Defense remains work in progress for YSU men

By STEVE WILAJ

swilaj@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

When asked about Youngstown State’s defense, which — through 12 Horizon League games — sits either near or at the bottom of all conference defensive statistics, Penguins head coach Jerry Slocum responded the only way he could (or better yet, should).

“That’s a concern,” he said at Monday’s news conference.

It’s a concern that Slocum and YSU (9-16, 4-8) continue to try to figure out.

Out of the Penguins’ 12 Horizon League games so far, they have allowed 80-plus points 10 times and 90-plus points seven times.

After appearing to improve in consecutive games in late January — they held Cleveland State to 55 points on Jan. 24 and UIC to 78 points on Jan. 28 (both wins) — YSU has allowed more than 90 points in its past three games (all losses).

“I’ve often said that younger teams struggle more to play at the defensive end than what they do at the offensive end,” Slocum said. “That’s why I’m excited with having a week in between games — to get back into some basics, get back into some good fundamentals.”

On Saturday, the Penguins have a chance to boost their defensive numbers when Cleveland State (7-18, 2-10) — which YSU had its best defensive-performance of the conference-season against — visits Beeghly Center for a 7:05 p.m. game. YSU held the Vikings to just 35-percent shooting in that game two weeks ago at Quicken Loans Arena — a number much lower than what the Penguins usually post.

For the season, YSU is allowing its opponents to shoot 46.9 percent, which ranks last in the conference. Also for the entire campaign, the Penguins are giving up 82.2 points per game — ninth out of 10 Horizon League teams.

In conference games only, it gets worse, as YSU is surrendering a league-worst 88.3 points per game. This is all while the Penguins are averaging 75.6 points for the season and 77.2 points in conference play.

“Some games I think we play really good on defense and we hold teams to lower points,” junior guard Brett Frantz said. “But I don’t know. I know we can score a lot of points, but we shouldn’t have to outscore teams every time.

“We just have to play a little bit better [defense] and get the numbers down.”

Granted, YSU’s defense took a hit when it lost senior 6-foot-10 forwrad Bobby Hain in the final non-conference game (broken foot). Also, starting forward Sidney Umude has been out with a knee injury for the past six games (his status is day-to-day, although he doesn’t appear ready to return this weekend).

Still, there’s no doubt it’s YSU’s biggest concern.

“I thought we played pretty good [in Saturday’s 94-92 loss to Detroit], but then we were horrific with little things like not getting back on defense, a simple box out, foul shots,” Slocum said. “But you just keep on plugging forward.”