Oakland University Head Coach Greg Kampe joins the Sports Office

Good evening and welcome to this Friday evening. No one shot. Wide shot, James. Wide shot. Wide. Get Steph in there, too. Get everybody in there. We're going to show the whole room, darn it. Welcome to the sports office on this Friday night. Angels Night, as we call it in Detroit now, right? It used to be the alternative, and now it is Angels Night. We've got a whole room in here. Give us a little pan of the room, will you, James? We've got Kenny and Tom Carr over here, manning the controls. If you guys want to text into the show, you can do it on our Motor City Casino Hotel live line. You see the number right there, 200-5042. And also you can zoom in because we want to see you. If you are in a costume tonight, if you're getting ready, it's kind of the Halloween season. It's tomorrow night, but tonight we're kind of feeling festive. We're going to play a little Halloween game, and then we've got a special performance by your dog. At the end of the show, some tricks, right? We're going to get some dog tricks. I don't know how... Rooky, if you feed her, she'll get on here. Yeah, see? We're going to feed her. We're going to get that mic right close there. All right. First, we're going to welcome in our friend, Gio Giovanni. Giovanni Mocheri. He is the host of Sportscaster's Game of the Week. Also, the Gio Mo Show covering Oakland University basketball. And so it's a little different this week. Not only is Gio, a guest of the show, but he's also going to help with some questions for Coach Campy because he, how long have you covered the Golden Grizzlies? So I've had the show for about five years, covering Oakland basketball more for like three and a half, four years. So he's even he's even getting pretty good at some of his questions. Right. It took a few years, but he's figuring it out. That is a compliment. I've gotten a few arrows thrown at me during a press conference. You know what, though? I will tell you, Jim Leland used to be the hardest on me when I would ask questions that weren't perfectly informed or that needed a little more information. And I think that's the way you become better as a reporter. And I respect a coach who will fairly and honestly say, listen, we can be better. You've said that to me even over the years. All right. So, coach, let's just start with what's wrong. No, just his face. All right. Amber, I'm not sure anybody's ever said anything like that to you. Really? Yeah. Oh, yeah, they have. They have. Let me ask you just, you've got the season opener. You've played some games in the preseason. But the real games... That count start on Monday in Ann Arbor against the University of Michigan. This is going to be fun, isn't it? Well, they're hanging the national championship banner that night. So it's a, you know, it's kind of a special night. It's, you know, their fan base should be extremely excited about it. Their players should be extremely excited about it. I'm just hoping they forget that they've got a game too, you know. Right. But it is, it's a cool night. And to be part of that, you know, to be an in-state school, to have watched them win the national championship and have the great season they had. We opened there last year and we played pretty good. And they beat the crap out of us. I mean, they, that you. You walked off the floor that night knowing that that could be the national champion. Thank you. So to be back, you know, full circle, to watch them celebrate in that and then get to be their first game, it's pretty cool for Oakland. Let me ask you this. How many of the players do you have on your team this year that were there last year for that season opening game and can kind of remember that feeling? I've got to imagine it's a humbling feeling. Well, there's only two, so, you know, the... The roster, everybody's roster is changing over in this day and age of this. But, you know, I don't think we were, I don't think there was any humbling about it. I just, I think we watched a great team, and they played a great game against us. And we played pretty good. I told them in the locker room afterwards, we played a very good basketball. We scored 78 points against them on opening night. And the problem was is they had 78, I think, five minutes into the second half. Yeah. So, you know, and then two weeks later, they beat Gonzaga by nine more than they beat us. So I think we all realized how good of a team that was. And we got to all enjoy it and celebrate with them as the year went on. So it was really, really a good thing for us. Yeah, and then you've got some other tough games behind that. Give us just a little snapshot of probably like the first two weeks for you. Well, our coach isn't real smart. Sometimes we're We're going, we're leaving Ann Arbor, and we're going to Stanford, and then we're playing UC Santa Barbara out there, then we fly to Alabama, we play Alabama, then we fly back to Boise, and we play Boise, and then we come home and play our only home non-league game, which is Northern Iowa, and then we've got Houston, Arizona State, Purdue, Arkansas, Michigan State, yeah, we've got a few games. This makes the team stronger, doesn't it? Gio, give me your sense of this kind of opening juggernaut, if you will, for the Golden Grizzlies. I mean, it's something where fans and even myself, we have to kind of prepare ourselves. Like, listen, there's going to be a little bit of a different definition of what success looks like at these games. And it's just the way college basketball is. And, Coach, I know that this does. Do the team good. It's just like when I think of the fans and like we saw some of that stuff at the radio show where it's like, yeah, we're not going to the fans aren't going to get home games and they may not get a lot of wins. But in the end, this is how the