Messages

451

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU vs Robert Morris

« on: February 06, 2021, 01:27:13 AM »

You could just see the difference in how much smoother the offense runs with DQ in there.  Thought he had a great game for not playing in 6 weeks.  Coach had said how good of a shooter Kelley is and he was impressive as well.  The fact YSU overcame those dagger 3's at both the end of the first half and regulation and still was able to win was good to see, as well as that phantom foul on Naz in OT that gave RMU a free point.  Was good to see Akuchie knock down 3 of 4 from 3's and YSU sealed it from the foul line.

You just have to wonder how good YSU could have been if it wasn't for COVID and the injuries to DQ, Kelley & Thomas. 

452

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Detroit YSU MBB

« on: February 03, 2021, 10:16:31 AM »

Damn, we need a new point guard.  Somebody like that Darius Quisenberry we had the last couple years would be great down the stretch in some of these games!

It's been a shame no one has really stepped up in so many of these games down the stretch where YSU has either lost at the end or a close game got away from them later in the 2nd half.  I think it's one of the biggest things that YSU is missing without DQ's presence.  He either took over or closed out so many games in the past.   

453

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Detroit YSU MBB

« on: January 31, 2021, 11:43:30 PM »

So frustrating.  It's hard to put into words.  This team can't put anyone away, and simply doesn't know how to play with a lead.  I really thought YSU had this one up 3 and the ball and the ending was simply pathetic.  The constant jacking up the 3's is irritating when YSU isn't a good 3-point shooting team.  The last 3 losses were all right there for the taking and the fact all 3 have come at home is not good.     

454

YSU Penguin Athletics / Detroit YSU MBB

« on: January 30, 2021, 11:02:55 AM »

Another tough loss.  YSU isn't finding ways to win these close games like last year.  That's 2 of the last 3 games at home that would have felt a lot different if YSU could have pulled them out but instead they are buried now in next to last in the standings.

YSU finally shot the ball well, but was sloppy with the ball in the first half that gave Detroit too many points off turnovers.  YSU just continues to struggle with the zone and couldn't get Naz into the game.  Covington was tremendous & so was Akuchie.

Unless DQ comes back and is effective, this team just isn't consistent enough to be able to string wins together & make any kind of run in the tournament.  The biggest thing missing from last year is defense; and the intensity and energy just isn't there.  You just knew early on in the Detroit game YSU was going to have to make a lot of shots and they did, but not enough to overcome the defensive intensity that's lacking.   

455

YSU Penguin Athletics / DQ's return

« on: January 28, 2021, 08:20:09 PM »

In Coach Calhoun's press conference today, he said he talked to DQ today and his hope is to have him back next weekend or the following weekend. 

456

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: UIC Men's

« on: January 26, 2021, 12:17:17 AM »

Just got caught up with both games.  Game 1 was about as a disappointing/heartbreaking loss as I can remember in awhile excluding just poor performances.  There was zero excuses to lose that game.  Without DQ, this team just struggles to close out games.  Last year, game 1 would have been a typical win...hold teams under 70 and YSU was nearly unbeatable. 

I really didn't know how YSU would respond in game 2 after that loss, but give them credit for bouncing back.  The seniors stepped up and Agoro had another excellent game.  They closed it out knocking down FT shots unlike game 1.  Another loss would have been totally demoralizing.   This team just doesn't have any consistency so you just hope this win gives them some momentum and turns the tide with some winnable games coming up.

457

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB game 1

« on: January 18, 2021, 12:13:08 PM »

In the latest NCAA Net rankings, YSU is 291 out of 347 D1 schools.  The only Horizon League school worse is Green Bay at 300

458

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU Oakland MBB game 1

« on: January 17, 2021, 11:46:58 PM »

Thought YSU played good enough to give themselves a chance to win on Saturday, but Oakland hit some huge shots and killed YSU at the line nailing 22-24.

Myles Hunter had another tremendous game.  He's definitely been a bright spot.  Thought Covington reminded me of the player he was in years past, but him getting in foul trouble really hurt YSU down the stretch.

I've said it all year, but Akuchie not getting into double figures = a loss.  I just can't believe he can't find his shot.  He's shooting just 21% from 3.  As a team YSU is just 28% compared to their opponents at 36%. 

YSU has really dug themselves a huge hole in league play.  4-6 would have felt so much different than 3-7 with 8 of the final 10 at home.  I think YSU will better the 2nd half but it's hard to imagine many sweeps with the inconsistent play that's taken place all year unless they can get a health DQ back.

Overall it's just very disappointing for year 4 under Calhoun.   

459

YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU Oakland MBB game 1

« on: January 15, 2021, 11:37:31 PM »

Another disappointing loss.  I really liked how the game was going in the first half.  YSU was playing very good defensive and was making shots...felt like a recipe for a win as it was much like the gritty wins from last year. 

YSU was leading 34-26 was under 3 to go then all hell broke loose.  Oakland closes the half on a 12-2 run and that coupled with a 15-0 run in the 2nd half was all she wrote.  It really was inexplicable that YSU was trailing at the half even as bad as they played in the closing mins.  YSU was still up 6 with 40 some seconds to go, and then was up 2 with the ball and the shot clock turned off; they took a quick 3 followed up by a turnover and they are trailing by 2 at the half.  That ending seemed to suck the life out of YSU. 

Oakland out-hustled YSU, got the loose balls, made shots, and looked way more athletic in the 2nd half.  Too many 3's by YSU and then played frustrated and not good defense.  The Oakland-YSU games always come down to the wire and never turned into what happened tonight even back to the end of the Slocum era.

Myles Hunter made the most of his start as he was tremendous in the first half and I think all of his 18 came in the first half.  I really like this kid.  He definitely needs to start.  Akuchie was out of sync and as usual when he doesn't get to double figures YSU usually loses.

