Gameday Central – Youngstown State DETROIT (2/5/2016) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team will look for a road sweep in Ohio as the Titans visit Youngstown State on Saturday in a pivotal game in the Horizon League.
Game time is set for 7:05 p.m., at the Beeghly Center and is part of a Titan doubleheader with the women's team facing the Penguins at 4:30. Both games will be televised by ESPN3 and the men's game will feature an online audio feed at 97.1 with the Voice of the Titans
Dan Leach calling all the action.
Detroit is 11-11 on the season and 5-6 in the Horizon League, just a game out of fourth place as the #MotorCityMadness HL men's basketball championship is less than a month away.
The Titans have won two in a row and have used some defense to get it done holding teams to just 65.5 points in beating Wright State, 75-68, and Cleveland State, 71-63. Detroit has also found its touch from three as senior
Anton Wilson hit five 3-pointers and had a team-high 18 points against the Raiders, while junior
Chris Jenkins recorded a career-high six treys and led Detroit with 20 points at CSU.
The red, white and blue will return to the Motor City after the contest for its final two home games of the season starting with Green Bay on Thursday, Feb. 11, for a 7:00 p.m., tip.
DETROIT VS. YOUNGSTOWN STATEDetroit has dominated the all-time series with a 31-9 advantage, which includes winning all three meetings last year and nine of the last 10.
The Titans are 11-6 in the Beeghly Center, including six of the last seven meetings in Youngstown.
ABOUT THE PENGUINSAfter picking up a couple of Horizon League road victories, Youngstown State has now dropped two straight and comes into the game at 9-15, 4-7 in league play. YSU lost to Oakland, 107-85, on Thursday and fell, 97-68, at Valparaiso before that.
Cameron Morse leads the team and is second in the Horizon League in scoring at 19.4 points per game. Matt Donlan is one of the top three-point shooters in the conference nailing 67 of them and is averaging 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds, while Francisco Santiago is tallying 8.1 points and 4.1 assists.
YSU is sixth in the HL in scoring at 75.0 points, but is ninth in defense yielding 82.7.
LOOKING AHEADDetroit will play its final two regular season games at home next week starting with Green Bay on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Senior Day is up next as UDM hosts Milwaukee on Saturday in a 3 p.m. tip.
#MOTORCITYMADNESSThe Horizon League Men's Basketball Tournament #MotorCityMadness will take place just 9.2 miles away from campus.
The first two years of the five-year agreement with Olympia Entertainment will be played at Joe Louis Arena, home to the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings, before moving to the state-of-the-art Detroit Events Center, currently under construction in downtown Detroit.
For tickets, visit motorcitymadness.horizonleague.org, Ticketmaster or call 313-471-7575.
Remember to mention Detroit to sit in the Titan fan section.
BEATING OHIODetroit has really taken care of Ohio schools this season sporting a 7-1 record with its lone loss at Wright State, 77-76, a game it led by 14 points.
HL SCHEDULE PUZZLEThe Horizon League schedule has been interesting for the Titans this season.
Detroit played its first five league games at home and seven of its 10 contests in January on Dick Vitale Court.
All that time at home means February will be a heavy travel month with six of eight on the road, including the Titans last four games and the final two at Valparaiso and Oakland, the top two teams in the HL preseason poll.
QUITE A COMEBACKThe Titans were down by 11, 24-13, to Wright State last Sunday, but were able to mount a comeback for the victory.
The 11-point comeback was the largest by the Titans since they were down 13 at UIC last year (48-35) and came back to win 68-68.
SO CLOSEDetroit has suffered seven of its 11 losses by single digits, including five by five points or less and two games by one possession.
In Horizon League play, UDM has dropped a one-point game at Wright State (77-76), a three-point setback at Milwaukee (83-80), a home contest against Oakland (86-82) and an overtime decision at Green Bay (115-108).
BACK-TO-BACK ROAD WINSThe Titans will look for their first back-to-back road conference wins since the 2013-13 season.
GETTING DEFENSIVEAfter surrendering 84.7 points in the first 20 games of the season, Detroit is giving up just 65.5 points in the last two, including a season-low 63 at Cleveland State.
The defense started its run in the 75-68 win over Wright State, while the 63 points it let up against the Vikings is the fewest the Titans have allowed since defeating Valparaiso 63-60 last season.
Detroit also has 11 games on the year with seven or more steals, 10 with five or more blocks and seven games in which the opponent has turned it over 15 or more times.