competition goes. This is how teams improve. So it's more of a message of buckle up. And that's kind of the sense I've gotten from talking with you, with Smitty, with Blake, some of the coaches like it's buckle up is kind of a message for these first few weeks. And it's fun, isn't it? Well, I don't know. I'll tell you if it's fun. It's going to take... There's got to be some nurturing as we go through this, too, because for us to beat those teams, we're going to have to play our A game, and then they may have to have a C game or a B game, right? We're not going to be able to play our A game every night, and there's going to be a couple nights that... You know, Alabama plays their A game, and that score might be 30, you know, 25, 30-point game. And being able to survive that and get back on your horse and ride into the next game, there's going to be some psychological issues with that, and we've got to handle it as coaches. And just know we're going to play every game as an entity in itself, and whatever happens this night, we go get the next one. All right, Steph's husband is an Oakland University player, and he went through these things. He did, and I was going to ask, how do you mentally prep these guys? Like, they're going into a pretty big game on Monday, and I think, just from my perspective, it would be difficult to overcome, oh, we're playing the champions of, you know, college basketball. How do you get past that? Yeah, Steph, I think that's a really good question. I don't think the first game... It should be that big of a deal because, you know, we've worked all summer. We've, you know, we're getting ready for opening night. You know, you're telling them we can win this. They believe they can win. They haven't had it put to them yet. You know, so, and it's in state. It's Michigan. It's on national TV. And it's what they all play for, what they all dream of. And they get that opportunity. If it goes, you know. If it goes well, it could propel us to Stanford. And, you know, Stanford is not Michigan, but they are a power five or four, whatever they're called nowadays. So it's, my concern isn't so much this one, and it's when it's Alabama, and then you fly across the country, and then you've got to go to... Arkansas, and then you, you know, those are the ones that I'm going to be worried about, and I think what you're asking, you know, that's going to be on our staff and myself to do a good job of that, to prepare them, and then they've got to, they've got to have a great competitive spirit to handle it, and it... It's going to be tough, but we've got to embrace the hard, right, Jen? Yeah, I was just going to say, embrace the hard. And sometimes I always often go back to the saying, I never lose, I win or I learn. Because I've got to imagine that this really strengthens the kids throughout. Gio, is there a particular game that you're looking most forward to seeing? I mean, I know that basketball coach is all about matchups, But I've got to imagine, I mean, when you guys stepped on the court in Pittsburgh against Kentucky, I know I keep going back to that, but that was really one of my favorite days covering sports in my life. Mine too. Because it was such a cool moment, and it really was the Cinderella story that sports can be. Gio, is there one that sticks out to you in this schedule? Well, for me, and I guess, like, maybe for different reasons, maybe, like, you know, the X's and O's in the matchups and stuff, that's more, like, I'll get into more of that once the games become more recent, but I always look forward to the game against Michigan State because it's more, that one's especially because of, coach, like, your relationship with Izzo is just something I can't get enough of, especially when it comes to things like Christmas sweaters and you guys, you know, making a big event of it when you guys do play down in Detroit. I know you You guys are at the Breslin Center for this year, but that game in particular is something that I always look forward to watching and covering, because that one, maybe even a little bit more so than the Michigan game, is kind of like a state unifier to me, just because of those kind of prior relationships that you have with that squad and that university. And wait till you see the Christmas sweaters this year. Oh, yeah. I got them in. Tell us about it. You got them in already? I got them already. All right, maybe you'll get Izzo in here and we can unveil them on the couch. I don't think that's going to happen. I don't see that happening. I don't see that happening. All right. They are, this is... In my opinion, it's far and away the best ever. I think my favorite year was, what was the antler sticking out of the front? What was the, or the moose, what was it? Yeah, it was a reindeer, the antler and then the butt sticking out the back. That was interesting. You know what, it is, and to Gio's point, it is a great relationship that you and Tom have. And you guys really are, I hate to call you the old guard, but it's a complete term of respect. For basketball, not only in the state of Michigan, but across the country. I mean, that's still very important to you, is it not? And I know you and Tom are always speaking, you know, at times speaking together and talking about how to get the sport back to where it was. Well, I think, and I'm not even sure I'm supposed to say this publicly, but one of the greatest compliments in that is he and I are going to do a, you know, a co... What do you call these, you know, like we did at the DAC press conference at the Final Four in Detroit for the National Basketball Coaches Association because they want to highlight how two guys have, you know. Fostered a friendship through the business, stayed friends for years, even though they're competitive and they play and they go after each other. But yet they've