PREVIEW \ Youngstown State University basketball

MEN
YSU (6-7, 1-1) vs. LOYOLA (9-4, 1-0)
When: Today, 4:25 p.m.Where: Beeghly Center.
Radio: WNIO-AM 1390; WYFX FOX 17/62 (tape delayed at 10:30 p.m.).YSU projected starters: Forwards Jack Liles (6-8 sophomore, 6.1 points per game) and Dwight Holmes (6-6 senior, 3.8 ppg); guards Quin Humphrey (6-4 senior, 17.9 ppg), Byron Davis (6-2 junior, 8.3 ppg) and Keston Roberts (6-4 senior, 17.2 ppg).Loyola projected starters: Andy Polka (6-7 freshman, 6.5 points per game); Leon Young (6-6 sophomore, 9.5 ppg); Blake Schilb (6-7 senior, 15.9 ppg); Majak Kou (6-5 senior, 11.5 ppg); J.R. Blount (6-1 sophomore, 13.5 ppg.).
Coaches: Jerry Slocum (The King's, N.Y. '75) is 13-28 in his second year at YSU and 593-352 in 32 seasons overall. Jim Whitesell (Luther '82) is 41-32 in his third season at Loyola and 319-226 in 19 years of college coaching.
Notes: The Penguins just completed a four game road trip winning three of the four including two straight, the last one a 62-58 victory at Kent State on Dec. 22. The Penguins got a game-high 22 points from senior guard Keston Roberts, but the play of 6-8 sophomore Jack Liles, who had his first career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, was the difference in the contest. The Penguins trail 8-7 in the overall series and split with the Ramblers a year ago winning in Chicago 84-76 and losing at home 87-84. They also dropped a 76-61 contest to the Ramblers in the first round of the Horizon post-season tournament last year. Loyola is coming off a 72-69 win over UC Irvine and the Ramblers have won three of their last four games. They are 3-3 on the road and 1-0 in the Horizon League with a 71-52 win over UW-Green Bay in Chicago. Loyola is averaging 74 points a game and is shooting 47 percent from the field.
Next: YSU will remain at home for its next contest, a Tuesday meeting with Akron. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m. at Beeghly Center.
WOMEN
YSU (2-9, 0-1) VS. BUTLER (4-8, 1-0)
Game time: 2:05 p.m.Where: Beeghly Center.Radio/TV: WNIO-AM 1390; WYFX FOX 17/62 (tape delayed at Sunday, 12:30 a.m.).YSU projected starters: Heather Karner (5-10 junior, 14.2 points per game); Monique Godfrey (5-8 sophomore, 9.8 ppg); Nikita LaFleur (6-1 sophomore, 4.3 ppg); Lauren Branson (5-7 junior, 2.7 ppg); Anjalia Lyons (6-4 freshman, 6.1 ppg)Butler projected starters: Jackie Closser (5-5 senior, 11.6 points per game); Ellen Hamilton (5-10 senior, 10.5 ppg); Cassie Freeman (5-10 junior, 6.5 ppg); Lade Akande (6-1 sophomore, 10.8 ppg); Tara Miller (5-10 sophomore, 13 ppg)
Coaches: Tisha Hill (Indiana '93) is 26-69 in her fourth season with the Penguins. Beth Couture (Erskine '84) is in her fifth season with the Bulldogs with a 53-74 record.
Notes: The Penguins dropped their Horizon League opener on Thursday night, losing to Wright State 57-52 on another poor shooting night along with 20 turnovers. The Penguins are averaging 20 turnovers a game and their overall shooting percentage isn't much better than they shot against the Raiders. Junior Heather Karner has been the only consistent player for the Penguins as she hit her average against the Raiders with 14 points. Butler is coming off a 66-57 win at Cleveland State on Thursday in its league opener. The Bulldogs won their second straight game against the Vikings. They had beaten Tennessee State in their previous game. Butler has played a rugged pre-league schedule that included Louisville, Purdue, Illinois and Air Force. Thursday's win was the Bulldogs' first road win of the season after six straight losses.
Up next: The Penguins will begin a two-game road trip on Thursday at Loyola of Chicago. Tip-off is set for 5:45 p.m.
Vindicator staff report