The Oakland Golden Grizzlies are set to face the Youngstown State Penguins on January 1, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET, streaming live on ESPN+. In this matchup, Youngstown State enters as a slight favorite, with a spread of -1.5 points and a moneyline of -125. The total for the game is projected at 157.5 points.
Currently, Oakland is coming off a disappointing road defeat against Wright State, which has left them with a 2-1 record in Horizon League play. Under the direction of coach Greg Kampe, the Golden Grizzlies have made a significant shift in their playing style this season, moving from one of the slowest paces in the league to ranking 30th in adjusted tempo. This change has allowed them to post a ranking of 75th in offensive efficiency, reflecting their success in adapting to a faster game.
A considerable contributor to their offense this season has been Brody Robinson, a seasoned sharpshooter acquired via the transfer portal. Robinson is currently averaging 16 points and five assists per game with an impressive shooting percentage of 40%. However, Oakland faces challenges beyond Robinson, as shooting inconsistencies plague the team, especially with their starting forwards who are not primarily scorers. Notably, the Golden Grizzlies are struggling with a mere 54% shooting percentage from inside the arc, which poses a potential disadvantage if their game devolves into a half-court battle.
Defensively, Oakland employs a zone defense on 78% of possessions, but this strategy has been ineffective, ranking 291st in defensive efficiency. The team has had difficulty in rebounding, forcing turnovers at only 14%, leading to a lack of pressure on opposing offenses.
Conversely, Youngstown State enters this game after an unexpectedly poor performance against Detroit Mercy, which disrupted their previously strong showing in the Horizon League. Despite this setback, the Penguins boast a solid ranking of 123rd in defensive efficiency, offering confidence in their ability to rebound from the loss. However, their struggles in defensive rebounding, ranked 285th in the nation, emphasize a critical area for improvement, especially after allowing multiple offensive rebounds in prior games.
Youngstown State’s offensive strategy capitalizes on their ability to shoot three-pointers, as they attempt more than half of their shots from beyond the arc, hitting 34% of these attempts. The presence of Cris Carroll, who averages 17.1 points per game and possesses a versatile shooting touch, further enhances their offensive prospects against Oakland’s zone defense. The 7-foot Imanuel Zorgvol also poses a significant threat in terms of rebounding and size, which may outweigh Oakland’s defensive weaknesses.
Given the comparative strengths and weaknesses of each team, a favorable prediction leans towards Youngstown State to cover the spread. As the Penguins look to bounce back, their shooting capabilities and overall defensive efficiency give them the edge in this matchup, which promises to be an intriguing contest for college basketball fans.