The Wisconsin, Green Bay Phoenix pulled off a stunning 73-68 upset over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at the OU Credit Union O'rena, a result that sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, particularly given the 68-spot difference in NET rankings, with Oakland sitting at 155 and Green Bay at 223. This 5-point margin of victory marked a significant departure from the CHD Scout's prediction, which had Oakland narrowly edging Green Bay by 0.1 points. The win marked Green Bay's 16th of the season, improving their record to 16-13, while Oakland fell to 14-14. Over their last 5 games, Green Bay had been averaging 77.2 points per game, outscoring their opponents by 4.4 points on average, with a 3-2 record in that stretch. In contrast, Oakland had been averaging 75.8 points per game over their last 5, but being outscored by 4.2 points on average, resulting in a 2-3 record.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with Green Bay taking a 37-32 lead into the halftime break. Oakland had been trending upwards in terms of scoring, averaging 75.8 points per game over their last 5, but their defense had been a concern, allowing 80 points per game over the same stretch. Green Bay, on the other hand, had been solid on both ends, outscoring their opponents by 4.4 points per game over their last 5. The second half saw Oakland attempt to mount a comeback, but Green Bay's Justin Allen was the difference-maker, scoring 21 points and dishing out 5 assists to lead his team to victory. Allen's performance was all the more impressive given that Green Bay had been struggling with consistency, having lost 2 of their last 5 games, including a 72-75 defeat at the hands of Milwaukee.
Green Bay's Justin Allen Scores 21 Points in Upset Victory Over Oakland
Beyond the numbers, it was clear that Allen's clutch gene was on full display, as he hit several big shots to keep Oakland at bay. Meanwhile, Oakland's Isaac Garrett put up a strong stat line, with 17 points and 10 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the efforts of Allen and the rest of the Green Bay squad. Garrett's teammate, Brody Robinson, added 16 points and 5 assists, but Oakland's offense ultimately fell short, scoring just 36 points in the second half. Green Bay's C.J. O'Hara also had a notable performance, scoring 16 points, including several key baskets in the second half. As the game wore on, it became clear that Green Bay's supporting cast was making a significant impact, with Caden Wilkins chipping in 12 points to help seal the win.
The upset victory for Green Bay raises questions about the accuracy of the CHD Scout's prediction model, which had Oakland narrowly edging Green Bay.
CHD Scout Report Card
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The model's failure to account for Green Bay's recent form, which had seen them outscore their opponents by 4.4 points per game over their last 5, was a significant factor in the incorrect prediction. Additionally, the model may have overestimated Oakland's defensive capabilities, given their struggles on that end of the floor over their last 5 games. Green Bay's ability to exploit these weaknesses was a key factor in their victory, and it will be interesting to see how the model adjusts for these factors in future predictions. For instance, the model could have placed more weight on Green Bay's recent performance, which included a 76-59 win over Purdue Fort Wayne and a 87-84 win at Northern Kentucky. By doing so, the model may have been able to more accurately predict the outcome of the game.
The win for Green Bay has real consequences for their tournament resume, particularly given the Quadrant 3 nature of the game.
With the victory, Green Bay improved their NET ranking to 223, and their Quad 3 win could be a crucial factor in their tournament hopes. While they still have work to do to get into the tournament conversation, this win certainly helps their cause. On the other hand, the loss is a significant blow to Oakland's tournament hopes, particularly given their recent trend of being outscored by 4.2 points per game over their last 5. The loss drops Oakland to 14-14 on the season, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament. For example, Oakland's loss to Robert Morris by a score of 69-93 earlier in the season could be seen as a missed opportunity, as a win in that game could have significantly improved their tournament chances. As it stands, Oakland's tournament prospects are looking increasingly bleak, and they must string together several wins in a row to get back into the conversation.
In terms of recent form, Green Bay's win continues a trend of solid play, with the team having won 3 of their last 5 games. Over this stretch, they have outscored their opponents by an average of 4.4 points per game, with their only losses coming against Milwaukee and Wright State. Oakland, on the other hand, has been trending in the opposite direction, having lost 3 of their last 5 games, including a 69-93 defeat at the hands of Robert Morris. The loss to Green Bay marks their 3rd defeat in their last 5 games, and they must find a way to reverse this trend if they hope to make a push for the tournament. For instance, Oakland's upcoming games against Youngstown State and Cleveland State matters in determining their tournament prospects, as wins in these games could help to offset their recent losses. As the season enters its final stretch, it will be interesting to see how these two teams respond to this result, and whether Green Bay can build on this momentum to make a push for the tournament. With 16 wins on the season, Green Bay is certainly in the conversation, and their recent form suggests that they may be a team to watch in the coming weeks.
The upset victory for Green Bay also highlights the importance of considering recent form and trends when evaluating teams. By examining a team's recent performance, including their wins and losses, as well as their statistical trends, it is possible to gain a more nuanced understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. In the case of Green Bay, their recent form suggested that they were a team on the rise, with a strong offense and a solid defense. Meanwhile, Oakland's recent trend of being outscored by 4.2 points per game over their last 5 suggested that they may be vulnerable to an upset. By considering these factors, it is possible to make more informed predictions about the outcome of games, and to better understand the complexities of the college basketball landscape. As the season continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to evolve, and which teams are able to capitalize on their momentum to make a push for the tournament.
In conclusion, the Wisconsin, Green Bay Phoenix's 73-68 upset victory over the Oakland Golden Grizzlies was a significant result, with major implications for both teams' tournament hopes. The win marked Green Bay's 16th of the season, and their recent form suggests that they may be a team to watch in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Oakland's loss was a significant blow to their tournament prospects, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the tournament. As the season enters its final stretch, it will be interesting to see how these two teams respond to this result, and which teams are able to capitalize on their momentum to make a push for the tournament.
HEADLINE: Wisconsin, Green Bay Phoenix Upset Oakland Golden Grizzlies 73-68 Behind Justin Allen's 21 Points SUBHEADLINE: The upset victory marks a significant blow to Oakland's tournament hopes, and improves Green Bay's chances of making a push for the tournament, with 16 wins on the season and a recent trend of outscoring their opponents by 4.4 points per game over their last 5.