Messages

106

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Men vs Oakland

« on: December 31, 2023, 05:00:56 PM »

Give Oakland credit they played a great game and their tough non conference schedule has prepared them for the league.   Not closing out on Lampman  who had a career game was not smart and our defense was not good today.

Not sure what the numbers in the paint were but nothing was easy for YSU on the interior .    Needed a big game from Rush and he never got it going.   Thought Thompson was solid and EJ Farmer might of played his best basketball today.

107

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU - Navy MBB

« on: December 21, 2023, 05:10:06 PM »

Great work by DJ Burns in scoring and rebounding.   If the guys can increase their percentage from three this probably would have been a blow out but credit Navy for not laying down although I thought YSU should of won by 20.

The bench and minutes looked to get tighter today.   Need Thompson to keep his tenacity but not get silly fouls.  I'm starting to think he might be the straw that stirs the drink going forward.

Just noticed in the box score that there was a block party.  Guys had 10 blocks today.

108

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Men's basketball vs Bethany

« on: December 14, 2023, 07:19:51 PM »

I  think coach is losing his mind because of close out on shooters and over all lack of discipline on defense. I'm sure they'll blow them out but our guys love to leave their feet on ball fakes.

109

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Men's basketball vs Bethany

« on: December 14, 2023, 03:01:50 PM »

I also heard coach say that Western Illinois paid 25k to pull out so Bethany filled the void as Lake Erie did for Niagra.  I'm thinking he wants to maintain Westminster as the one non-D1 game and the others were unfortunate circumstances.

I was under the impression that freshmen can play in four games and still maintain their red shirt status.   Should we expext to see some of thr frosh that haven't seen the court this season ?

110

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU men's team vs Western Michigan

« on: December 09, 2023, 03:50:46 PM »

Obviously Ziggy was the star of the game.   You never know who the man each night is going to be and there are at least six guys who can be the team leader on any given night.
Was worried that the guys might be a little emotionally spent after the win at Ohio.

Got to be happy anytime you win on the road.  After the Lake Erie game I looked at the schedule and thought we would be in trouble the next five games while the team exceeded my expectations winning four of five.

111

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Mens Basketball vs ohio u

« on: December 06, 2023, 09:46:46 PM »

Great win.   Guys rebounded and got after on D.     I like the spark that Thompson has brought since becoming a starter.   D J Byrnes played one of his better games.   He needs to avoid silly fouls to keep his minutes up.
once again Dynes has played well off the bench.

112

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Four Reach Double Figures in 71-57 Win at Robert Morris

« on: December 03, 2023, 09:21:52 PM »

The guys got up by 24 and lost their intensity which happens and basketball is game of runs.   Happy to go on the road for 14 point win.
Brett Thompson has played well since being inserted in the starting five.  He's been playing with some audacity.

The ex coach who was on the broadcast made a point that YSU has multiple guys that can lead them on any night which a lot of us have seen .  No super star but a bunch of guys who look to be learning how to play together. 

Have to say Gabe Dynes has played better than I would have expected.  Blocking and altering at the rim and has been a weapon on defense.  He sets perfect screens and makes the right pass.  His confidence and minute look to be on the rise.

113

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Cleveland State next men's basketball game

« on: November 29, 2023, 09:50:39 PM »

Most complete game of the season.  Defense and rebounding was on point.  Gabe Dynes has been a pleasant surprise.   Blocked shots,had some nice lob dunks,and has some nice passes.  Look forward to him playing with confidence and being aggressive.

Lovelace has all the skills and talent just needs to also stay confident and keep attacking.

CSU is a better team than they showed.   Won't be easy on 2/17 when we go there.

Is this team starting to have chemistry or is it to early to say ?

114

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU VS DAYTON

« on: November 24, 2023, 09:12:53 PM »

No moral victories but the guys fought and hung in there.  Can't complain and hats off to the flyers who had the size.   Nice to see Ziggy play well.

115

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU VS DAYTON

« on: November 24, 2023, 04:04:24 PM »

My gut tells me this could be ugly.   My heart says no and my brain says the heart will lead you astray.   Go guins!

116

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU - Lake Erie MBB

« on: November 20, 2023, 01:21:23 PM »

To be fair, Lake Erie is D2 and they only lost to Utah Tech by 12 on Saturday, but the nonetheless that should have easily been a 30-40 point victory.

A lot better energy the 2nd half, but this team needs to learn how to play a 40-minute game.  They really were bailed out the last 2 games by bench players in Bates on Friday & Lovelace on Sunday. 

Not really sure what to think about this team after 5 games.  Looks like Burns is a pretty consistent player and hopefully can be a force all season. Need more out of Rush as he just can't get going.  Take out his 32-point game that he basically played the entire game against NAIA Ohio Christian and he's averaging under 9 a game.  Some other guys are going to have to step up.

Coach Calhoun really seems frustrated.  He said if he was going to rebuild he would have taken a job elsewhere so you have to go out and get seniors.  Tough stretch coming up with Dayton, CSU, RMU & Ohio.

Feel the same way about the team.  They seem hesitant/tenative and not sure of them self on offense which leads to bad takes.   Hopefully we won't be saying the same things about our shooting a month from now.   Shots are there but not dropping.

A 20 point win over a D2 is ok but being in battle with a D2 team with 10 minutes left is not good.   YSU won because they out athletic Lake Erie not by being better in basketball.