UDM is second in the Horizon League with 13.95 forced turnovers per game.
WHAT A GAMEThe last time Detroit and Youngstown State played, senior
Anton Wilson went off for 34 points on 10-of-18 shooting with three triples and a perfect 11-for-11 effort at the free-throw line.
STRONG AT HOMEDetroit is 10-3 on Dick Vitale Court this year and winners of 13 of its last 16 home games.
On the year, Detroit is averaging 87.4 points at home and allowing 78.6, all while shooting 48.4 percent from the field.
On the road, Detroit is 1-8 this season and 2-14 in its last 16 away from Calihan Hall.
The lone wins in that span have been in the state of Ohio as UDM defeated Cleveland State its last time out, 71-63, and also won at Youngstown State, 83-70, late last season.
On the road this season, Detroit is averaging 78.6 points (allowing 90.4).
POINTS, POINTS, POINTSThe Titans are 12th in the nation - and third in the HL - in scoring averaging 83.8 points per game. UDM trails only Oakland (87.0) and Green Bay (86.5).
The 84.4 points is the best offensive numbers since averaging 92.6 points during the 1977-78 season under coach Dick Vitale.
The Titans have also scored 90 or more points six times, the most since scoring 90 or more seven times in the 1987-88 campaign.
OFFENSIVE ATTACKDetroit has scored at least 75 points in 17 of its 22 games, including 88 or more eight times and 90 or more on six occasions.
UDM has also made at least 30 field goals eight times and has posted 39 twice.
The Titans are second in the HL in shooting at 46.3 percent, just a hair behind Milwaukee's 46.5. They have also posted 50% or higher five times, and 47% or higher 12 times.
Detroit is coming off a game in which it shot 49.0 percent (24-of-49) at Cleveland State, including 52.0% in the second half. In the win over Wright State, Detroit shot 47.3% overall and 60.0 % in the second half (12-of-20).
Against Oakland, UDM was at 52.4 percent (33-of-63) - including 58.1 percent (18-of-31) in the second half - while at Wright State, Detroit shot 50.0 % (25-of-50). At Milwaukee, UDM tallied 47.2 % (25-of-53), but 54.2 percent in the second half and at Green Bay, the Titans were 48.7% (38-of-78), including 50% (25-of-50) in the second half and overtime.
GETTING TO THE LINEThe Titans are attacking the rim and getting a chance to score some easy points.
Detroit has visited the free throw line 350 times in HL play, connecting on 246 (70.7%).
In the win over Wright State, Detroit was 28-of-37 at the line (75.7%), while WSU was just 7-of-10.
Detroit was also 31-of-39 (79.5%) at the line in the win over UIC, setting a season high in made free throws. That was after going 25-of-29 (86.2%) in the win over Youngstown State and 28-of-42 (66.7%) in the triumph over Cleveland State.
The 42 free throws were the most since attempting 43 against Stony Brook in 2013.
THE EXTRA PASSThe Titans totaled 18 assists in their win over Youngstown State on Jan. 2, tied for the second most on the season with the 18 against Central State and behind the 22 versus UM-Dearborn.
UDM is 7-2 on the season when it records more assists than its opponent.
BLOCK PARTYThe Titans have recorded four or more blocks 17 times this year, and they are second in the Horizon League and 62nd in the nation with 4.5 blocks per game.
That is all without a single athlete on the roster taller than 6-8.
BOMBS AWAYDetroit was 15-of-27 from three against UM-Dearborn on Nov. 23, the most since knocking down 15 against DePaul in 2007.
UDM has tallied double-digit triples eight times this season after accomplishing it just three times all of last year. UDM tallied double-digit treys in HL play for the first time this season hitting 10-of-21 at Cleveland State.
Detroit is 21st in the nation - and second in the HL - in three-point field-goal percentage (39.0%) and 50th in three-point field goals per game (8.6), third in the HL.
CLEANING THE GLASSDetroit totaled a season-high 53 rebounds in the win over Youngstown State, outrebounding the Penguins by 33 (53-20).
The 53 boards were the most since grabbing 55 against Niagara in a 96-77 win in 2010.
It was the third time this season Detroit has recorded 45 or more boards as it had 52 against Central State and 45 at Oral Roberts.
UDM has also outrebounded its last two opponents winning the boards against Wright State (31-21) and at Cleveland State (39-27).
