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Effort in and out at YSU
Inconsistency plagues men’s team in rough year
By Charles gRove
Youngstown
The overwhelming theme in the Youngstown State men’s basketball team’s weekly press conference was effort — something the Penguin coaches and players felt they didn’t give nearly enough of last time out against Detroit Mercy.
When asked what needs to change defensively for his team, “effort” was the only word YSU head coach Jerry Slocum said on the subject.
When it’s not the effort that’s plaguing the Penguins, inconsistency is.
“One of the Achilles to this year and this group has been our inconsistency,” Slocum said. “This is a group that can win two games against two of the top two teams in our league (Green Bay and Wright State) and then a team like Detroit comes in and to not have that effort has been disappointing.”
The home loss to Detroit Mercy, who was in last place in the league prior to the game, now has the Penguins (10-15, 4-8 Horizon League) sitting in a three-way tie for next-to-last place in the conference. Cleveland State sits one game back from that group in the Horizon League’s basement.
“We got punched out early in the second half and we just couldn’t get up,” junior guard Francisco Santiago said.
“That’s just coming out flat with no energy. We’ve got to find a way to get over that.”
It’s not just games that have been here and there for the Penguins, Slocum said practices haven’t been up to his standard either.
“We mentioned to our staff today an issue back from November where we’ve had inconsistent practices,” Slocum said.
“We’ll have two good days, two bad, one good, two bad. It’s been an issue all year long.”
Santiago said the team often comes out lethargic certain nights, especially when it appears the team is finally starting to string together a winning steak.
“We’ll put all our effort into one game, then the next game we’re not as focused, as energetic, as excited to play the game. That’s when the losses start coming,” Santiago said. “There’s games where everyone is right there with you and everything’s great, we’re giving it our all and we look like a very good team. Then there’s games where you’re shaking your head and you really don’t have no answers.”
The next four games aren’t cupcakes either. The Penguins go to UIC on Thursday before playing at league-leading Valparaiso on Saturday.
After that, YSU comes home to play Wright State and Northern Kentucky.
Getting revenge on UIC (12-12, 5-6), who beat YSU at home 92-89 in overtime on Jan. 14 would have a special significance for Santiago.
“I felt like I gave that game away last time,” Santiago said.
“I had five turnovers which led to a lot of baskets and I didn’t play well defensively. I’m going to look to be more aggressive and be better on defense.”