Messages

511

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: GB at YSU

« on: January 26, 2020, 12:17:47 PM »

That was a really big win.  Would have pretty demoralizing to lose 4 straight including 2 at home after a 4-1 start.  I was afraid of the Green Bay game because they put up so many points and I didn't know if YSU had enough offense and could shoot the ball well enough to stay with them.  It looked like they game was getting away from YSU in the 2nd half down 11 and guys were getting frustrated, but Devin Morgan really got them going.  So happy to see him have a great game.  Still wish Coach would have put him in at the end of the Milwaukee game. 

I agree with the above comment that if Covington would have played Thursday YSU would have won despite the terrible free throw shooting.  That was definitely a game they gave away but winning Saturday and then having Milwaukee & UIC lose would huge and has YSU right back in it at the halfway mark.  Wright St. is clearly the best team in the league & probably little doubt NKU is the 2nd best team, but they are only up 1 game on YSU.  I think the next tier of teams are all pretty equal with YSU, GB, UIC & Milwaukee. 

I think the surprises are UIC & Oakland not being better and then you have Detroit & CSU at 4-5 in the league and I don't think anyone saw that coming.  It's crazy Oakland is only 2-7 in the league and 7-15 overall, but they've lost 7 games by 4 points or less & only have won 1 close one.       

512

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Penguins Rally But Fall 75-73 in Overtime to Milwaukee

« on: January 24, 2020, 10:23:12 PM »

YSU makes 16-18 on the road in a loss to Wright St. that kept them in the game and can only muster 12 of 26 on Thursday that cost them the game.

Frustrating game to say the least.  YSU started off the game shooting well, but terrible defense then the onslaught of turnovers.  Just seemed uninspired during that first half.  The end of the first half was a potential 4 point swing that I had a bad feeling might come back to haunt them.  Naz caught the ball at halfcourt and threw it in the backcourt.  Instead of possibly cutting the lead to 5 or 6 they are down 10 at halftime.

Thought there was some strange rotations in the 1st half.  I also was really surprised Coach hardly subbed at all later during the 2nd half & in OT.  The guys looked gassed.  I was shocked he didn't put Morgan in on the last possession of OT.  I could see him asking to go in.  He nailed 2 half court shots before he went in the locker room before the game.

Have to wonder what Covington did.  Coach said in the press conference it was his decision not living up to the standards.  Said he gets paid who to play & who gives him the best chance to win.  Convington seems like he'd be the last person that would get in the doghouse.  Definitely missed his presence on defense. 

Listening to the post game show, Coach sounded about as mad as I've heard him after a loss.  And during that first half was about as mad as I've ever seen him on the sidelines.  He said they didn't have good practices leading up to the game and it showed.  After the YSU/WVU game, Huggins said when you miss free throws you're usually not engaged.  That certainly seemed like the issue on Thursday.   

I really didn't expect YSU to lose that one.  Was more concerned about Green Bay and being able to slow them down.  A loss on Saturday now would really hurt.  UIC is up next.  They've won 3 in a row including beating Wright State and killing Oakland by 30 at Oakland. 

513

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Wright St MBB game

« on: January 21, 2020, 11:50:23 AM »

I think the program is definitely headed in the right direction.  Last year was an improvement winning those 6 straight league games.  This year produced a winning non-conference record and undefeated at home to date. 

I'm glad Coach has been able to adapt with his players and has them playing good defensive basketball for the majority of the season.  It's kept the team in most games this season.  Really outside of the 2nd half of the Louisville games along with the Akron and NKU games, this team has been competitive all year.  I would be surprised if there are any more non-competitive games the rest of the year.  That's been a big positive.  There were several years there where YSU wasn't even competitive in a lot of games and double figure losses were common. 

I think YSU's talent level has definitely improved over years past, but still lacks where it needs to be to compete for a championship and be able to win on a more consistent basis.  You look at NKU and Wright State and there's several star players (3-4) and that can score the ball consistently.  And no different than in years past with other schools.  We have Quisenberry and a lot of good players that can have big nights, but just not the consistent scoring and game changing players.  I think Naz is close and maybe next year he'll be there.  If this team stays intact, there's no reason they shouldn't improve next year.   

UIC is a team that makes me nervous.  They've definitely underperformed this year and have the veteran star players.  They had some players out early this year so their record is a little deceiving.  They've now won 2 in a row in the Horizon including Wright Stat's only defeat. 

Green Bay is a team that puts up a bunch of points so it'll be interesting if YSU can slow them down.  Seems like GB is always high scoring.  They beat NKU on the road, but strangely lost to IUPUI by 15 at home and also lost to Milwaukee at home.  They are averaging 81.5 a game, but giving up 80.2.  They play CSU Thursday so Saturday's game should be a battle for 3rd place.     

