COLLEGE BASKETBALL \ YSU preview

Who: YSU (3-8, 0-2) vs. Detroit (4-7, 0-2) Tip-off: Today, 1:05 p.m. at Calihan Hall, Detroit. Radio: WKBN-AM 570. Coaches: Jerry Slocum (Kings, N.Y. ‘75) is 33-66 in his fourth season with the Penguins and 613-392 all-time; Ray McCallum (Ball State, ‘83) is in his first season with the Titans. YSU starters: Vytas Sulskis, 6-7, sophomore guard (11.8 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game); Jack Liles, 6-7 senior forward (7.8 ppg., 6 rpg); DeAndre Mays, 6-2 junior guard (8.5 ppg., 4 rpg.) Kelvin Bright, 6-4 junior guard (14.3 ppg., 4 rpg.); Sirlester Martin, 6-7 junior forward (9.8 ppg., 7.7 rpg.). Detroit starters: Thomas Kennedy, 6-7 junior forward (10.2 ppg., 4.4 rpg.); Michael Harrington, 6-8 senior forward (4.5 ppg., 5.3 rpg.); Jason Bennett, 7-3 junior center (2.0 ppg., 1.7 rpg.); Donavan Foster, 5-10 freshman guard (7.0 ppg., 1.7 rpg.); Woody Payne, 5-11 junior guard (8.5 ppg., 4.3 rpg.) Game notes: The Penguins posted their second home victory of the season on Monday with an 81-60 victory over Division II Lock Haven. The Penguins dominated the boards, outrebounding the Eagles 50-26 (including a 21-5 edge on the offensive boards). Detroit comes into the contest off a victory, a Dec. 23 67-55 win over Central Michigan that ended a 19-game road losing streak. The Titans are 0-2 at home this season and 0-2 in the Horizon League after dropping early contests to Milwaukee (71-62) and Green Bay (57-46), both on the road. The series: This is the 24th meeting between the teams, the last 16 have been when both teams were members of the Horizon League. YSU trails in the series 17-6, but the Penguins have won the last three meetings including both games last season. YSU won 70-66 at Detroit and 55-48 at YSU. The teams split in 2006-07 both winning at home. Prior to those four games the Penguins were 1-11 against the Titans since joining the league in 2001-02.

Pete Mollica