Slocum expects YSU men to improve

October 6, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

Veteran coach likes

team’s size, shooting

AUSTINTOWN

As he heads into his 11th season at the helm of the Youngstown State men’s basketball program, head coach Jerry Slocum feels this year’s team has the ability to surprise some teams on the schedule while making waves in the challenging Horizon League.

After going 2-1 on their recently completed trip to the Bahamas in August, his convictions were only reinforced.

Addressing the Curbstone Coaches during a special Monday night session at Lucianno’s Restaurant, Slocum added that this is the group he expects to get the Penguins back on track and pointed in the right direction.

“We have more size and can shoot the ball better than we have over the past year or so,” he said. “We lost four seniors last year so heading into the season we knew that it was going to be tough and very challenging. I am really encouraged by what I have seen thus far.”

The Penguins began pre-season drills this past Saturday and will open their season at Mid-American Conference foe Kent State in the annual “Coaches vs. Cancer” contest, a designated game rotated between Northeastern Ohio foes YSU, Kent State University, Cleveland State University and the University of Akron.

Also on the schedule are road games at Big Ten foes Michigan and Purdue, and Notre Dame of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

“The ‘Coaches vs. Cancer’ game is always a special game and next year, we are all set to host that game when we open our season against the University of Akron in early November,” Slocum added.

Forward Bobby Hain is one of the players Slocum will be counting on this season.

“Bobby is a top-tier player in our league, someone who can shoot inside and post-up as well. He’s a walking double-double,” he added.

Slocum said despite their youth, the conglomeration of talent that he has assembled is special.

Francisco Santiago and Latin Davis are the team’s point guards while Cameron Morse and Brett Frantz are the off-guards.

Jordan Andrews and Matt Donlan are the forwards while Hain is joined by Bryce Nickels and Devin Haygood at the #4 slot.

The middle is manned by Sidney Umude and Jordan Kaufman with former Ursuline High School star Ryan Strollo and Tyler Warford, both guards, rounding out the squad.

“Our strength is our inside game and we’re counting on both Umude and Kaufman in the middle. Sidney is perhaps the most improved player that I have seen going from his freshmen to sophomore seasons,” Slocum noted. “Sanitago, Frantz and Donlan can flat out shoot and that was one of our weaknesses a season ago. Andrews can shoot and elevate, is extremely athletic and someone I consider a ‘Freshman of the Year’ candidate in our league,’ he added. “Tyler Warford brings a lot to the table as well while Ryan Strollo is someone who can shoot the ball with anyone.”

The Penguins’ fourth annual Basketball Tip-Off Banquet is scheduled for Oct. 25 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Social Hall in Youngstown.

Individual tickets are $35 with a table of eight going for $280.

Fans can sponsor a player for $20 and further information can be obtained by calling 330-941-3712.

Doors open at 4 p.m., a buffet dinner will be scheduled for 4:45 p.m. with the program set to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Next week, YSU women’s basketball coach John Barnes will serve as guest speaker.