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Slumping Bethune-Cookman visits YSU
By Joe Catullo Jr.
YOUNGSTOWN
The Youngstown State men’s basketball team stands three games away from Horizon League action. Those games are when the real test begins.
First, YSU (7-5) will face Bethune-Cookman tonight at Beeghly Center. What appears to be a potential lopsided contest on the stat sheet may not necessarily be that way against the Wildcats (2-11).
Coach Jerry Slocum normally says during press conferences that teams’ records don’t reflect their character and ability. The Wildcats are no different.
“You have to look at the fact that they played so many away games,” Slocum said Monday. “We’re not going to look to be anything special to them. They’ve played so many money games, and that’s part of their demand.”
The Wildcats have played nine road games and lost all of them. They are on a nine-game losing streak and most recently fell at Akron, 84-56, on Saturday.
“This is a team that’s capable,” Slocum said. “They do things that we have a tough time guarding. We have a lot of respect for their plate because of how many road games they have to play.
“We’ll have our hands full.”
Meanwhile, the Penguins lost at Pittsburgh on Saturday, 91-73. Slocum is not one to enjoy moral victories but was pleased about his team not backing down from the challenge.
“I thought our guys gave an effort where we worked hard and did some things that way,” Slocum said. “I was very disappointed that we didn’t guard the ball better.”
The Panthers shot 51.5 percent from the field. They also dominated the rebounding game with 47 compared to YSU’s 21.
Pitt also had one less offensive rebound than the Penguins had total.
Kendrick Perry scored 28 points and tallied four steals on Saturday, moving him up the list among the nation’s best. Before Monday’s games, Perry ranked second with 256 total points and 87 field goals made. He also ranked third with 36 steals and fifth with three steals per game.
“Nothing he’s done has been a surprise to us,” Slocum said. “He’s good every night because he has good skills and is a prideful kid. He has pride in what he does.”
The Penguins head into tonight’s game struggling with one win in their last five games. After Bethune-Cookman, YSU travels to St. John’s on Saturday.
YSU faces South Dakota on Dec. 29 at home then begins conference play shortly after. The Penguins begin a six-game stretch with four road games. They don’t return home after the South Dakota game until Jan. 13.
“We’re in a stretch that I’ve not been very happy with how we’ve played,” Slocum said. “But it’s a long year, and you’re going to have some ups and downs. This game’s a big game for us.”