514

YSU Penguin Athletics / Wright St MBB game

« on: January 19, 2020, 01:19:18 AM »

Played much better after Thursday's NKU game.  Could almost say they played well enough to win...really had a lot of opportunities but Wright St made some big blocks that looked like easy buckets down the stretch that really stopped YSU momentum.  It's a shame YSU couldn't knock down some of those 3's...just 4 of 21.  Akuchie had a great look late & missed it...that one really stood out along with those blocks and Quisenberry couldn't get that one layup to fall when he got fouled.  Give YSU credit for hanging tough, every time it looked like Wright St. was about to pull away, YSU went on a mini run...just could never get over the hump.

16-18 at the FT line is very impressive, but unfortunately Wright St got to the line 30 times.

Was good to see Jamir back in there.  Had 12 rebounds and played well I thought.  I just wonder why he didn't play Thursday. 

That's 6 straight losses to Wright St.  In 8 of YSU's 9 losses, they've given up 73 or more.  And on the other hand, YSU has only won 1 game this year when the opponent has scored 73 or more.     

NKU hammered CSU by 25.  There's no doubt Wright St & NKU are the 2 best teams again.  I was really hoping YSU could get a split, but is now in a 3-way tie for 3rd.  Good thing is now 5 straight at home and none of them are against NKU or Wright State.  We'll see after this stretch where we stand with the second tier teams.   

515

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: men's basketball

« on: January 17, 2020, 10:56:28 PM »

Disappointing game for sure. Afraid YSU was due for a clunker. Probably one of the worst games of the year & definitely worst since the Akron game when we just weren't competitive.

I thought maybe YSU survived their early run when they tied the game at 23. Didn't think NKU could shoot that well the entire game but they pretty much did. That 15-1 run after that point was it.

I wondered about Jamir Thomas too. Looked to me like he was on the bench but was the only one that didn't play. Almost reminds me of Tyree Robinson another JUCO transfer that seemed to have talent & obvious size but never got a lot of mins. Is it stamina, discipline?

This YSU team can't get into a shootout. None of those types of games have been good for them this year. Defensive is definitely the key to remain competitive with everyone. YSU has lost every game this year they've given up 73 or more. The only loss than was under that was Western Michigan a 66-64 loss that YSU should have won.

Clearly Wright State & NKU are the best 2 teams in the league but I think YSU has a shot to play for 3rd.

Saturday at Wright State is going to be tough. I had hoped YSU could split this trip & get to 5-2 then head home for 5 winnable games.

516

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Detroit MBB game

« on: January 11, 2020, 10:28:02 PM »

I agree with all of these comments.  You just always think once in awhile they'll control one of these Horizon League games when they are the much better team, but it just doesn't happen. Horizon League games are always tough and a lot of times ugly.  I said earlier in the season that the defensive we were playing would allow us to win a lot of these games that we would have lost in the past.  We're probably sitting at 2-3 or worse in years past.

When Akuchie missed that dunk I had flashbacks back to the Oakland game when they missed a huge dunk.   Those type of plays can change the game.  Oakland makes that dunk and they have all the momentum & probably win without a doubt.  Akuchie makes that and it might have sealed the game.  Such a momentum change.  I thought if they lose, that's what's going to stand out. 

The turnovers were concerning especially when there was some real bad ones and some that stopped what I felt were runs coming and a chance to go up bigger and take control.  There was some opportunities early on to really stretch out that lead.  Once they got it down under 6 and how the 2nd half started you just knew it was going down to the end.

I was a little disappointed in the offensive rebounds for much of the game, but boy YSU really went at it in that last possession & that won them the game. 

It was good to see Devin heat up and make shots.  Really need him down the stretch.  Bentley is impressive at times, but other games seems to turn the ball over too much and struggles shooting.  I'm surprised Foster doesn't get more mins here and there.  Thomas played a very nice game after struggling for awhile.  Need more of him, especially in a game like this.  I just can't figure out Ola.  It's like when he gets the ball he doesn't know what to do with it like he freezes up or just tries to get it out of his hands real fast.  He was wide open under the hoop that one time and I have no idea what he tried to do.  I don't understand at times why some of our big guys can't go up with 2 hands and slam it.

But like it was said a W is a W in Horizon League games as a L would have been really heartbreaking in a game like that.  If YSU can get at least one next week to go 5-2 and come back home for 5 straight against teams they can beat they will be looking pretty good to keep stacking wins.

The last 2 games have had good crowds and good atmospheres that I think lifted YSU over the top.  I really think getting more non-conference home games and going undefeated at Beeghly then playing WVU like they did really turned things around and gave fans hope.

It really seems like this is a tight-knit group that really plays together as a team.  There's lots of love for each other and not a lot of frustration shown like in years past.  Coach really has them believing and it's great to see him really embrace the team during and after the games.   

