YSU Sports

New seasons, new focus for YSU

Slocum’s eyes on Vikings

YOUNGSTOWN -- Jerry Slocum has one focus -- today's first-round matchup against Cleveland State.

The Youngstown State University coach, whose contract ends after the season, saw his team handled by the Vikings last Saturday in Cleveland, 69-55.

The effort wasn't to Slocum's liking. The ninth-seeded Penguins (11-20) gave up 19 offensive rebounds and 19 second-chance points. The eighth-seeded Vikings (9-21) benefitted from 22 points off of 17 YSU turnovers.

"It makes it a game you're excited to get back in -- playing this team," said Slocum, whose team is 4-15 in the Horizon League Tournament and hasn't won a post-season game since 2013. "It's a game you just played. It's a quasi-rivalry game, if you want to. It's one our kids are looking forward to."

The regular season and inconsistency is in the past for the YSU coach and his team. He said everybody starts 0-0 in the tournament.

"I like to think that would be a strong motivation for us to come out and play," Slocum said.

One recent shining star for the Penguins is 7-foot senior Jorden Kaufman, who registered his fifth double-double in Saturday's game with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

"The thing with Jorden is he's not only scored well, but he's rebounded the ball well, too," Slocum said. "He's played well. We've had a lot of positive assists to him in terms of him getting trapped and him being the second pass out. He's really played well this last month."

Friday's game is at Joe Louis Arena, where this year's Horizon League Tournament is being held for the second straight season.

The tournament format has changed with the top two seeds, Oakland and Valparaiso, not getting double byes to the semifinals. Both teams have to play quarterfinal matchups Saturday.

Tonight's game is at 8. The winner plays top-seeded Oakland on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.

"It's a little more equitable for everybody," Slocum said. "Everybody's going to have to play a first-round game. They're only getting byes in the first round."

Slocum hopes today's first-round game means a better offensive night for the Penguins. They shot 41.5 percent against CSU, holding the Vikings to 34.3 percent.

"We had a lot of really good open shots," Slocum said. "I don't think we stepped up and made what I call makeable attempts.

"When you have 16 to 18 turnovers, that's doubling missed opportunities to have the ball to score. We have to get that number to eight-and-a-half to 10, which is best in the league. That's what they do to you. They're the best defensive team in the league, especially in their building. If you don't get to the foul line on them, you're really going to be in trouble. You just have to be opportunistic in terms of making your shots. You have to take care of the ball against them. You cannot give up empty possessions."

That's why his sole focus is on this game, despite his lingering contract.

Slocum's contract is year-to-year, a scenario that can go through 2019. After each season, YSU President Jim Tressel, along with consultation from Director of Athletics Ron Strollo, review and eventually sign off or decide not to on another year through what is called a university option. That decision is made by April 1.

That is currently not in Slocum's mind.

"I'm just talking about the tournament," he said.