YSU set for Robert Morris, IUPUI
Penguins looking to bounce back from Horizon League tournament loss a year ago
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YOUNGSTOWN -- It's a crucial time of the year for the Youngstown State men's basketball team.
After a loss to Purdue Fort Wayne on New Year's Eve, the Penguins sit with an overall record of 10-5 and are currently 2-2 in Horizon League play. It's not exactly where head coach Jerrod Calhoun wants to be, but with the level of play in the conference this season, he knows his team needs to bring its best each night.
"There are no easy nights inside of our conference. A lot of coaches say that, but I truly believe that this year," Calhoun said. "This conference is really pretty good, so you have to bring it every night. Our group has got to win some close, tough games. We're playing well, but I think the great teams are the teams that keep getting better, and they have to stick together during those 6-0 runs, 8-0 runs and then respond. We are still figuring it out, believe it or not."
The Penguins will have the opportunity to do just that this weekend with matchups against Robert Morris and IUPUI on Thursday and Saturday, respectively, at the Beeghly Center.
A year ago, the Colonials knocked the Penguins out of the Horizon League tournament with a first-round victory and have been punching above their weight this season.
Despite their overall record of 7-8, Robert Morris has gone .500 in Horizon League play so far and is coming off a two-game stretch where it defeated Purdue Fort Wayne, 75-70, before suffering a puzzling loss to Cleveland State, 63-54, on New Year's Eve. But, they've tallied 68.6 points per game, while allowing 65.2.
"It starts with Andy (Toole), it starts with their coach. He's been there a long time and he's established a winning culture, winning program," Calhoun said.
The Colonials also are led by a three-headed monster in Enoch Cheeks, Kahliel Spear and Josh Corbin. All three score in double-digits, and Cheeks leads the way scoring 17.5 points per game while tallying 4.6 rebounds. Spears is averaging 13.9 points and 7.4 rebounds, while Corbin is scoring 12.1 points per game.
"Cheeks can do a little bit of everything. He can get to the rim, he can make a perimeter shot and he can drive the ball," Calhoun said. "Spear is kinda the same thing. He's probably one of the best athletes in this conference. He blocks shots, he's good around the rim, capable three-point shooter. Then, Josh Corbin, I've seen him for a number of years, an Ohio kid, Columbus area, transferred in from Winthrop, so very familiar with him. All three of them do it a little differently. Different things."
Calhoun added the Colonials are also strong defensively, and he struggles to find their weaknesses on defense.
"They guard the ball, they are good in their pick-and-roll coverages, and they are good at getting in back in transition and setting the floor and not letting you play in transition," Calhoun said. "They are good with their ball pressure and I think they have an edge. They have a toughness about them."
With four new starters this season and a pretty big turnover roster-wise, the Penguins are still in the process of coming together. It has shown at times this season, but as time goes on, Calhoun is hoping they can develop confidence in their individual games in order to take another step forward as a team. He said that's been a focus point in recent weeks, both for the players, and the coaches.
"I think we have done a good job of getting in the gym early in the morning and seeing shots going through the basket. I think it starts with skill development, we are big on that," Calhoun said. "Whether it is getting a transition shot, a curl shot, a pick and roll. You have to see the ball go through the basket I think in your individual stuff and that will breed some confidence.
"But as you ask your players to improve, the coaches have to improve, too. Certainly with our sub patterns, certainly with our in-game coaching and adjusting on both sides of the ball, we are going to make some adjustments heading into these two games."
Youngstown State will tip-off against Robert Morris at 7 p.m. Thursday and will take on IUPUI at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Staff writer Joel Whetzel also contributed to this report