Men's basketball 2017 -2018

[ucfpengbuck]

It's about time that we start this party.  First game is this Saturday vs Kent State (6 days).   For all you anti-Slocum guys"you don't have Jerry to kick around anymore".

Coach Calhoun has a winning pedigree and does that continue at YSU ?   His style is fast paced with a lot of full court pressing.  Does this uptempo style mean more wins ?

Players not returning. Jorden Kauffman: The 7 footer had his moments but not sure this style is for him. 
Matt Donlan: One of the better 3 point shooters during the Slocum era but he struggled with consistency compared to his junior season. 
Brett Frantz: Also was up and down but shot better (3 ball) his sr yea  than his Junior year.
Latin Davis: Small but played hard. Nice point guard and wish him well at Wayne State.

Who Starts:
PG: Francisco Santiago:Should be solid.  Good floor general and has a decent stroke. Loves to drive hard to the basket(always right)and gets it done.
2G: Cameron Morse: Need I say more.  Great scorer and will go down as one of the great ones.
C/F:Devin Haygood: plays bigger than 6'7" with his length and leaping.  Devin needs to play smart and avoid silly fouls.  It's just basketball maturity for him.
SF:Braun Hartfield: Braun can beat you many ways and should have a big jump his soph year. No reason he shouldn't average 15ppg and 7rb.  Has all conference potential.
F: Tyree Robinson or
Naz Bohannon : Tyree comes from a good JC program.  He can leap with the best of them and the combo of his strength and leaping makes him a match up nightmare. Look for multiple dunks.  Naz was a great get for YSU.  Had some decent offers.  6'6" 230 he's a man already as a frosh.  Seems to handle the ball well and played with great intensity at Lorain HS.

Back ups:  Like Tyree & Naz we only Know about them from their highlight videos or if anyone had the stomach to watch on youtube the Cleveland pro-am league where most of the future Penguins played.

Alex Wilbourne: Seven footer who did not put up prolific scoring at the JC level but looks like he can run and should fit the system.  Will give minutes in the post.
Noe Anabir: Like Alex he put up limited scoring at the JC level.  Looks to play in the post with good muscle but can step out and hit the perimeter jumper.
Michael Akuchie: True frosh who can run the floor and who shot the 3 in High school.  At 6'8" he gives us nice size.  I thought he struggled a bit in the Pro am league but he was going against older guys.
Jacob Brown: He's 6'9"Freshmen and physically has to get stronger and he will in time.  Nice stroke.  Red shirt ? or play Him ?
Garrett Covington: Not sure what we have. 6'5" and looks like he can play multiple positions.  I think he'll be decent in this uptempo offense.
Jaylen Benton:6'3" senior transfer from SE Missouri.  Has D1 experience and looks like a two guard who can play the point too.  Nice pick up.
Jeremiah Ferguson: Unlike the previous guys(back ups)Ferguson played sparingly last season at YSU .  He had a limited resume as a freshmen but is supposed to be the back up at the pg.

There's a core group of non-scholarships players who may play or not.  I'm sure they're  worth their value in practice.  We will talk about these guys if and when they produce.

Predictions: very difficult  to get a read with a new coach and style of play not to mention a roster of new and unproven players.  Lot's of enthusiasm this time of year.  Tough non conference road schedule. 
16-15 with a 10-8 record in the Horizon.

[ValleyTalk]

Strollo played some significant time in the scrimmage and led the squad in points at half. He is one of those shooters that should do well in Calhoun’s system. Don’t forget him in your list. Other than that great write up on the squad.

Go Guins!

[ucfpengbuck]

Strollo played some significant time in the scrimmage and led the squad in points at half. He is one of those shooters that should do well in Calhoun’s system. Don’t forget him in your list. Other than that great write up on the squad.

Go Guins!

Yeah I kind of put Strollo with the rest of the walk on types.  I know he had a good career at Ursuline and hope he can add some shooting this season. 
Update on a few ex penguins.  Jordan Andrews was a starter in South Alabama's scrimmage.  He scored 9 points in 21 minutes.
Latin Davis put up 19 points on 9 of 11 from the field as Wayne State beat Detroit by 2 points in an exhibition,

[ytownchief22]

I think it's going to take some time for this team to gel and find itself so I expect some losses early but once they get going and get a rotation set in stone and some experience for the guys, it could be a fun year.

[YSUFANSINCE1990]

   If Ryan Strollo is getting significant minutes, YSU is in a lot trouble.  He is at best a D-2 player, and likely more suited for D-3. 

[ytownchief22]

   If Ryan Strollo is getting significant minutes, YSU is in a lot trouble.  He is at best a D-2 player, and likely more suited for D-3.

Agreed. He's a spot up 3 point shooter and that's it.

[Double ET]

   If Ryan Strollo is getting significant minutes, YSU is in a lot trouble.  He is at best a D-2 player, and likely more suited for D-3.

LOL, Honestly, what do you think he is going to tell the press about the son of his boss!
Based on his performance in the past, he was a pretty good shooter when he was open. The trouble is, he did not have the speed and skill to get open.

[ValleyTalk]

Who all will be making the trip to Akron Saturday Night? Go Guins!

[YsuPride]

Let's all embrace the new coaching staff. Lot of new players it's going to take some time to turn this around. He's got his work cut out for him. Schedule is very very tough on the road not many home games this year. We may take some lumps this year but upcoming years I think the program's going to be in very solid shape

[DoubleE]

Who all will be making the trip to Akron Saturday Night? Go Guins!

I will be their

[ytownchief22]

Interested to see how they match up tonight.