Oakland Coach Puts Kentucky On Upset Alert, Calls It 'The Best Matchup We Could Get'

Two years ago, the Kentucky Wildcats and Big Blue Nation learned not to overlook anybody after losing to a 15-seeded Saint Peter’s team ranked 260th in offensive efficiency. Now, their first-round opponent in this year’s NCAA Tournament, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, are entering the game with confidence to do the same.

“For me, this was the best matchup I think we could get as we were trying to figure it all out,” Oakland head coach Greg Kampe said on a local radio show, previewing Thursday’s matchup.

The quote itself may come off as a little arrogant, but it’s not that, Kampe is trying to display confidence in his team and is excited for the opportunity.

“One is this is primetime (slot). We get to play at 7 o’clock on CBS with the A-team on the telecast. All that stuff,” Kampe said. “That’s what you want when you’re in this. You want your kids to have a chance to be in the spotlight. That was No. 1.”

“No. 2, you got maybe the biggest blue blood of them all. I think the guy in East Lansing (Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo) is the best coach in the country, but Cal is right there with him.”

With a young Wildcat team with little NCAA Tournament experience, and a head coach that has only won one NCAA Tournament game in the last four seasons, there is going to be some pressure on Thursday. As John Calipari said, it’s about getting past the first one and maybe Kampe’s comments can serve as more motivation to ensure they do just that.