Penguins head into big week
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YOUNGSTOWN -- If ever there were a sprint to the finish, it's what the Youngstown State men's basketball team is about to embark on.
The Penguins are set to play three games in five days, and two of those are against teams currently in the Horizon League's top five. YSU (14-10, 8-6) hosts Oakland (16-7, 9-3) and Detroit Mercy (9-11, 6-4) tonight and Friday, respectively, and then caps off its busy slate with a Sunday contest against Robert Morris (6-17, 4-10).
"We're excited about the opportunity. Our team has gotten better. Over a month, I think our kids have really locked in and bought into the game plans, and you're seeing us execute those," said YSU coach Jerrod Calhoun, whose team has won four straight. "But we understand the competition that awaits. It's a great opportunity for the fans of Youngstown State to watch this team."
While YSU is looking to extend its streak, Oakland is looking to end a streak of its own. The Golden Grizzlies were swept during their road trip last weekend, falling to Northern Kentucky 87-78 and Wright State 75-64.
YSU met the Golden Grizzlies on New Year's Day, an 87-72 OU win. Tonight's game (ESPN+, 570 AM WKBN) tips off at 7 p.m.
Oakland has four players averaging in double figures, led primarily by Jamal Cain's 19.5 points per game. Cain is averaging a double-double, as he snags 10.3 rebounds per game, too.
In addition, Trey Townsend scores 15.3 per game, Jalen Moore adds 15.2 and Micah Parrish is averaging 10.6 points per game.
Those four, along with Blake Lampman and Osel Price, play the significant majority of OU's minutes.
"Very, very well-coached, potentially two all-league players (Cain and Townsend) and potentially maybe a player of the year (in Cain)," Calhoun said. "I think one of the most improved players in our conference is Trey Townsend, (they have an) X-factor in Blake Lampman, and they're really, really good."
Defensively, Calhoun says Oakland features a 1-3-1 zone, but doesn't stick to traditional 1-3-1 principals. The Golden Grizzlies base that zone on their length.
"They're going to put (6-foot-8 players) on the ball, they're going to put (6-foot-8 players) in the middle, they're going to have great length on the wings," Calhoun said. "They're going to try to not let you throw the ball to the corner. They do a lot of good things out of their zone."
He added, "They do a lot of different things, a lot of passing on the drive, that sort of thing."
UDM, meanwhile, is paced by Antoine Davis, the son of head coach Mike Davis. He's Detroit Mercy's all-time leading scorer and also leads the Horizon League at 23.3 points per game.
Madut Akec (14 ppg) and Bryon Ottrix Jr. (11 ppg) also average in double figures.
Of Antoine Davis, Calhoun said, "Another player of the year candidate, if not one of the best players and scorers in the country."
Detroit Mercy lost its first six games of the season -- all nonconference matchups -- but has won four of its last five contests, including a 74-68 win at NKU on Saturday. The Penguins and Titans don't have a previous meeting this season, as the one scheduled for Dec. 30 was canceled and ruled a no contest.
Finally, Robert Morris comes to Beeghly on Sunday. YSU topped the Colonials in Moon Township, Pa., on Jan. 5, 64-60. The game was filled with turnovers, as the Penguins overcame 26 giveaways to escape with the victory.
RMU split its recent road trip to IUPUI and UIC, falling to UIC 80-75 before topping the Jaguars 66-48. The Colonials have won three of their last four.
Kahliel Spear is scoring 13.8 points per game, while Rasheem Dunn has 12.8. Michael Green III adds 11.1 points.
Of preparing for the trio of upcoming contests in short order, Calhoun concluded, "Not a lot of sleep (for coaches). The biggest thing I try to do is give our guys some ingredients to the game, try to break down our opponent and get them to understand how you beat each opponent.
"Each opponent's different; each opponent presents a different challenge. The tough part about our league is you play so many games in a short period of time, so you don't have a lot of prep time. That can be pretty difficult on a staff, but more important on our players. So you don't want to overcomplicate things."