YSU is really missing that spark DQ gave them last year.  Even without DQ, I thought this team would improve as the games went on, but there's just no consistency.  I feel like Saturday is pretty much a must win now or 3-7 is going to be very difficult to dig out of even with an easier 2nd half schedule. 

I'm shocked CSU is now 9-0 after beating Wright St., who has dropped 3 of their last 4.   Those are clearly the best 2 teams in the league.  It's hard to get a good read on a lot of the teams as they've played 3-5 less games other than Oakland and Fort Wayne, who are both 1 up on YSU at 4-5.   

460

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Wright State

« on: January 10, 2021, 12:16:29 AM »

Just getting caught up with the 2 games this weekend. Friday night felt like last year and what we expected from YSU this year...played good defensive, a lot of energy and intensity- pretty much a full 40-minute effort something the team has been lacking.  I said the other day, YSU needed to keep to keep WSU in the 60s to win and just about did until their final 3.   

I expected a let down on Saturday and knew a sweep would be very difficult, but never expected a total blow out.  WSU beat YSU is every phase including coaching.  It had that feel YSU was in trouble early and once it got away from then it was over.  Saturday felt like what could have happened the way YSU has played in much of the league games. 

I said the other day the statistic for YSU's win % is amazing when Akuchie hits double figures.  He did Friday and somehow only took 1 shot on Saturday.  Myles Hunter was certainly impressive this weekend.  Have to wonder how bad DQ's ankle is. 

Was surprised Christian Bentley saw no playing time again.  Just seems very odd to me especially when DQ has been out so much this year.  He played very well on Monday against Carlow, and thought he might see some action.  I believe he was the only one that didn't play Saturday.

I'll take the split with WSU.  Would have felt a lot better if YSU didn't let the 2nd CSU game and/or losing the 2nd game to GB.  Really surprised by the fact CSU swept NKU and is 8-0 in league play.  Also really surprised GB swept Oakland- that's 3 straight for GB after starting off 0-9 and 0-5 in the league. 

Would sure like see YSU sweep Oakland to get back into this as the final 10 games are a much easier slate compared to the first 10 especially with 8 of them at home.  Just a shame it was announced no fans for the rest of the season in the league. 

   

461

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Wright State

« on: January 08, 2021, 01:23:14 PM »

YSU is an 11.5-12 point dog tonight at Wright State.  Even with how YSU has played, that seems a little high especially without fans and for a team that YSU should be.

I expect a really good effort tonight especially being on ESPN2, time to prepare, and hopefully DQ is closer to 100%.  YSU really needs him to get going and hit some 3's along with having Akuchie be productive. 

My only concern is if YSU puts everything into tonight and comes up a little short, will they have gas in the tank for tomorrow?  At 2-4, YSU really needs to be able to split these next 2 weekends on the road so they don't really put themselves in a big hole. 

462

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Wright State

« on: January 06, 2021, 07:16:07 PM »

Akuchie always seems to be the difference.  When he plays well and gets into double figures, YSU seems to win; there's a statistic out there I've seen before and it's pretty telling.  It seems like when Akuchie gets going his game goes to a different level, but when he's off his D lacks, he gets frustrated and bad fouls ensue.  Same can be said for Covington at times.  I just really wish these two were more consistent.

The defense is the key.  Last year, YSU was in most all of the games because of their defensive intensity even games when they weren't shooting the greatest.  Outside of the 2nd half of the Binghamton game and the 2nd NKU game, this year has felt like the early Calhoun years.  YSU needs to keep Wright State in the 60s this weekend to have a shot.  Last year, YSU was nearly unbeatable when they kept teams under 70.

463

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU adds a game with Carlow tonight

« on: January 04, 2021, 08:26:36 PM »

If it wasn't for NAIA schools of Point Park, WVU Tech & Carlow, YSU probably would have only played 1 non-conference game.  It was bad timing with YSU's quarantines that killed their non-conference D1 schedule, and then add in the fact that I don't believe any of the regional D2 or D3 schools were able to play.  Coach said he'd like to get in another non-conference D1 game before the end of the season.

The freshman lost so many practices, scrimmages, and non-conference games so it was great to see them actually get some game time experience.  It also has allowed the parents the opportunities to attend games in person.

I thought everyone played well tonight, shot the play well, and made FT.  Some of these kids are going to be needed down the stretch.

Akuchie was the only starter that got any mins.  Noticed DQ wasn't even in the building.  Anyone know anything about that?   

464

YSU Penguin Athletics / YSU adds a game with Carlow tonight

« on: January 04, 2021, 12:38:18 PM »

6 PM tonight at Beeghly.  Tickets are available but not at the door.  Looks like this will be Carlow's first game of the year.  They are another NAIA school and play Point Park and WVU Tech, the two NAIA schools YSU has beat this year.

Coach Calhoun had mentioned before he'd like to possible add a couple games in between league play.  I was wondering if he'd try to do one this week especially with how the team is playing.  I think it's important to regain some confidence heading into Wright State this weekend. 

465

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU GB game 1

« on: January 03, 2021, 11:31:08 PM »

Game 2 was not good.  poor foul shooting and periods when they can't score caught up to them.

Totally out-hustled in this game, poor FT shooting & poor defense.  This team is a shell of itself from last year.  There were some opportunities to get up on GB & YSU just didn't take advantage of it either missing shots, missing FT, turnovers, fouls, etc.  YSU just for whatever reason can't get off to fast starts and hasn't played well in the first half of games.  And the ending of this game was terrible.

There's really no excuse YSU isn't 4-2 in the league & instead sits at 2-4 with 4 on the road against Wright State and Oakland.