Messages

421

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Basketball Transfer Portal

« on: April 02, 2021, 09:55:41 PM »

And speaking of non D1 transfers, here's another one, Collen Gurley, coming out of D3 Mount Union https://www.cantonrep.com/story/sports/2021/04/02/collen-gurley-transfers-mount-union-youngstown-state-ncaa-mens-college-basketball-horizon-league/7065639002/

422

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Basketball Transfer Portal

« on: April 02, 2021, 09:41:47 PM »

https://www.verbalcommits.com/players/tevin-olison

New commit.

As a senior at Cumberland college he averaged 23 points a game with a 51% shooting percentage.  41% from 3.  Nice video.

Like it's been said many times before, I don't understand why we can never get any D1 transfers

423

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Basketball Transfer Portal

« on: April 02, 2021, 06:25:38 PM »

Announced today Michael Akuchie is returning! Have to wonder now about the rest of the seniors especially Naz & Covington

424

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Basketball Transfer Portal

« on: March 22, 2021, 09:23:28 AM »

Christian Bentley transferring out.

He was already a senior.  Didn't expect him to stay.  I had hoped he would have contributed more this year, but his playing time really decreased.  Even when DQ was out, he really didn't play much

425

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Basketball Transfer Portal

« on: March 16, 2021, 08:32:49 AM »

Looking at the roster as listed on the website, we have 12 players (5 seniors and 7 Freshmen).
What happened to all the sophomores and Juniors?

That was part of the problem this past year.  Had all of the seniors plus DQ when he was healthy, but really no experience off the bench other than Hamperian.  We had all those freshman and losing so many practices and non-conference games really hurt.  Now with juniors DQ and Hamperian gone, they were the only 2 non-seniors or freshman.

   

426

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Darius leaving

« on: March 13, 2021, 11:31:15 AM »

I was just on the YSU basketball website. Those 3  names are already gone from the roster.
I don’t want to read too much into this. Covington, Naz and Akuchie are still listed on the roster.

Interesting. Also noticed Christian Bentley is gone, he was a senior, but Greyson Kelley & Jamir Thomas are also still listed

427

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Darius leaving

« on: March 12, 2021, 10:48:49 AM »

He probably thinks that he will get an offer from the Big Ten.  My prediction is that he ends up at Wright State, a short distance from his home in Springfield. That is the kind of thing that happens when you basically eliminate the transfer rules.

My fear was if he didn't end up at some bigger school, he'd go to Wright State.  That would be a tough pill to swallow.  You'd hope he'd respect YSU more than that. I'm just not sure where his landing place is.  His stock fell so much this past year.  Obviously the injury had an effect, but there was just an odd dynamic with him all year.  Just didn't seem like he was engaged as much as the first two years. 

Along with DQ & Kenny Ganley, I see Geoff Hamperian is also in the transfer portal.  That one honestly is surprising.  Does he just not to want to finish his career with a new batch of players if Naz, Covington, and Akuchie don't return?

428

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Jacori Owens commits Mens basketball

« on: March 07, 2021, 08:00:30 PM »

Kind of reminds me of Michael Akuchie

429

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB Horizon Tourney

« on: March 05, 2021, 07:43:22 PM »

DQ had better be very careful and seek sound advice. He needs to perform at a very high level next season if he hopes to pursue a professional career in Europe. If he transfers to a stronger DI program, he needs an absolute guarantee that he will start. If an unscrupulous coach lies and grabs him as depth for his bench, DQ will see any hope for some type of professional career evaporate into thin air. Like many of you I am convinced that he wants to leave, but staying might actually be his best option after this disastrous year.

Agree 100% with this. 

DQ's best attribute was driving to the basket & was told by the NBA he needed to improve on his shooting.  The ankle injury seemed to cost him that step he had on everyone and his shooting % went the wrong way in a pretty big way. 

Only way I thought he'd stay is if Naz for sure came back and maybe Covington.  I just feel like Naz is the guy that's going to have to rally the others if they want to make another run next year.  Just hard for me to envision him returning without any of the other seniors.   

