Men's basketball hurt by situations

Problems continue to mount for the Youngstown State men's basketball program.
The latest problem involves junior starting point guard Doug Underwood, who was recently arrested on an assault charge.
In response, the university put Underwood on suspension, and he is no longer with the team.
Underwood has the option to sit out next season, then reapply for admission to the university in January, and if he makes up all his academic work he would be eligible to return for the 2005-06 season.
That scenario is highly unlikely, as there has never been any love loss between the 6-foot-3 guard and YSU coach John Robic the last three seasons.
Underwood's importance
Robic will be in his final year of a four-year contract next season, and unless there is a major turnaround his job status will be tenuous.
Without Underwood, who led the team in scoring with over 12 points a game, plus the graduation of the next two top scorers and top rebounders, Adam Baumann and TeJay Anderson, the Penguins will not likely be considered a contender in the Horizon League.
There is also a possibility that two of Robic's underclassmen are in the process of transferring.
Sophomore guard Andy Jahnke and freshman Craig Anderson, who both saw limited action a year ago, are reportedly considering leaving.
The question facing the Penguins is, will more players follow?
It's not likely that YSU athletic director Ron Strollo will consider giving Robic a contract extension before he sees what happens next season.
The Penguins have some young talent returning and a couple of players already on campus who will make up next year's team.
The current situation is definitely going to make any recruiting possibilities difficult with the uncertainty that lies in the program.
In addition, according to NCAA rules, Robic would not be able to replace the scholarships of Jahnke or Anderson for another year.
Spring football
The YSU football team got in its first two practices of the spring on Friday and Saturday before the weather forced the cancellation of Sunday's session, which was to be the team's first in full pads.
YSU coach Jon Heacock, who is in his fourth season, was pleased with the team's first two workouts, in which the players practiced with helmets.
"Everybody looks good in skeleton drills," Heacock said. "But we'll find out a lot more once we put on the pads and start hitting."
The big question this spring is the same one that has been lingering the last two -- who's going to be the starting quarterback?
Junior Aaron Marshall, who has started most of the YSU games the past two years, is still the No. 1 candidate, but he's expected to get a good run from freshman redshirt Tom Zetts of Boardman and redshirt freshman transfer Vince Gliatta, a Canton native who spent the last two seasons at Penn State as a defensive back.
All three have been impressive in the first two days of workouts, but then as Heacock noted, "Even I would look good back there in these drills."
On the diamond
Weather permitting, the YSU baseball and softball teams will see some action this week. The softball team is home to Kent State on Tuesday at McCune Park in Canfield, while the baseball squad plays host to Cleveland State this weekend at Eastwood Field.
XPete Mollica covers YSU athletics for The Vindicator. Write to him at mollica@vindy.com.