As the 2024-25 season quickly approaches, the Oakland Golden Grizzlies women’s basketball team is not just battling opponents — they are battling expectations.
A major shift for the team this season is the return of head coach Jeff Tungate, who missed most of last season due to a medical leave of absence.
If you need a refresher, Oakland finished the regular season with an 8-12 conference record, which placed the team eighth in the Horizon League regular season standings last year. In the Horizon League playoffs, the Golden Grizzlies lost to the Northern Kentucky Norse in the first round.
Team Overview and Key Players
Like the men’s basketball roster, the women’s roster has had many moving pieces this offseason.
One of Oakland’s key roster losses is Brooke Quarles-Daniels, who now plays for the Michigan Wolverines. Last season, Quarles-Daniels led the Golden Grizzlies in points, assists, rebounds and steals. Additionally, she was the only player to earn all-league honors for Oakland.
In addition to Quarles-Daniels, Linda van Schaik and Markyia McCormick are no longer on the roster as they have run out of eligibility. Van Schaik and McCormick were the Golden Grizzlies’ second and third-highest scorers, respectively, behind Quarles-Daniels.
Looking at the current roster, returner Maddy Skorupski will likely be one of the Golden Grizzlies’ most critical players this season.
Skorupski saw a steady increase in minutes as last season progressed and only improved with increased opportunities. Notably, in Oakland’s only playoff matchup and final game of the season, Skorupski scored a career-high of 22 points.
If Skorupski can continue to produce at a high level for the Golden Grizzlies, and she will have her chance with how the roster has panned out, she has the potential to finish the season with All-League honors.
Another player to watch this season is Dani Grim. The transfer from Mercyhurst had a solid season for the Lakers last year, averaging the most rebounds, steals and blocks on her team.
If Grim’s skills translate to the Golden Grizzlies’ roster, she could be a crucial asset on both ends of the court. As one of only three seniors on the roster, Grim will likely start for the team. If she doesn’t, she will undoubtedly be an important player off the bench.
Lianna Baxter is another crucial piece on the roster for this upcoming season. Despite missing all of last season with injury, Baxter, just one of the five returning players from last season, will likely anchor down as the Golden Grizzlies’ starting center this upcoming season.
Baxter is also just one of two centers on this team. Combine that with her seniority as the longest-tenured Golden Grizzly on the roster, and you will have a player who will be vital in setting the tone for Oakland.
Season Prediction
Although anything is possible in the Horizon League, the outlook on the Golden Grizzlies season isn’t the best.
Considering most of the all-league players from the previous season have remained on their respective teams, Oakland’s ceiling is a second-round appearance in the Horizon League playoffs, and its floor is a first-round exit.
Suppose the team wants to avoid another early exit from the Horizon League playoffs and finish with a winning record. In that case, they must build team chemistry early and remain consistent all season under Tungate.
Last season, the Golden Grizzlies’ longest win streak included two consecutive wins early in the season against non-conference opponents. If Oakland can piece together those consistent wins when it matters in conference play, everything could fall into place for a successful season.
The Golden Grizzlies will tip off their season in an exhibition match against Rochester Christian University on Saturday, Oct. 26. Although the team will play on the road, Oakland is a mere 10-minute drive away from their first opponent of the season.
