YSU PREVIEW \ Basketball
MEN
Who: YSU (7-18, 4-10) vs. Butler (17-10, 10-4).
When: Today, 7:05 p.m.
Where: Hinkle Field House, Indianapolis.
Radio: WNIO-AM (1390).
Coaches: Jerry Slocum (7-18) is in his first season at YSU and his 31st season (587-341) overall; Todd Lickliter (99-51) is in his fourth season with the Bulldogs.
Series: YSU snapped a nine-game losing streak against Butler on Jan. 21, winning 64-62 at Beeghly Center. The Penguins are 0-5 at Hinkle Field House including a 50-37 loss there a year ago.
YSU starters: Quin Humphrey, 6-foot-4 junior guard (18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists); Keston Roberts, 6-4 junior guard (15.1, 3, 1.9); Derrick Harris, 6-2, senior guard (8.4, 3.6, 5.5); John Barber, 6-6 sophomore forward (7.5, 4.9, 1.2); Jack Liles, 6-8 freshman forward, (3.4, 2.7, 1.5).
Butler starters: Bandon Polk, 6-6 senior forward (17.8 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game); A.J. Graves, 6-1 sophomore guard (13.5, 2.5, 3.1); Bruce Horan, 6-3 senior guard (11.1, 2.4, 1.2); Brandon Crone, 6-6 junior forward (9.8, 5.1, 2.1); Avery Sheets, 6-0 senior guard (8.8, 2.5, 3.4).
Game notes: The Penguins are on a six-game losing streak after dropping their ESPN Bracket Buster game at Canisius on Saturday. In that game, the Penguins jumped out to a 13-0 lead and led throughout the first half only to see the Golden Griffins shoot 76.9 percent in the second half and pull out the victory. In YSU's first meeting against Butler, the Penguins pulled out the victory when senior Domonique Crawford scored his only two points on two free throws with 28 seconds remaining and YSU held off the Bulldogs to snap a nine-game losing streak. Butler also lost in the Bracket Buster event falling at Kent State 80-76. But the Bulldogs have been playing well in the Horizon League winning eight of their last nine games. Their two losses in the last 10 games have both been in overtime.
Next up: The Penguins will complete regular-season play Saturday night when they play host to Loyola in a 7:05 tip-off at Beeghly Center.
Pete Mollica
43
