YSU PREVIEW | Today’s game

MEN’S BASKETBALL

YSU (1-6) AT KENT STATE (3-5)

Tipoff: 7 p.m. today at M.A.C. Center in Kent Radio: WKBN-AM (570) Coaches: Jerry Slocum (Kings, N.Y. ‘75) is 31-64 in his fourth season with the Penguins and is 611-390 all-time; Geno Ford (Ohio, ‘97) is in his first season with the Flashes and is 54-37 overall.

YSU starters: Vytas Sulskis, 6-7, sophomore guard (12.3 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game); Jack Liles, 6-7 senior forward (7.6 ppg., 5.3 rpg); DeAndre Mays, 6-2 junior guard (9.3 ppg., 3.7 rpg.) Kelvin Bright, 6-4 junior guard (13.1 ppg., 2.9 rpg.); Sirlester Martin, 6-7 junior forward (10.3 ppg., 8 rpg.) Kent State starters: Jordan Mincy, 5-10 senior guard (2.5 ppg., 2.3 rpg.); Al Fisher, 6-1 senior guard (17.5 ppg., 4.0 rpg.); Chris Singletary, 6-4 junior guard (16.8 ppg., 4.3 rpg.); Julian Sullinger, 6-5 senior forward (6.6 ppg., 3.8 rpg.); Brandon Parks, 6-10 junior center (9.6 ppg., 6.8 rpg.)

Game notes: The Penguins have lost four straight. They’ve had an eight-day layoff since dropping a 79-71 contest at home to Horizon League opponent Butler on Dec. 6. The Penguins have had problems putting together a complete game this season and have either collapsed in the first half or second half. Junior transfer Kelvin Bright had a career-high effort against Butler with 24 points. Kent State has also been struggling this season. The Flashes, also idle since Dec. 6 when they dropped an 89-84 overtime decision to Western Carolina, have lost their last five after opening the season with three straight wins.

The series: This will be the 42nd meeting between the teams since 1929. The Flashes hold a 24-17 advantage and have won six of the last eight meetings. Kent defeated the Penguins in their last meeting in 2007 winning 57-52 in Youngstown. YSU won the last time the teams met at the M.A.C. Center in 2006, 62-58.

Next up: The Penguins will continue on the road Friday when they play High Point, N.C. in a 7 p.m. tip off. They will also play at Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 19 before returning home to take on Lock Haven on Dec. 29 in a 7:05 contest at Beeghly Center.

Pete Mollica