he would shoot, it seemed like it didn't really want too. However that changed against IPFW last week. He knocked down 3 threes, and played a very productive game. After that game Drew seems to have is swagger back, and its back to the Drew of old. Drew has not been lighting the world on fire, but he is being productive. If he can average around 7-11 points per game in the tournament, we will be tough to beat.

Over the past couple of years I have been very critical of Dan "the man" Waterstradt. Dan did get hurt against ORU the first go around. The injury seemed to be effecting him the next few games, he was very unproductive, and he couldn't do anything right. Now Dan seems like he is 100% and is playing much better basketball. I have to give Dan is credit. He is playing like he wants an NCAA Bid. He is playing much better defense, and is getting boards when earlier in the year he wouldn't be. He is also starting to produce on the offensive end. Thursday against WIU he scored 10 points. Dan is not much of a scorer, but if he cant get us around 5-6 points a game during the tournament, and play good defense, it will be a bonus.

I believe these 3 guys hold the keys for us in the NCAA tournament. If they can be productive in the conference tournament, and supplement Kangas, Jones, and Benson we wont be stopped. Likewise if these guys fail to show up, we wont make it far in the tournament. Oakland's faith lies with these guys.