Tipoff Notes
Youngstown State plays its final non-Horizon League game of the season when it visits Mid-American Conference member Central Michigan, Wednesday, Dec. 21. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at McGuirk Arena and the game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.
The Central Michigan Series
This is the first 11th meeting between Youngstown State and Central Michigan in a series that dates back to 1985. The Chippewas own a 7-3 advantage in the all-time series and have won three of the last four contests. Youngstown State won the last meeting, 84-77, on Dec. 8, 2021, at Beeghly Center.
Scouting Central Michigan
Central Michigan enters the game with a 4-7 overall record and has lost its last three straight. The Chippewas are coming off a 70-58 loss to Missouri State on Dec. 18. CMU also lost at home to Horizon League member Robert Morris, 71-66, on Dec. 7. Kevin Miller leads the Chippewas with 18.5 points per game while Brian Taylor and Jesse Zarzuela are averaging 14.5 and 14.1 points per game, respectively. Central Michigan is averaging 69.9 points per game while allowing 70.3 points per contest.
Last Time vs. Central Michigan
Tevin Olison scored 17 of his 21 points in the first half, and the Youngstown State men's basketball team led for more than 36 minutes in an 84-77 victory over Central Michigan on Dec. 8, 2021 at Beeghly Center. Olison was 7-for-8 overall and 3-for-3 from 3-point range in the first half to help the Penguins build a 46-34 halftime lead. Dwayne Cohill scored 10 points in each half to finish with a then-career-best 20. Michael Akuchie chipped in 13 points and grabbed five boards. Olison led the Penguins with six rebounds.
Last Time Out
The Penguins are coming off an exciting 85-81 win over Southern on Dec. 16 at Beeghly Center. Dwayne Cohill scored a game-high 26 points while Malek Green had 16 points, Brandon Rush posted 14 points and Adrian Nelson added his sixth double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Guins Nationally
Youngstown State ranks among the top 30 nationally in three different categories. The Penguins ranked eighth in scoring with 85.8 points per game, 18th with a .771 free-throw percentage, and 29th with a .492 field-goal percentage. Senior Bryce McBride lead the nation with a .976 free-throw percentage while Adrian Nelson is eighth nationally with six double-doubles.
Cohill Named POW
Senior Dwayne Cohill was named the Nike Horizon League Men's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Dec. 19. This is the second weekly award for Cohill this season and the third of his career. He is the first Youngstown State player to win the award at least twice in one season since Cameron Morse in 2017-18. Last week, Cohill averaged 26 points, five rebounds and six assists per game, and shot 61.5 percent from the floor and 60 percent from 3-point range. He also won the award on Dec. 5, 2022, and Dec. 13, 2021.
Up Next
Youngstown State plays its first Horizon League home game of the season when it host Cleveland State, Thursday, Dec. 29. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at Beeghly Center and is part of a YSU basketball doubleheader.
