FCP,
Just posted about the YST game in MCs thread. Would like to hear more input if you have any.
Thanks
Pistol
I have watched YSU play three games, one live and two via live feeds. We travel over to Beeghly 2 or 3 times each season to watch Cleveland St, Butler and sometimes Detroit or Akron. The Pengs have for sure developed some tendencies that I have observed. Here are some things that I believe to be true.
1.As you mentioned, they do seem to only play one half. The Kent State game was a perfect example and so was the NC State game. When I saw them here, they had a decent Akron team on the ropes a couple of times before losing in OT.
2. The team lacks mental toughness. By that I mean they allow too many big runs from their opponents. Rather than fight their way through it and stopping runs they seem to just roll over and play dead. But it's important to note that all of these occasions that I have seen were on the road where the officials and environment were working against them. I don't care who you are, nobody can tell me that their opponents deserved to go to the line nearly 30 more times than YSU as happend in NC.
3. They are a little soft inside and don't get enough whistles going their way. They have been homered badly in a couple of their road losses. NC state and Kent St . Both got to the stripe way more than YSU. Remember, most of this has happened on the road. Rebounding and foul problems are hurting YSU a lot. This situation should improve at home though I think that UIC probably still wins the boards tonight.
4. They are 5-0 at home and Beeghly is somewhat of a tough place to play. I don't know if its the lighting, background or what but I have watched a lot of visitors struggle shooting the ball there.
5. Sulskis is an outstanding player. He defends pretty well and is a very good 3 point shooter. He also rebounds well, a complete player. Sulskis can also play at the 2/3/4 spots to take advantage of matchups. I really lke his game. He can't win a game by himself though. Eargle seems solid and should continue to get better but they need to get more from their backcourt and bench. Usually 9 or 10 guys get significant minutes so bench production is a key to the Pengs improvement.
6. Counting the redshirts, YSU has 12 new players on this years team. Slocum lost his best players after last season and decided to go the JUCO route this season. He had to do it in order to notch a few wins.
I don't care if you are Duke or Bumfuck U there is going to be a learning process and this particular team has demonstrated flashes of playing some very good basketball. They just need to work hard at playing a complete game and I am sure that nobody is more aware of this than Coach Slocum.
7. About UIC,
I have also watched them a couple times and drew some conclusions because both have faced my team. YSU was hands down the better team against the Zips, and that was on Akron's floor. UIC was very sloppy against Akron, if fact both teams were. That game was at UIC and so bad that it was barely unwatchable. I just really don't like the way that they play. I think that Kreps shoots too much and most of their offense goes through him. I'm still amazed by the Illinois score but think that was a fluke and more reflective of how disinterested Illinois was going into this game.
Thats about all I have. I just feel that YSU should continue to improve and is a much better team at home where they should be able to avoid being at the wrong end of all the whistles. I did grab a little of the -2 overnight for the game but have the most faith still in a first half play even the numbers have gone up and the first half play is also -2.
My final card on this game is :
YSU -2 (one unit)
YSU first half -2 (3 units)
Best of luck
