YSU Basketball previews

January 29, 2009 at 12:08a.m.

MEN’S TEAM

Who: YSU (6-13, 3-6) vs. Wright State (12-8, 6-3) Tip-off: 7:35 p.m. at Beeghly Center. Radio/TV: WKBN-AM 570; MyYTV (taped 10 p.m.)SFlbCoaches: Jerry Slocum (Kings, N.Y. ‘75) is 36-71 in his fourth season with the Penguins and 616-397 all-time; Brad Brownell (DePauw, ‘99) is in his third season with the Raiders with a record of 56-28 and a career mark of 139-68 in seven seasons. YSU starters: Tom Parks, 6-6 sophomore guard (1.8 points per game, 1.4 rebounds per game); Jack Liles, 6-7 senior forward (8.4 ppg., 6.0 rpg); DeAndre Mays, 6-2 junior guard (11.2 ppg., 4.3 rpg.) Kelvin Bright, 6-4 junior guard (13.8 ppg., 2.9 rpg.); Sirlester Martin, 6-7 junior forward (9.5 ppg., 7.7 rpg.) Wright State starters: Cory Cooperwood, 6-7 junior forward (9.2 ppg., 4.9 rpg.); John David Gardner, 6-4 junior guard (9.2 ppg., 2.5 rpg.); Todd Brown, 6-5 junior guard) 9.1 ppg., 4.9 rpg.); Will Graham, 6-2 senior guard (4.9 ppg., 2.8 rpg.); Ronnie Thomas, 6-9 junior forward (3.6 ppg., 3.4 rpg.) Game notes: After playing one of their best games of the season last Friday in a 64-60 win over Cleveland State, the Penguins returned to their struggling offensive ways on Monday in a 67-53 loss to Akron. The Penguins have really been struggling at the free throw line the last two games where they have made just 27-of-50 attempts. Mays has been one of the most consistent performers for the Penguins, scoring 16 and 18 points in the last two games. Wright State has probably been the hottest team in the Horizon League next to Butler over the past month. The Raiders have won four straight and 10 of their last 11 games. The only loss over the span was at Butler, 64-48. Last weekend the Raiders won a pair at home over Loyola 68-47 and UIC 57-31. UIC was one of the top offensive teams in the league. Series: This is the 38th meeting between the Penguins and Wright State with the Raiders holding a 30-7 advantage in the series which dates to 1977. Earlier this season the Penguins suffered a 60-59 loss to the Raiders at the Nutter Center. The Raiders have won three straight, including a pair last season. YSU’s last win in the series came in 2005-06 in a 72-57 win at Beeghly Center. Up next: The Penguins will continue at home with their fourth straight game at Beeghly Center, playing host to Detroit Saturday at 7:05 p.m.. It will be the second game of a doubleheader with the YSU women playing in the opener.

Who: YSU (2-16, 0-7) vs. Illinois-Chicago (10-7, 4-3)SFlbWhen: 5:15 p.m. at Beeghly Center Radio/TV: WKBN-AM (570); MyYTV (taped, after men’s game) Coaches: Cindy Martin (Florida ’99) is in her first season with the Penguins and is 72-39 in her career. Lisa Ryckbosch (Loyola, ‘84) is 98-96 in her sixth season with the Flames. YSU probable starters: Macey Nortey, 5-foot-3 freshman guard (5.5 points per game), 2.3 rebounds per game); Kelsey Gurganus, 5-8 senior guard (6.3 ppg., 2.7 rpg.); Jaquetta Westley, 5-7 junior guard (7.2 ppg., 2.7 rpg.); Tiara Scott, 6-0 senior forward (8.9 ppg., 4.7 rpg.); Nikita LaFleur, 6-2 senior center (9.3 ppg., 8.2 rpg.). Illinois-Chicago probable starters: Jessie Miller, 5-8 junior guard (12.5 ppg., 4.3 rpg.); Meghan Hutchens, 6-0 senior guard (7.7 ppg.,l 2.7 rpg.); Jasmine Bailey, 5-8 freshman guard (11.5 ppg., 7.2 rpg.); Shameia Green, 5-7 freshman guard (8.5 ppg., 2.2 rpg.); Cassie Johnson, 6-2, junior center (6.0 ppg., 5.0 rpg.) Game notes: The Penguins are returning home after another disappointing road trip that included losses at Wright State (72-41) and at Detroit (73-50). They have lost eight straight games and 13 of their last 14, and have not been within 20 points in all seven conference losses. Martin has been switching starting lineups trying to get something going in recent games. The team’s top scorer and rebounder, LaFleur, has been hampered by an Achilles heel injury and has seen limited action in the last four games. Illinois-Chicago is coming off a 62-51 loss at home to Green Bay and the Flames have lost three of their last four winning only at home against Milwaukee. The Flames opened the season with five straight wins, but have gone 5-7 since then.SFlbSeries: The Penguins and Flames will be meeting for the 19th time with UIC holding a slim 10-8 advantage. UIC holds a 9-5 advantage in Horizon League action since the Penguins joined the lead in 2001. YSU has won three of the last four meetings including both games last season, 73-62 in Youngstown and 71-62 in Chicago. The teams split in 2006-07 with YSU winning in Chicago and losing at home.SFlbUp next: The Penguins will remain at home on Saturday when they play host to Loyola at 4:30 p.m. at Beeghly Center.