Men’s basketball against Milwaukee Thursday, 7 p.m. in the O’rena

The men will take on the defending Horizon League champions on Thursday at home. This is not the same Milwaukee Panthers (6-12, 1-3) team as last year, however. Their two leading scorers from last season graduated and the remaining players have not played at the same level. This season, senior guard Steve McWhorter is leading the Panthers with 14.6 points per game. Junior forward Matt Tiby leads the Panthers in rebounding with 7.6 per game, putting him at third in the Horizon. The Golden Grizzlies match up well with the Panthers and should be able to shut down Milwaukee’s offense.

Prediction: Oakland 86, Milwaukee 68

Women’s basketball at Detroit Thursday at 7 p.m.

Oakland enters the contest with Detroit sitting at 2-1 in the conference and 8-8 overall. Prior to dropping the contest to UIC, Oakland won both of their Horizon League games by double digitis against Milwaukee and Valparaiso. Oakland is led this season by Olivia Nash (14.5 ppg) and Elena Popkey (11.7 ppg).

Detroit (6-11, 1-3) most recently beat UIC and lost to Cleveland State. Senior Ellisha Crosby, who scored 19 and 16 points in the Titan’s games last week, leads the Titans team looking to right the ship early on in the conference season.

Prediction: Oakland 77, Detroit 73