The Titans are 9-2 on the season when outrebounding their counterpart.
WHO WILL SCORE?Detroit has had six different Titans lead the team in scoring this season.
UDM has also had seven different players net 20 or more in a contest and four or more players in double figures 15 times.
GLASS MANSophomore
Paris Bass collected a career-high 17 rebounds at Cleveland State, which was just 10 less then what the entire CSU team recorded.
His 17 rebounds are the most by a Titan since Feb. 14, 2010, when Eli Holman had 18 vs. Milwaukee.
#1 SHOOTING 3'SSharpshooting senior
Anton Wilson continues to make his name show up in the Titan record books.
He shot 41.8 percent from behind the arc last season, a number that ranks sixth in school history as he was 56-of-134 from long distance.
This season, he is hitting the three at 45.5 percent (65-of-143), which is second in school history behind the 48.1 percent by Archie Tullos in 1987 as well as 30th in the country.
His 65, 3-pointers on the season is a new career high surpassing the 56 he had last year, and is the third-straight season he has made 50 treys in a season.
With his four triples in the season opener, he passed Titan legend and 12-year NBA veteran Willie Green and is now fifth in school history with 184 career 3-pointers.
He is also currently second in UDM history with a 41.7 three-point field goal percentage.
Titan Career 3-Point Field Goal Leaders1. Rashad Phillips, 1998-01 - 348
2. Desmond Ferguson, 1998-00 - 235
3. Dwayne Kelley, 1990-93 - 224
4. Jon Goode, 2005-08 - 202
5.
Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - 184
Titan Career 3-Point Field Goal Percentage Leaders1. Archie Tullos, 1985-88 - .433
2.
Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - .417
3. Bill Wood, 1987-90 - .415
TRIPLE 3 SPECIALITYAnton Wilson started the season with back-to-back games hitting four 3-pointers, and he added another game with four treys at #16/13 Vanderbilt. He also hit a season-high five treys vs. Bowling Green and his last time out against Wright State, one off his career best.
Wilson has now made a triple in all 22 games this season.
He also has 17 career game with four or more treys, 84 career games with at least two 3-pointers and 31 games knocking down at least three treys.
JAROD'S OFFENSE Junior
Jarod Williams has found his offense as of late, scoring in double figures in four of the last five game, and tying his season high with 12 points in back-to-back games at Milwaukee and Green Bay. He also had 12 at Vanderbilt back in December.
He had 12 points at Milwaukee (4-8 FG, 3-4 FT) and Green Bay (4-6 FG, 4-8 FT), 10 against NKU (3-4 FG, 2-3 3FG) and 11 versus Wright State (2-4 FG, 7-8 FT).
BACK-TO-BACK 20'SJunior
Chris Jenkins tallied back-to-back 20-point games for the first time in his career as he registered a team-high 20 at Milwaukee and a team-best 25 at Green Bay.
With his 20 points at Cleveland State his last time out, he now has six career 20-point games - five this year.
His career high in points is 26 against UCF earlier this season.
In the last five games, he is tallying 15.4 points on 22-of-46 (47.8%) from the field, 15-of-30 (50.0%) from three and 18-of-25 (72.2%) at the line with 4.8 rebounds.
LONG RANGE CJJunior
Chris Jenkins set a career high with six 3-pointers at Cleveland State going 6-of-8 from distance.
ONE BIG FISHSophomore
Paris Bass - who missed the first seven games due to a suspension for violation of team rules - has been a force on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
He just posted a career-high 17 rebounds at Cleveland State. He also tied his career high for the third time with 28 points at Wright State, which included six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.
That came after he posted 20 points, eight rebounds, a career-high six assists, three blocks and a steal against Oakland and 23 points, eight rebounds, three assists and six blocks at Green Bay.
WHAT A SENIOR YEARSenior
Anton Wilson has 19 double-digit scoring games with three 20-point efforts.
He is second on the team in scoring at 14.9 ppg., - sixth in the HL. His 65 treys lead UDM and his 3.0 three-point field goals per game is second in the HL and 33rd in the nation.
LURKING IN THE WATERSophomore
Paris Bass returned to action in a big way against Bowling Green as the reigning HL Freshman of the Year posted a team-high 25 points, while tallying eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. In his second game, he tallied 23 points in a win over UCF.
Since he returned to the court, he has recorded double figures in 11 of his 15 contests, pulled down seven rebounds in 10 games and has had three assists or more eight times, not to mention six 20-point outings and two double-doubles.
