This story is not made up–it’s very real! You can read more about it here.
Wednesday night at Assembly Hall in Champaign, Oakland ran out to an early lead over No. 16 Illinois. The Golden Grizzlies took advantage of poor shooting from the Fighting Illini to build an 11-point margin. There was one problem, however: The teams were playing with a women’s basketball for the first seven minutes of the game.
“After my first shot I thought, ‘This can’t be right,'” said [Illinois guard Demetri] McCamey.
Players on both sides complained to the officials about the ball during those first seven minutes, but to no avail. Eventually, during a break in play, Grizzlies guard Travis Bader convinced referee Mike Sanzere to take a closer look at the basketball. Upon realizing the teams were playing with a size 6 ball, a switch was made to the proper size 7 men’s ball with just under 14 minutes remaining in the first half.
I’ve coached 33 years and that’s a first,” Oakland coach Greg Kampe said.
