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Slocum expects big test by Bulls
By Joe Scalzo
YOUNGSTOWN
YSU forward Vytas Sulskis wears many hats — senior leader, versatile playmaker, resident goofball — which is why it wasn’t surprising to see him play a key role in the Penguins’ opening victory over Samford, or say something memorable afterward.
For instance, when asked about playing much of the game in foul trouble, he deadpanned, “Sometimes I can’t control my strength. I’m that strong.”
The quote was part of a running joke this year. Sulskis, whose 215 pounds aren’t exactly overloading his 6-foot-7 frame, likes to brag that he got so tough from playing rugby while growing up in Lithuania. If so, his strength seems to come and go, like when he bragged about it in Monday’s press conference, only to struggle opening a door a few seconds later.
The Penguins need the strong Sulskis tonight when they play Buffalo (1-0), a Mid-American Conference team known for its physical play. Just as Samford didn’t play like a Horizon League team — the Bulldogs played a Princeton offense and a 3-2 matchup zone on defense, two things the Penguins don’t see much — the Bulls are also different.
“They’re your traditional MAC team,” said Slocum. “They’re very, very physical. They hold. They clutch. They try to knock you off your feet.
“We’ve got to be ready for it. It’s not the way the Horizon League plays. It’s not the way the Horizon League officiates.”
The Bulls crushed Navy 88-46 in their opener on Saturday. Zach Filzen scored 18 points to lead four players in double figures for Buffalo, which has won three straight against YSU.
“This is a very physical, talented team and we’re going to have to be as physical back and take care of our backboard in terms of rebounding the basketball,” Slocum said.
YSU went nine deep against Samford, with all nine playing at least 10 minutes and none more than 31. Junior DuShawn Brooks came off the bench to score 20 points and junior Devonte Maymon, the team’s starting shooting guard, added 15 points.
The two are among 10 newcomers on this year’s team, which Sulskis said has better chemistry than last year’s squad.
“Even though [some guys] didn’t play, they cheered,” said Sulskis, who had his third career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. “They never pouted about not playing any minutes. They were just happy the whole team won and it was a team effort.”
YSU made 9 of 33 3-pointers in the opener, including 7 of 16 in the second half. Since the Penguins are short on size and long on talented wing players, expect to see them continue to fire away from long range, particularly against a big team like Buffalo.
“I think our advantage is that we’re faster than them,” Sulskis said of the Bulls. “We’ve just got to shoot the ball well, play defense and rebound and we’ll be fine.”