517

YSU Penguin Athletics / Detroit MBB game

« on: January 11, 2020, 10:25:06 AM »

This is the type of game YSU needs to win if it's going to to take a step to the next level and try to compete for a championship.  It's especially important with road games against N. Kentucky and Wright State next week. 

Detroit has always been a team YSU has struggled with whether they've been good or bad and this may be one of the worst teams they've had in awhile.  They've won 12 of the last 13 against YSU with the only win being last year at Detroit. It's mind blowing that's it's been 6 years since YSU beat them at home.  In the past, these games have usually always been high scoring and YSU has generally never been as athletic and as physical as them.    YSU is a 6.5 point favorite.   

YSU can't let Davis go off like he did last year at home.  He has the ability to light anyone up if he gets hot.  He's averaging over 24 a game, but surprisingly his 3-PT % is just 31%.  He's shooting 92% at the line at has got there 97 times.

They are 3-14 and haven't won a true away game this year.  They beat UC-Irvine on a neutral site and beat So. IL Edwardsville & N. KY at home.  They have played a lot of good teams...Gonzaga, Clemson, NC State, Notre Dame, and Kent St.  They also played competitive games against MAC schools of Toledo & Ohio.

518

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU 61 Oakland 60

« on: January 10, 2020, 12:05:31 AM »

Certainly a strange game but in the end it pretty much turned out what you expected...ugly, physical, low scoring, and down to the wire.  It's just unbelievable how many of the YSU-Oakland games have gone down to the wire over the years.  Oakland has generally always had a better team except maybe this year, but YSU seems to step up.  This game just goes to show you what I have said many times this year that if YSU can continue to play well defensively it'll keep them in games and get them some wins like tonight.  This game would have been ugly in years past, and really for as bad as the game started it could have been a lot worse. 

Seems liked YSU came out tight to start.  While Oakland's defense was good, YSU just couldn't knock down shots...had some good looks plus had some bad turnovers.  You had to think they'd start hitting shots but boy it seemed like the 1st half was ticking away fast.  I thought once YSU got it down to 6, they were back in the game and settled down.

In the second half, I kept thinking if YSU could ever stretch out the lead they may be ok and once it got to 6 it felt like they had the momentum, but then the lead was gone.  You just knew then it was going down to the final possession. 

After a tough first half that followed one of his worst games of the year, Quisenberry really stepped it up in the second half.  I was surprised on YSU's last possession they didn't pinch him to the sidelines and once he got past those 2 defenders at halfcourt he had a great shot at going all the way or at least drawing a foul.

Akuchie was tremendous.  I just love how he's improved his game so much.  I've really enjoyed watching him improve since his freshman year.  He's such a stronger and more confident player and it's great to see him knocking shots down.  He really was the difference in this game with 20 points & 10 rebounds. 

I wish Ola could really improve his strength and decision making.  It's too bad he lost so much time this year. 

Tough game for Covington.  Just couldn't get anything to fall and struggled with the ball, but he still played well on the defensive end.     

I think it's really critical YSU takes care of business on Saturday and get to 4-1 with Northern Kentucky and Wright St. up next on the road.  If they could split next week and get to 5-2, they have 5 straight home games against Milwaukee, Green Bay, UIC, IUPUI & Cleveland St.  Even though anything can happen in this league, you would have to feel pretty good about that stretch. 

The surprise of the league so far has to be Cleveland St.  They've won 3 straight games and are at 3-1.  And the way they've been playing, they have a shot at beating Oakland Saturday at home.

519

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU - CSU MBB

« on: January 05, 2020, 11:15:11 PM »

I couldn't agree more with the above 2 posts.  I thought the same thing that CSU basically duplicated how YSU has been playing, and that opening tip really did set the tone.  Those big dunks they had too really got them and their crowd into it.  Hard to believe YSU could outrebound WVU but get outrebounded by 7 to CSU.  It really shows you that when you play good defense it gives you a chance to win every game compared to this game when YSU shot the ball better from 3-PT than they did all year, make 8 more 3's than CSU and still lose by 8.

I know Simmons was struggling earlier in the season, but I'd like to see him start in place of Cathcart.  He's been playing much better of late.  I thought maybe too Hamperian might get some playing time after he played pretty decent earlier in the year.  Seems like Foster's PT has decreased too.

It's a weird league this year.  I thought Wright St. was clearly the class of the league and they only beat Detroit by 1 today.  It really shows after a few games that literally anyone can beat anyone.  CSU looked to be a dumpster fire back in the summer.  I was impressed with them getting some wins in non-conference and players others pretty tough.  Like I said above, I had a bad feeling about this game.  Add in IUPUI beating Green Bay and Milwaukee beating UIC.

I think the biggest surprises are CSU at 2-1, Oakland at 1-2, UIC at 1-3, and you could even say Northern KY only at 2-2. 