been able to hold on to the friendship and what that does in coaching and how, you know, it should be like a guidance for the young coaches. And he and I are going to go on stage and talk about that. So I was honored that that, you know, that's cool. That's going to happen. I love that. Yeah. And the final four in Detroit at Ford Field coming up. Yeah. Next April. All right. We've got a question for coach about Rip Hamilton's son and how he is coming along. We will answer that after the break. Text us. Zoom in with Halloween costumes, please. We want to see on this Friday night on the sports office. Stick with us. And welcome back to the sports office on this Friday night. Getting you set for not only the Lions game on Sunday, the Red Wings game tomorrow, but also the Oakland University College basketball season, which opens up at the University of Michigan. Friday night when the Wolverines hang a banner and the Golden Grizzlies look to play spoiler. We've got Gio Moscheri joining us from sportscasters.com. We've also got Stephanie Meade joining us talking Oakland basketball. And also, we'll get a little updated forecast, too, from you, Steph, about this weekend because it's going to be beautiful for trick-or-treating and tailgating and all of that stuff. Coach, so we did get on the Motor City Casino Hotel Live Line. We did receive... We did receive a text from one of our viewers that is curious to know how Rip Hamilton's son is coming along. And I will say, when I saw Rip last year at the playoff series, I think it was against Cleveland, I asked him. I told him that it was thrilling that his son had committed to play for you. And I said, do you know that coach is going to make him better? And he said something like, I think that that's going to be very good for him. Tell me how he's coming along. Well, he's, you know, he's a lot like Rip. Coming out of high school and that he was slight, and maybe not as slight as Rip was. Wiry. Yeah, wiry. But, you know, for him to get major minutes, and we knew this in the recruiting process, and that's one of the reasons I think Rip sent him to Oakland, is because we knew that there was going to be a developmental stage. He can really shoot the basketball, which that's no surprise at all, right? Right. And... In one of our exhibition games, he went three for four from the three and got four threes up in six minutes. So that's a lot like grip, too, right? So he can really shoot it, and he's just got to get physically bigger and stronger, and he's going to need, you know, he needs the weight room. He needs our strength coach. He's going to be his biggest friend. You know, the whole idea was to redshirt him his first year. build him physically but now with the new rule of not being able to red shirt that's gonna you know it's gonna slow his progress down a little bit because we wanted we were gonna have him in the weight room everyday and you can't do that in season now if you're right so uh... i expect to see him grow and get bigger and get stronger and he's gonna have some good nights for us over his career So, Gio, if you're kind of hearing what I'm hearing, too, it feels almost like it's a little more of an advantage for these younger players to come to a program like Oakland, get development, get playing time kind of under their feet, so to speak. Then you have to wonder what happens. Do they stay? Do they go? Yeah, and that's why we really don't want this. This isn't something that we're going to make a living doing. I don't want to be the Toledo Mudhens. I know that the people down in Toledo enjoy watching the Mudhens plays, but our fans aren't going to enjoy watching a young man play for a year or two and then leave us. Because, you know, so... But in this case, you know, because of my relationship with the Pistons and Rip and all that and because Rip understands it, you know, Joe Average, dad out there, Joe Average, you know, here's my kid, it doesn't understand what it takes to be great. And Rip does. Obviously, he's lived it. And so he understands and knows this young man's got to get bigger and stronger and develop. And that was part of me wanting... Deuce with us because I knew that he would give the support that will take the time to get where he needs to get where he can have success and become a really good college basketball player. All right, I'm going to ask you this question also, but I want to ask Gio, just what kind of chemistry building did you see with this Oakland team during the preseason from your vantage point? So, yeah, from me, it became, well, I mean, what I saw in person at Grand Valley, it was a ton of three-point shooting, and Coach, you told us, don't expect 43s per game necessarily, but that stuff does kind of take some time, especially when the point guard spot is something that changes over year after year because when Brody Robinson was there last year, he was first-team all-league. Like, he was a stud. And now RJ Taylor comes into that role playing, you know, similar style and stuff. It does take time and, you know, seeing it against Grand Valley, that is something that makes it look a little bit better, but it's... It's not there yet and coach I'm sure like this is not it's not where you want it to be there quite yet so the chemistry that is something that takes time and you know with so many new faces that's difficult to build in one single offseason so some of it does kind of is going to have to come during the season and that's what coach Smitty told me one of my preseason interviews too so. Uh, it's not, it's not just me making it up, coach. Smitty said it too. I do. Do you find, is that a, how much of a challenge is that coach to get the cohesion of a group that's new to each other? I don't know if you ever get it, you know, it's, it's. The great teams that I've had, and I've been fortunate to