Oakland coach Greg Kampe and the Golden Grizzlies are typically late to announce their schedule — which can lead to additional non-conference matchups (see Ohio State in 2010-11) — but he did say there "a couple of contracts to finish." Kampe did confirm opponents from the "Bix Six" fans may have already been aware of:

• Pittsburgh — Which Oakland last played in the 2010 NCAA tournament
  
• West Virginia — Where Oakland opened the 2010-11 season
  
• Michigan State — After near Oakland upset at The Palace in Dec. 2010, Oakland upset new No. 7 Tennessee the next week.
  
• Tennessee — See above. Returning to Knoxville, Tenn., looking to make it three straight over a "BCS" opponent.
  
• Alabama — Opened last season there with a 74-57 loss to the No. 19 Tide. 

The rekindled series with Valparaiso continues, as the Grizzlies season ticket brochure includes the Crusaders as well as a home date Feb. 23 for ESPN's Bracketbusters. Oakland opens the Summit League season Dec. 1 hosting IPFW and then visits upstart Western Illinois Dec. 27 after a brief conference hiatus.
The Golden Grizzlies trip to the Dakotas Jan. 10-12 before hosting the Bison Feb. 7 and the defending conference champion Jackrabbits Feb. 9.

Kampe, who this week finally joined Twitter, expects the schedule to be released soon. Traditional team practices begin in October, but the Golden Grizzlies have been conducting non-basketball workouts as allowed by new NCAA regulations.