The Youngstown State Penguins finished the regular season with a record of 22-9. They hosted Cleveland State in the first round of the Horizon League tournament on Thursday, March 7.
The Penguins beat Cleveland State at home 94-69 on Wednesday, November 29, but lost at Cleveland State 73-81 on Saturday, February 17.
Ziggy Reid led the team this season, averaging 14.7 points per game. Brandon also led the team in most threes made this season with 72.
Coach Calhoun thinks rest is the key in tournament play.
“Not playing Saturday, that’s for eight days off, was certainly different, so we gave him two days off,” says Calhoun.
DJ Burns led the team all season with 335 rebounds. He was ranked in all of college basketball with the most triple doubles in a season, with 16 triple doubles.
Team building outside of the gym is key for players to respect and come closer to each other.
“We’ll do a team dinner, a team activity and then you know hopefully this place is sold out Thursday night,” says Calhoun.
The Penguins averaged 81.5 points per game this season, while they let their opponents average 70.5 points a game.
YSU has players who have been to the big tournament before, and they would have liked to get back there.
“We’ve got multiple guys on our roster that have played in the NCAA tournament. You know with DJ Burns winning a game in the NCAA tournament same with Bryce Langdon and Emanuel being part of Northern Kentucky,” says Calhoun.