430

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB Horizon Tourney

« on: March 03, 2021, 08:09:44 PM »

Certainly going to be an interesting dynamic.  Purely speculation, but I feel like Naz could be the guy to hold the group together.  I figured this was going to be DQ's last year at YSU, but between his injury, the way his year went, the seniors getting an extra year could see him coming back although maybe if none of the seniors return he won't?  Kelley and Thomas are wild cards.  Can't imagine Bentley returning.  I really thought he would have gotten more PT this year especially when DQ was out.   

If a lot of those guys do return, what happens to the freshman class?  Obviously would mean less PT for those guys and sets their development back.  Do some of them then transfer without having to sit out? 

If none of the seniors & DQ return, and everyone else mostly does you could be looking at Hunter, Mayes, Ogoro, Vargo & possibily Traore starting with maybe Hamperian & Dunn off the bench & whoever else that YSU recruits or transfers.

431

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB Horizon Tourney

« on: March 03, 2021, 09:50:51 AM »

the last possession of regulation was disturbing.  I would rather have them shoot too soon than jack one up from half court.  drive to the basket for the possibility of a foul and a follow up tip in.  after that possession you knew they were not going to win.
Oakland has a losing record but they played Xavier,Toledo,Bradley,Michigan,Purdue, Oklahoma State, Michigan State. Who did YSU play.  no one.  They have to improve recruiting and play better competition.

I agree with your first paragraph.  You just felt like YSU had to win it there, and not even giving yourself a chance was brutal.  That's going to sting for awhile. 

In YSU's defense this year on scheduling, they really didn't have any choice.  The quarantine timing killed their non-conference schedule.  They were lucky to even get the D1 game against Binghamton and even have the ability to play the NAIA schools.  Oakland had the ability to play earlier and a lot of those schools were in search of someone to play.  Coach Calhoun had been doing well at improving their non-conference schedule, but had it played out this year along with DQ's injury really seemed to set YSU back.   

432

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB Horizon Tourney

« on: March 03, 2021, 08:55:03 AM »

I agree with Double ET on DQ.  Besides seeming like he's lost a step and his outside game hasn't been the same, you just haven't had that confidence when the ball is in his hand like last year. 

That whole last possession sequence was just odd with DQ.  Even when YSU got the rebound, DQ looked confused with the ball in the backcourt and took nearly 8 seconds to get it across the timeline when they called timeout with 18 seconds. 

Coach mentioned in the post game press conference that they drew up the "horn" play.  There were supposed to be screens set and DQ was to drive to the hoop and shoot with 2 seconds and if he missed was hoping for the put back.  When I went back and rewatched it, even worse was the fact DQ launched that shot with about 6 seconds on the clock.  Also, Naz was open at the 3-point line, and as time expired he looked over to the bench in confusement/disgust.   If DQ could have gotten him the ball, he probably would have had 3 or 4 seconds to get into the lane.   

433

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB Horizon Tourney

« on: March 02, 2021, 10:11:41 PM »

Covington was outstanding.  I'm thinking that his 30 points might be a career high.
Naz had a triple double 14 points,13 rebounds,and 11 a$$ists.  It must have been his first in his 4 seasons.  Can't remember who the last penguin was that had one.

Career high for Covington...I agree he was outstanding and nearly willed YSU to victory. 

The triple double was supposedly the first ever in YSU history.  That's hard to believe. 

434

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB Horizon Tourney

« on: March 02, 2021, 09:38:23 PM »

What a heartbreaker...typical YSU - Oakland gave going down to the buzzer.  Still just in shock on that last possession of regulation.  18 seconds and not even give yourself a chance.  Shot better & out-rebounded Oakland, but the turnovers were just the difference in this one; 20 of them- just brutal.  I didn't understand Akuchie on Moore either at the end as he kept getting beat.  YSU didn't get any breaks on the offensive charge calls.

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB Horizon Tourney

« on: March 02, 2021, 09:17:53 PM »

Great comeback to force it to OT but I'm lost what in the world DQ was doing on the last possession