have a lot of really good teams and a couple great teams, and that's taken care of itself. And, you know, it's a selfless play. It's understanding your role. My job as a coach and our staff's job is to make sure that we, you know, make sure they know what their roles are and then they handle their role. And, you know, we have a saying at Oakland that from the time we lose our last game, Whenever it is in March. Until we start practice in September, everything we do from a coaching staff is about the individual. So let's say, Hammer, you're on my team, right? So if we lose in March, you're going to be a junior next year, and you've got this whole summer to get better. We will do everything. I'm going to be ticked off all summer. I hope so. But we do everything in our power as a coach to make you better. Our terminology is about you. Our meetings are about you. The film work is about you. And then on September 24th or 5th when we have our first practice, from that day until we lose that last game, every terminology, everything we talk about is about the team. And... No player's allowed to come in my office between September 20th, whatever, and the last game and ask why they're not playing or what do I have to do to get more minutes. Their question better be, what do I have to do to help our team win? That's a great concept. And so that chemistry gets developed by your leadership and by how cohesive they become. And then how do you buy in? Like, say, you wanted to be their leading scorer, but... I got Trey Townsend. You're not going to be our leading scorer, but you could be the third leading scorer and the assist king in that. Do you accept that role, knowing that maybe your senior year, now you can grow and develop into that? And that's on the staff to work and teach, but it's also on each individual to buy into what we're trying to accomplish. Yeah, and I know, too, not every kid goes on to play basketball at a bigger, better school or win a national championship or even sniff the NBA, To your husband's point, I know that you have said that he has very strong feelings about his time playing for Coach Campy and what he learned and how it's maybe helped him in adult life. For sure. Yeah, he has really great stories about you and the team that he played for, for the stretch that he was there. And to be honest, a lot of the times when he's talking about it, it kind of goes to like one ear and out the other. He talks about it quite a bit, but no, it's good, and he keeps in touch with a lot of his his teammates. I mean, we just got married like a few months ago and a couple of them came to our wedding. So he talks about it a lot. I think it shaped him to be a pretty good guy today. So So I think it's so important. it's positive. You're raising young men. I mean, this isn't just about kids going to the NBA, although they all think they should could want to, but. This is about life, too. All right, stick with us. When we come back on the other side of the break, can we have some candy shenanigans? Gio, we're going to get a little high school football preview from you, and we're going to do a little Halloween candy taste test. All right, stick with us. Sports Office continues on this Friday night. I approve this message. All right, welcome back. A couple quick comments from the Motor City Casino Hotel Hotline. Bet on it. Let's see, somebody said, is Kirby Joseph really going to play? No, he has been officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Vikings. And Fabian, we are sending love and strength to you and your twin. We miss you here tonight because she usually reaches in. And somebody said, Stephanie is an excellent addition to the show. She deserves a raise. And it would be great if she could do more sports as well. I agree. Wow. I agree. Give her a raise. Is that a text from her? Yeah, right. No, she has not had her phone in her hand. I can confirm. Yeah. All right. So, Gio, while you tell me about a couple of the playoff games that you are watching tonight, playoff start for high school football, if those of you are not familiar or paying attention, I'm going to hand each, Greg and Stephanie, each a candy bar. They are going to open it. They are going to close their eyes. They are going to raise their hand when they know what it is, whoever raises their hand first. All right, Gio, tell us which games you're watching here tonight. All right, so I'm doing my best to try and watch all of them, but what I'm paying attention to, so I'm in the Macomb area. So Division I, Region IV, that one's more of the Macomb area teams that I'm familiar with. I'm a man of the MAC Red, went to Dakota High School. So the Romeo Bulldogs are a team that have caught my attention like crazy. I'm heartbroken we weren't able to cover them this season on Sportscaster.com. We do radio broadcasts of our games of the week. And Romeo was the one team we were not able to schedule, unfortunately. But undefeated, first time since 1977, only time since 1977. And even when they won it in 2015, they were not undefeated. But I'm paying attention to Romeo at Anchor Bay. I'm paying attention to my Dakota Cougars are on the road at Rochester right now. And that's the thing, all these games are going on currently. And see you home, right? See you home high school. See home, yes. We did see him in Lakeview, right? Lakeview. And there's a big one down at Cass Tech. St. Clair Shores, Lakeview, yeah. All right. All right, tell me what that candy bar was, and I hope you don't have a nut allergy. You gave me my favorite candy bar in the world, so I know exactly. So you're a Milky Way guy. Oh. Did you know it was Milky Way? I knew it was a Milky Way. All right, my favorite is Snickers. That's going to do it for us. It's so sad we're leaving you. We'll see you. The Pulse starts right now. We'll see you at 10 and 11.