520

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU - CSU MBB

« on: January 05, 2020, 11:16:51 AM »

That was a game this team had to win. CSU owns Calhoun since he got here...

It took a buzzer beater 3 pointer by Cam Morse to beat CSU in Calhoun's first Horizon League game.  Since then, that's 5 straight losses. 

521

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.

522

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU vs UIC

« on: January 02, 2020, 10:04:29 PM »

You know I have been wondering why the change in style (to more of a traditional Horizon team) tough, with defense. I don't think that Calhoun's initial desire for more of an up-tempo/full-court game would turn out that well'; as I am not certain we can recruit the players for it. Those players (in DI) are going to bigger schools and finding at least 11-guys will be difficult.

Yeah I think the full court game went out the window mid-season last year.  I had said earlier last year Coach was going to have adjust.  Just didn't have the players for that and it was definitely hindering us especially in year one.  I do think sprinkling it in at times has been beneficial as this year it's either gotten some steals here & there and has slowed down the opponents offense. 

The change to really focus on defensive and how well we've improved in that aspect is really impressive.  It's won YSU several games this year that they would have lost last year even when they haven't shot well.  I think overall the shooting has definitely improved since earlier in the year; especially the FG & FT%.  The 3-PT % still isn't where it needs to be.  If we could start knocking down more 3's, could be a tough team to beat.  Devin Morgan has been real disappointing this year.  I thought he was excellent in the WVU game, but most games he just doesn't look like he's engaged or something.

523

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU vs UIC

« on: December 31, 2019, 09:41:32 AM »

Another great defensive effort.  If it wasn't for a couple of those cheap 3's at the end by UIC, they would have been held under 60.  UIC made just 2 3's until the closing seconds and that's a team that averages 8 made a game. 

Naz has really been the difference this year in a lot of games.  He's playing like how I had hoped more of last year.  He's becoming more of consistent scorer, better at finishing under the hoop or at least drawing fouls, and really controlling the boards.  Even more impressive has been his ball handling skills and pushing the ball up court.  He's tremendous and might just be the second best ball handler behind Quisenberry.   

That was a really good win.  After it went back and forth early, YSU pretty much was in control of the game leading by 5 or so points pretty much throughout.  UIC is a veteran team and to go there and win is pretty big.  YSU has really struggled with them losing 5 straight before beating them at home during the 6-game win streak.  Now YSU has a great opportunity to start 3-0 with a game Saturday at Cleveland St.  CSU has played better this year than I expected after losing several players and their coach.  It would be huge to grab 3 road games to start the year.

524

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU vs. WVU

« on: December 30, 2019, 11:55:44 AM »

A couple tough days for the buck fans. Too bad so sad! LOL

It is encouraging to see the FT and 3-PT shooting rise over the last several games.  Didn't shoot the ball well early in the season and cost us some games and made others more difficult than they should have been.  Defensive intensity wasn't as good on Saturday, but at least we shot the ball pretty well where earlier in the year that would have been a loss. 

I just looked back at last year and during league play, YSU gave up over 77 ppg on avg.  So far this year, YSU has only given up 77 or more on 3 occasions.  I really think if YSU can play well defensively as they have been, it'll keep them in all of the games and should give them an opportunity to win quite a few.  Tonight's game at UIC will be a good test.  It's a team YSU has struggled against and they like to play fast and shoot 3's.  They are a veteran team.  Their record is deceiving as they had some injuries and suspensions that kept some of their stars out of many of the non-conference games. 

525

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU won at IUPUI

« on: December 29, 2019, 01:07:48 AM »

It was one of those games you just want to get out of there with a win.  Thought YSU shot the ball well, which has been a good sign of late, and played well in spurts but just didn't have the defensive intensity that they've had and way too sloppy with the ball.  Lucky to get the win with 19 turnovers and them getting to the line 14 more times.  It's unbelievable how poor IUPUI shot from the line and couldn't even outscore YSU with 14 more attempts!

It was good to see Jelani have a good game...especially in that first half...looked more like how he played last year.  Quisenberry continues to be impressive putting up 23 even after struggling the first half with only 5 points.  Another strong game for Naz.  Akuchie played well and hit 3 big 3's.  Bentley gave us nice minutes and took care of the ball.  After such a good game against WVU, Morgan didn't look like he was engaged into the game. 

It's mind boggling to me Ola can't give us any mins without constantly fouling.  He had the same issues last year.  In his 2 games this year he fouled out in 7 mins against WVU and on Saturday picked up 4 fouls in 4 mins.  He's played 11 mins this year and has 9 fouls.   

YSU certainly has IUPUI's number winning 7 straight and 13 of 14.  What a horrible crowd there.  Looked like some non-conference game played at a strange time at a neutral site. 

Up next is UIC a team we've lost 5 of the last 6 to and was 5 in a row until beating them last year at home during that 6 game win streak.