He is averaging 16.7 ppg., 7.3 rpg., and 2.5 apg., and would rank sixth in the HL in scoring and rebounding and 13th in assists if he had enough games to qualify.
DOUBLE-UP CHRISJunior
Chris Jenkins has scored in double figures 13 times already, which includes four 20-point games, a career high in points and three double-doubles.
He netted his career-high 26 points with 10 rebounds and three steals in the win over UCF and had a great week in Wisconsin with 20 points at Milwaukee and 25 at Green Bay, team highs in both games.
He has also tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds against Toledo - where he also has a career-best four blocks.
He has twice tied his career high with four steals in a game and at Oral Roberts, Jenkins had 16 points and a career-tying 13 rebounds.
On the year, the do-it-all Titan has:
- 13 games in double figures
- 17 games with five or more rebounds
- 9 games with two or more assists
- 5 games with two or more steals.
He is currently third on the team and 13th in the HL in scoring (13.1), while standing second on the team and tied for 11th in the league in field-goal percentage (48.9%).
He is also among the team leaders and the top 15 in the Horizon League in:
Free throw percentage (80.6%) - 6th
3-Point Field Goal Percentage (44.7%) - 7th
Rebounding (6.1) - 9th
Steals (1.1) - T12tth
JA-LETHALSophomore
Jaleel Hogan has been in double figures 12 times on the year, including the last three games. He had 10 points at Cleveland State, 13 points in the win over Wright State and led the team with 17 and seven rebounds against Northern Kentucky.
Back on Jan. 16, he tallied a career-high 20 points with eight rebounds against Oakland.
Hogan had his first career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds against Bowling Green.
He is fourth on the team with 4.0 rebounds and fourth netting 10.0 points per game, all while shooting 57.7 percent, second in the HL.
PAINT MANWith his strength, sophomore
Jaleel Hogan is uncanny in the paint showcased by his career 59.4 (152-of-256) field-goal percentage.
He had 10 points at Cleveland State on 5-of-6 from the field, the sixth time this season he has missed just one shot or has been perfect.
He was 7-of-7 against Youngstown State, 7-of-8 shooting against NKU, 5-of-6 at Wright State, 5-of-6 versus Northeastern and 4-of-5 at Western Kentucky.
On the year, he is second in the HL in field-goal percentage at 57.7 percent.
Last season, he ended the year with a blistering 62.0 field goal percentage (62-of-100), which would rank third in school history for a single season, but was 25 shot attempts shy from qualifying for that mark.
EASY POINTSSenior
Anton Wilson is a career 84.7 percent shooter at the free throw line connecting on 127-of-150 career attempts.
He does not have enough free throw attempts to qualify for the school record book, or his career percentage would rank fourth.
He is also 60-of-69 (87.0%) this season - second in the HL - at the free-throw line, the most makes and attempts he has ever had at the charity stripe in his career.
HIGH-SCORING ROOKIEFreshman
Josh McFolley has scored in double figures 10 times this year, including back-to-back contests with 15 points against Northern Kentucky and 12 versus Wright State. He also pulled down a season-best four boards in each of the last three games and had a season-best four steals at Cleveland State.
McFolley scored a season-high 20-points in a victory over Northeastern, 19 at Eastern Michigan and 16 in the win versus Toledo.
He handed out a season-high six assists in the win over Cleveland State.
He is currently fifth on the team with 9.5 ppg. - third among HL rookies.
He leads all HL freshmen in three-point field goals per game (1.8) - 13th in the HL - and is second among rookies in three-point field goal percentage (37.8%).
CB'S FINAL STANDCarlton Brundidge has had a career year so far in his final season of eligibility.
He is currently third on the team with 2.3 assists and is sixth on the team in scoring (8.5) and sixth in rebounding (3.2). He also leads the team with a 1.9 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Brundidge just had 12 points and five assists at Cleveland State. He also recorded 11 points against Northern Kentucky and that was after tallying 15 points, six rebounds and three assists at Green Bay.
He had 11 points, four boards, two assists and two steals against Cleveland State and 15 points, three caroms and three helpers vs. UIC.
Earlier in the year, he posted a career-best 23 points at Oral Roberts - 17 in the second half - where he was a career-high 10-of-19 from the field with five boards and two assists.
He also had 12 points at Pittsburgh, and against UM-Dearborn, he scored 10 points and handed out a career-high nine helpers.
