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46

YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU - CSU MBB

« on: January 05, 2020, 01:46:10 AM »

This game reminded me of YSU games from years past when we just couldn't get stops & missed too many close range shots & layups. In addition giving up too many easy baskets when we tried to press them. CSU wanted the game more & you could tell that from the start. The 50-50 balls & the bounces really seemed to go there way.

Every time CSU got the lead up to 7-9, YSU would fight back but never could get over the hump. I thought a big key was how the 1st half ended & the 2nd half started. YSU lost the momentum at the end of the half & CSU scored the first 4 fast.

The shame of it was YSU really shot the ball well from 3. Simmons & Akuchie were knocking down 3's & Naz had another tremendous game. Give them credit for shutting down Quisenberry. That was a big factor.

Really wish we could get more out of Jamir & Ola. They didn't even get many mins. I wish Jamir would stop taking those long range shots

I had a bad feeling about this game. CSU seems to have YSU's number- that's 5 straight. They were a better team than their record & was afraid YSU might not have the intensity. I would have taken 2 out of 3 to start the season on the road but missed a big chance to get a leg up.

47

YSU Penguin Athletics / Tough MBB loss at Western Michigan

« on: December 08, 2019, 12:29:41 AM »

Tough loss to swallow 66-64 at Western Michigan  today. Was up 7 with just over 7 mins to go & could only manage to score 5 points losing on buzzer beater. Shame of it was YSU was only 11-19 from the foul line. Bad break in the first half when it looked like Western Michigan was going to get a 30 sec violation & they called a foul on Simmons. He then got a technical & Western Michigan made all 4 foul shots.

Thought YSU made a nice adjustment at the half & played really good defensively giving up only 26. Shot the ball a lot better but foul shooting was the killer. Just can't seem to beat these MAC schools. Would have been nice to steal one today with 2 winnable home games before closing out non conference with WVU.

48

YSU Penguin Athletics / NC Central & USC Upstate Basketball Games vs YSU

« on: November 24, 2019, 08:57:02 PM »

Wasn't any talk after YSU's game on Saturday against USC Upstate, and it got me thinking how eerily similar the games against NC Central & USC Upstate were.

In the NC Central game, YSU led by as many as 16, trailed by a couple late and went on an 8-0 run to end the game winning 66-60.

In the USC Upstate game, YSU led by as many as 13, trailed by 4 late and went on a 9-0 run to end the game winning 66-61. 

I don't think either of those teams are very good especially USC Upstate.  It felt like YSU should have blown them out, but again missed so many close range shots and just continues to shoot poorly from the field.  The good thing though is they managed to win both games after giving away the Louisiana game.  They might have lost all 3 early last year.  You hope games like that can help when Horizon League play gets underway. 

It was good to see Simmons finally break out of his slump and Akuckie had a good game after struggling of late.  Hard to believe though only 2 combined points from Naz, Cathcart & Hamperian that all started. 

With Westminster up next, YSU should be 4-3 heading into Thanksgiving, which is pretty much what you expected.  I really hope the guys can find their touch on Wednesday. 

It's still mind boggling to me the shooting struggles after 6 games.  I'm not sure what's more frustrating, the missed layups, put backs, etc or the terrible 3-PT shooting. 

The 3-PT % is just horrific.  I can't believe Morgan is only at 15% and so is Covington.  Cathcart is under 17%.  Akuckie is under 21%.  Even Quisenberry is only at 28%.

I really don't understand not using Thomas more.  It almost reminds me of when we had Tyree Robinson.  I know there was stamina issues with him. 

Definitely going to have to play better against Central Michigan, Robert Morris and Western Michigan 

49

YSU Penguin Athletics / NKU's MBB HC Brannen to Cincinnati

« on: April 15, 2019, 02:29:59 PM »

Northern Kentucky coach John Brannen has taken the job at Cincinnati.  I remember at some point this season during a press conference, Coach Calhoun said we need to get Brannen out of this league- meaning he deserved a shot a high major job.

