Horizon chief expects YSU teams to improve

Jonathan LeCrone talked about the Horizon League's new tournament format.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Even Horizon League Commissioner Jonathan LeCrone expects better things for the Youngstown State basketball teams this season.
LeCrone was a special guest Wednesday night at the YSU Tipoff dinner, held at the DeBartolo Stadium Club.
LeCrone, in his 12th season as Horizon League commissioner, spoke briefly to a capacity crowd, which included coaches and players from both YSU teams.
"I know that Youngstown State was picked to finish down in the standings this year, but I also expect both teams to be much better than people think they are," he said.
LeCrone, who was just appointed to a five-year term to the prestigious Division I men's basketball tournament committee, talked about the league's new tournament format, which was implemented last year for the men and will include the women this season.
"With our new format Youngstown State and any other team in our conference could become hosts for the tournament championship game," LeCrone said.
First round games and quarterfinal games will be played on campus sites, at the higher seeds. The highest remaining seed will then serve as the host for the semifinals and championship games.
For the women, the full format change will not go into effect until the 2007 tournament, allowing UW-Milwaukee (2004), Wright State (2005) and Youngstown State (2006) the opportunity to host, providing they are one of the remaining four teams.
Bracket Buster
LeCrone said YSU's men's team will participate in the ESPN Bracket Buster event on Feb. 21. Five of the conference teams will play host to a game, while YSU and two others will play on the road.
New YSU women's coach Tisha Hill and men's coach John Robic, in his fifth season, introduced their players and assistant coaches.
"This is an exciting year, brand new for me and we've got 14 outstanding young ladies on this team," Hill said.
"We were picked to finish eighth in the pre-season poll, but we know that we are not going to finish the season eighth," she added. "My expectations are high for this group."
The women play host to the Premier All-Stars in an exhibition game Sunday at 2 p.m. at Beeghly Center.
Robic has one of the largest squads since he's been at YSU, with 16 players.
"In fact we went to scrimmage last week and it was crowded on the bus," he said. "They are competing against one another every day and that is only going to make us a better team."
Robic likes on his six freshmen.
"This is the best freshman class and the most athletic freshman class that we've had since I've been here," he said. "We are much better than we were a year ago."
Done recruiting
Robic also said that he's already finished recruiting for next season.
"I can't say much about it, but we will definitely be bringing in some big players, two of them 6-[foot-] 10," he said.
The men team will hold its exhibition opener Monday at 7 p.m. at Beeghly Center against the 320 All-Stars.
Both exhibition games are free admission.
Both teams' regular season openers will take place Nov. 22. The men travel to Niagara and the women will play host to Bowling Green at 7 p.m. at Beeghly Center.
mollica@vindy.com