2008 Woodie Awards
Solid start could get even better
Aaron Blatch, Sports Reporter
Issue date: 11/27/07 Section: Sports
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After a hard-fought game with Notre Dame, the 2-2 Youngstown State men's basketball team will hit the road again on Wednesday when it takes on a struggling St. Francis team.
With four games in the books, the Youngstown State men's basketball team has a lot to be pleased about. With a 2-2 record the Penguins have been as good as they could have realistically hoped for, with their only losses coming to perennial powerhouses UCLA and Notre Dame.
The loss to the Irish was the first contest of a three-game road trip that the Penguins will wrap up this week. With two struggling teams left on the schedule - St. Francis, Pa., and Eastern Kentucky — the team has a great opportunity to return home to the Beeghly Center with a winning record.
Early season optimism is largely a result of a balanced, hot-shooting offense that has four Penguin starters averaging over 11 points a game. The team is shooting 46.9 percent from the field, including an outstanding 45.1 percentage from 3-point range. These numbers are even more impressive considering last year's statistics: The team had only two players average double-figures in points, shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three.
Through three games the Penguin offense had trouble keeping possession of the ball, but they did a much better job in their 87-75 loss to Notre Dame. The team only had 12 turnovers against the Irish while forcing 17 miscues. These statistics show the progression of a team working multiple freshmen into its rotation, particularly Vance Cooksey at point guard.
While the team's offensive production has been fun to watch, senior forward Dwight Holmes said the key to having a successful road trip is playing with the toughness instilled by head coach Jerry Slocum.
"Our biggest strength right now is working hard every day," Holmes said. "Effort and toughness have been trademarks of the basketball program here."
Holmes also said the team's mental toughness will be tested in this early road trip. Last season the Penguins struggled to a 4-13 record away from home. Holmes attributes this to "not having as much determination on the road as we had at home."
With four games in the books, the Youngstown State men's basketball team has a lot to be pleased about. With a 2-2 record the Penguins have been as good as they could have realistically hoped for, with their only losses coming to perennial powerhouses UCLA and Notre Dame.
The loss to the Irish was the first contest of a three-game road trip that the Penguins will wrap up this week. With two struggling teams left on the schedule - St. Francis, Pa., and Eastern Kentucky — the team has a great opportunity to return home to the Beeghly Center with a winning record.
Early season optimism is largely a result of a balanced, hot-shooting offense that has four Penguin starters averaging over 11 points a game. The team is shooting 46.9 percent from the field, including an outstanding 45.1 percentage from 3-point range. These numbers are even more impressive considering last year's statistics: The team had only two players average double-figures in points, shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three.
Through three games the Penguin offense had trouble keeping possession of the ball, but they did a much better job in their 87-75 loss to Notre Dame. The team only had 12 turnovers against the Irish while forcing 17 miscues. These statistics show the progression of a team working multiple freshmen into its rotation, particularly Vance Cooksey at point guard.
While the team's offensive production has been fun to watch, senior forward Dwight Holmes said the key to having a successful road trip is playing with the toughness instilled by head coach Jerry Slocum.
"Our biggest strength right now is working hard every day," Holmes said. "Effort and toughness have been trademarks of the basketball program here."
Holmes also said the team's mental toughness will be tested in this early road trip. Last season the Penguins struggled to a 4-13 record away from home. Holmes attributes this to "not having as much determination on the road as we had at home."
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