Oct. 15, 2008

Men's Basketball Greets Media at Annual Media Day

   The Youngstown State men's basketball Head Coach Jerry Slocum and players met the media for the first time prior to the 2008-09 season at the program's annual media day, Wednesday, on Dom Rosselli court at the Beeghly Center.

    The Penguins, who open the season against Buffalo, Saturday, Nov. 15, at the Beeghly Center, officially begin practice, Saturday, Oct. 18.

• The Penguins play 29 regular-season games for the third consecutive year and just the fourth time in school history.

• The Guins face eight 20-win teams and seven squads that made the postseason in 2007-08.

• YSU opens Horizon League play at home against Valparaiso on Dec. 4 and closes league play at Valparaiso on Feb. 28.

• Head Coach Jerry Slocum will coach his 1,000th career game when the Penguins host Valparaiso on Dec. 4.

• The Penguins play a total of 15 home games this season, six of which are doubleheaders.

• The Guins take on Maryland for the first time in school history. The matchup against the Terrapins is also the Guins’ first game against an ACC foe since facing Georgia Tech on Dec. 29, 1992.

• Youngstown State faces Allegheny for the first time since Dec. 18, 1935.

• The 15 home contests are the most games played at the Beeghly Center since the 2004-05 season.

• The Guins travel to North Carolina for first-ever contests against High Point and Charlotte.

• The busiest month is January when the Guins play 10 times.

• The 18 conference games will tie a school record. This is the second straight season YSU will play 18 conference games. As members of the Mid-Continent Conference, YSU played 18 games three times (1993-94, 1994-95 and 1995-96).

• YSU is again among the pool of teams involved in ESPN’s BracketBuster concept. The Penguins will play at home this season and host Buffalo in a return game from the 2008 Bracket Buster.