The big blue nation is going down.
The 14th-ranked Oakland Golden Grizzlies used a memorable 3-point shooting performance from Jack Kohlke to stun No. 3 Kentucky. 80-76It was the biggest loss in the NCAA men's tournament so far.
Oakland got off to a rough start after missing its first seven shots. But it shook it off with an outstanding 3-point performance, hitting 15 of 31 shots from beyond the arc — including 10 by Kohlke — to defeat what was arguably the best 3-point shooting team in the nation.
The shocking loss caps another disappointing postseason for Kentucky, which has gone 1-3 in its last three contests with two first-round exits and a No. 2 and no. 3 is in order.
The win over the eight-time national champions was monumental for the Golden Grizzlies; It was their second NCAA Tournament win, but first in a field of 64.
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“We loved Kentucky because they're great,” head coach Greg Combe said after the win “We loved it, we loved it and our kids came.”
Jake Kohlke leads Oakland to defeat Kentucky
The Golden Grizzlies were led by Kolke, who came off the bench with a 32-point performance. He approaches the record for most 3-pointers made in 11 NCAA Tournament games by Loyola Marymount's Jeff Pryor in 1990. Gohlke became the fifth player in NCAA Tournament history to hit 10 3-pointers in a game.
Kohlke paced Oakland in the first half, making seven 3-pointers in the first 20 minutes.
When asked how his team managed to pull off the win, Kampe shrugged at Kolke.
“This guy's right here, he's unconscious. We talked all week, shoot it, kid. You're the best. He's the best, and he proved that to the world tonight,” Gumbay said.
Entering Thursday, Kohlke was third in Division I making 3.6 3-pointers per game, and his 37% 3-point shooting percentage ranked 66th in the nation.
Where is Oakland University?
No, the Golden Grizzlies are not from Oakland, California.
The university is located in Rochester, Michigan and its campus extends into the Auburn Hills. It is located in Oakland County.
Oakland Golden Grizzlies Tournament History
It was Oakland's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011 and first win in the Big Dance since 2005. That year, Alabama defeated A&M in an opening-round game between 16-seeds before losing to North Carolina in the first round.
With an 0-3 record through Thursday, the win over Kentucky was the first in the first round in school history. Oakland will be playing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
Who is Oakland's head coach?
Oakland is led by Greg Combe, who is in his 40th season as coach of the Golden Grizzlies. He is currently the longest tenured coach in college basketball.
Thursday's win now gives Compay an overall record of 699-536 over the past 21 seasons at the Division I level, including a 437-366 record.
Who will Oakland face next?
Oakland will meet the winner of No. 6 Texas Tech and No. 11 North Carolina State in Saturday's second round. The match will be played at PBG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.
“We're going to enjoy about 45 minutes of this and we're ready because we've got the chance of a lifetime. It's not the end,” Gambe said.