Will be interesting now if anyone transfers out.  They had everyone returning other than Drew McDonald.   

50

YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU vs Milwaukee

« on: January 25, 2018, 10:18:13 PM »

Another game where YSU has its chances but went ice cold again down the stretch.  We kept battling back from 8 point deficits, but could never take control.  Missed a lot of good looks and layups.  Thought we had a chance at the end of the first half and had some turnovers and a missed a layup.  Just not going to win when Cam is off.  Shot only 32% and amazingly took 18 more shots & made 5 less.  Milwaukee was pathetic from the foul line.  Where was Tyree?  Looked like he wasn't even on the bench. 

51

YSU Penguin Athletics / Idaho St - YSU

« on: December 19, 2017, 12:03:25 AM »

I don't know how many watched the game on Big Sky TV, but just an embarrassing game....easily I feel the worst of the year & in quite some time for that matter.  Idaho St. had won 1 D1 game this year & had an RPI ranking of 336.  They were a 3-point favorite & won by 24 & could have easily been worse if not for a few late baskets.

I've tried to find some positives in each loss this year, thought YSU at least played hard & pretty even with Kent State in the 1st half, DePaul & Butler in the 2nd halfs, had an opportunity to beat Canisius, Southern Miss & Robert Morris, and was competitive for the most part with Northern Colorado.  The South Dakota game was non-competitive, but that was at the end of 3 straight games & to a very good team.  But tonight was downright ugly to a team that YSU should be better than.

You turn a team over 18 teams and shoot 10 more shots & lose by 24 is just unbelievable.  Same old story...slow start, can't make 3's, poor foul shooting, too many uncontested layups/dunks & 3's.  1 point for Cam- just hard to believe.

Coach really sounded deflated & at a loss in the post-game interview.  Tough games now against Utah State & Indiana.  Really need something to change to even be able to win a game.   

52

YSU Penguin Athletics / RPI rankings

« on: December 01, 2017, 10:13:45 AM »

I see the RPI rankings are out and YSU is 348 out of 351...ouch but I suppose not surprising.  Currently 306 in BPI rankings.   

Idaho State looks to be our best opportunity to pick up a win before conference play starts as they are winless.  DePaul appears to be down this year so hopefully we play a competitive game. 

Looking ahead Indiana is the last non-conference game on Friday, December 2.  Open up league play on Monday, New Years Day at CSU then home the following Thursday & Saturday against Milwaukee & Green Bay.  Definitely a busy stretch there.

53

YSU Penguin Athletics / Live feed: YSU - So. Miss

« on: November 25, 2017, 04:56:33 PM »

Here's the live video feed https://www.facebook.com/SanfordPentagon/videos/1516966475023641/?hc_location=ufi

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YSU Penguin Athletics / Live feed YSU - UNC

« on: November 24, 2017, 09:18:14 PM »

Here's a live feed for tonight's game

https://www.facebook.com/SanfordPentagon/videos/1516959511691004/?fref=ts

55

YSU Penguin Athletics / Nice Horizon League MBB opener win Thr night 88-87 over Milwaukee in 2OT

« on: December 30, 2016, 02:18:13 PM »

I know all the talk is football right now and deservedly so, but I thought the men's basketball team pulled out a gritty, hard fought win Thursday night in the Horizon League opener against Milwaukee 88-87 in 2OT.  Nice to see a good crowd and atmosphere...think everyone fed off the football team being there.   

That's 4 wins this season that the team fought to the end & pulled out what could have easily went the other way (Akron, Robert Morris, Niagara & Milwaukee).  The Toledo game was a damn near win like that as well.  It's a shame the Canisius game slipped away from them at the end or they could be 6-0 at home this year. 

This group does play hard and if they can shoot decent they're in every game.  I think it's going to be a competitive league.  Would be nice to pick up a win Saturday against Green Bay and start league play 2-0.  I think that's definitely possible.  Cleveland State took GB to OT Thursday night and lost by 1.

Looking back, this is the first time in 5 years YSU opened league play with a win.  It's been 9 years since they started off 2-0.