Langdon who has been the most consistent in the early season really struggled yesterday.   I think he bounces back and that was an anomaly.   Really like DJ Byrnes' enthuiasim.  Seems like a great teammate.  Lovellace needed that boost and needs to build off this performance.

Got a chance to chat with coach Slocum.  Seems like he's not up on the team or knew who the players were.  Does he live out of the area ?

Felt bad for Josh Irwin who didn't play well and looked to be amped up for the game.  I think he'll do well there and be a nice duo with #34 who was impressive for Lake Erie.

117

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: YSU - Utah Tech MBB

« on: November 18, 2023, 07:26:17 PM »

Nice to see Byrnes and langdon playing well.  Langdon has been consistent and he doesn't turn it over .  He has an inate ability to create space to get his shot off.

props to Jaylen Bates and would like to see him build of this performance.
B Rush is very gifted but he needs to know what is a good or not good shot .  Perhaps move in a foot or two on his shots and go strong to the basket instead of finessing it.

Defense has a bad tendency to leave their feet on pump fakes.  need to stay planted.

Credit the team for playing hard and hopefully level up.

118

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Murray State Game Week

« on: November 17, 2023, 09:07:02 AM »

Murry state is 2-8 but has been in a few games this year.  I smell upset and the idea that we are playing for nothing but pride now.  Playoffs are a foregone conclusion that we will not make them even if we win 55-0 this coming saturday.  I call it like i see it.

Agree.  Can't see a 3 MVFC loss team getting in.  Hope I eat crow.

119

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Mens basketball vs OHIO Chrisitain

« on: November 15, 2023, 09:38:03 AM »

     Strong research by ucfpengbuck on a fundamental aspect of YSU basketball.  The facts support questioning
Calhoun’s ability to recruit in the high schools.

     Bohannon and Ackuchie are the only high school recruits I can recall who came in as freshmen and stayed four years.

     

   

You can add Garrett Covington to that list.

I did this for fun and curiosity .  I really don't think it reflects on Coach Calhoun as bad as it might look.

1. I'm sure I could do the same for all the Horizon league schools and you would find that the guys who transferred out have a similar outcome.  Even a schools like OSU who gets 4 stars.   These guys don't go D2 but they might go another D1 and you never hear of them again(Alonzo Gaffney,luther Muhammad,Justin Ahrens).

2.YSU being a mid-major or a lower mid-major has to recruit a player that might be under the radar or who has an upside down the road and might be a project his first 2 years.   Cheick Traore may be an example of a guy that has nice size and could be a defensive force down low and hopefully add some offense as he matures in the program.   If he's a back up at Chowan then obviously it didn't happen but was it worth a shot ?
On the other hand Josh Irwin had offers from MAC schools.   Saw him play and he was a knock down 3 point shooter with a strong frame and he sat on the bench for 2 years.

3. We have already beat the dead horse of Beeghly and other basketball facilities and Youngstown being in the rust belt .  Has to be some what of a disadvantage.

4.Transfer portal is the way coach C is now going and freshmen are going to sit while 5 year grad guys are getting the minutes which will always lead to an exodus.   Coach needs to win and some feelings might be hurt .

We can criticize coach C in the micro but not sure in the macro.  Program has had winning teams since he took over and a championship which leads to higher expectations after we  the fans get a taste of winning after so many years of mediocracy.   Still worried this present team might be a step back.  Long season to go and hope I'm wrong.

120

YSU Penguin Athletics / Re: Mens basketball vs OHIO Chrisitain

« on: November 14, 2023, 05:59:03 PM »

Just for fun I thought it would be cool to update some ex Penguins and after looking at their stats I'm wondering why some were on scholarship at YSU.

Shemar Rathan Mayes NC Wilmington after 2 games is avering 4.5 a game as a back up.

Will Dunn Grand Valley State (D2) starts and is averging 10.5 pts and 9 rebounds in 2 games.

Myles Hunter University of Tampa (D2) has made 1 of 10 shots in 2 games .  Not a starter.

Daniel Ogoro St Thomas Fl (naia)  back up averging 4.3 pt a game on 29% shooting.

Jacori Owens Belmont Abbey (D2) starter 6.5 pts and 5.5 rebounds per game .  Played 2 games.

Michael Lucarotti Gannon college (D2) back up 6.0 pts a game,  Played 2 games.

Josh Irwin Lake Erie college (D2 ) 10 pts per game and 4.5 rebounds.  Started 1 of 2 games.

Cheick Traore Chowan college (D2) back up 3.5 pt per game and 6 rebounds after 2 games.

Owen Long Emporia state (D2) 16.5 pts per game.  Led them last season with over 17 pts per game.

Luke Chicone John Carroll university (D3) 26 points per game after 2 games.

Alex Vargo Garrett College MD (juco) 28 pts per game and 9 rebounds.   59% field goal

As you can see a lot of these guys might have been a reach playing D1 .   I watched two of Vargo's games and after the first one I thought maybe YSU can recruit him again but the 2nd one he had a bad game and I thought nice basketball player and maybe athleticsm might be an achillies heel at D1.    Alex was out of basketball for two years.  The competition was pretty weak.

Love Luke Chicone.  Should of red shirted his frosh season at YSU and stayed the course.   Needs strength at the D1 level to go along with his skill set.

It's early but shocked that Shemar and Myles are deep back ups,