Slocum has hands full getting YSU team ready

The new coach is trying to mold a team that can turn around a losing record.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- New Youngstown State men's basketball coach Jerry Slocum loves this time of the year.
"We're still undefeated and the kids are willing to do just about anything that you ask of them," Slocum said Wednesday during the Penguins' annual media day at Beeghly Center.
Slocum became the 12th head basketball coach in YSU history back on April 12 and brings 30 years of head coaching experience with him.
The 53-year-old also has the distinction of being the most-winning head coach at three different schools, leading Gannon College, Geneva College and Nyack College to winning records before coming here.
Slocum replaces John Robic, whose contract was not renewed following last season when the Penguins lost 20 games for the fourth straight season.
Only eight active Division I college coaches have more victories than Slocum (580) and the new Penguin mentor ranks 17th on the current all-time list for coaching victories.
Has his hands full
But Slocum has his hands full as he takes over a program that has gone just 27-83 over the past four seasons, never winning more than four games in any one Horizon League campaign.
His first duty when taking over the reigns was to recruit players that could come in and help immediately. He feels he's done that, signing four top players, including three that will compete this year. The fourth will sit out this season with two years of eligibility remaining.
Slocum brought in 6-4 junior Keston Roberts, a junior college transfer from Connors State JC and Brooklyn, N.Y.
He also added 6-8 freshman Jack Liles from Laurel, Md., and 6-2 guard Mikko Niemi from Kangasala, Finland. The fourth recruit is 6-2 guard Byron Davis, a transfer from New Mexico State and Detroit, Mich., who will sit out this year because of the NCAA transfer rule.
Slocum expects all three of his recruits to play this year, although he doesn't know where or how much.
The holdovers
Returning from last year's team are 6-4 junior Quin Humphrey, the team's top returning scorer, and 6-2 senior point guard Derrick Harris.
Also back from last year's team are seniors Domonique Crawford (6-4) and Mike Adams (6-11) along with junior Dwight Holmes (6-6) and sophomores John Barber (6-6), Colin LaForme (6-10) and Alex Sanchez (6-8).
Junior guard Craig Wellman from Kennedy Catholic High in Hermitage and sophomore Brian Williams, a transfer from Oral Roberts, are both walk-ons.
The Penguins have been working out three times a week and will begin full workouts on Oct. 14.
"I've been impressed with the effort these kids have put forth in workouts to date," Slocum said. "They've had to digest a lot of new stuff and they've handled it very well.
"Are we going to better than we were? I hope so, but we are also nowhere near where we need to be to compete in the Horizon League."
Slocum said the Penguins' schedule is exciting but also rugged. After opening at St. Francis and coming home to play Slippery Rock, the Penguins play four of the next five on the road, facing Akron, Kent, Marshall, Eastern Michigan and St. Bonaventure.
"We can't afford to get banged up early in the year," he said. "We have to stay healthy."