The set-up: The 14-5 (4-2 in Horizon League) Oakland Golden Grizzlies are coming off a 76-65 home loss to Cleveland State this past Monday, the team's second in a row, both at home. The 12-7 (3-3 in Horizon League) Northern Kentucky Norse also lost a second straight game in their last outing, 68-58 back on Jan. 12 at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The two meet tonight at BB&T Arena in Highland Heights, Ky.

Oakland: Oakland won 23 games last year before losing in the championship game of the first-ever Vegas 16 postseason tourney. The Grizzlies knew replacing PG Felder (24.4-4.3-9.3) would be impossible plus the team also lost 6-9 center Gibson (11.3 & 6.2). However, Oakland was cruising at 14-3 before two straight losses. The guard tandem of Walker (17.0) and Dorsey-Walker (1.1-4.8-3.6) has been very good plus the 6-7 Hayes (15.1 & 6.9) has played well up front.

Northern Kentucky: The Norse won just nine games last season (5-13 in Horizon play), so the team's 12-7 start has been nice. The 6-7 McDonald leads in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (8.2) and is joined by three other double digit scorers. Guards Holland (14.3 & 3.8 APG) and Murray (10.3) plus SF Williams (10.8 & 6.1).

The pick: Oakland is coming off surprising back to back home loses to Detroit and Cleveland State. Yes, Northern Kentucky is a solid team that has played well at home this season but Oakland is better than it has shown these last two games and I expect them to bounce back here. Make Oakland a 10* play.