After Saturday’s 93-87 win over Toledo, the Youngstown State Penguins now boast a four game win streak. After a 2-5 start facing the MTE gauntlet and two power conference matchups, YSU now sits at 6-5 with an unblemished mark in conference play.
The Guins have hung their hat on the defensive side of the ball all year, as opponents only average 69.6 points per game. It’s been the one constant identity for YSU, and has kept them competitive in almost every game this season. The offensive identity, on the other hand, had some questions to be answered. But after the past four wins, YSU’s offense has seemed to find their footing. This column will detail the keys in the Guins’ offense after four straight wins.
Shooting percentages are the first indicator that show the improvements offensively, as YSU shot 50.7% from the field and 35.4% from long range in their last four wins. That mark stands well ahead of their shooting splits in the first seven games. (36.3 FG%, 23.7 3PT%) A couple of rotation adjustments and players stepping into greater offensive roles tell more of the story behind the increase in these marks.
After the first seven games of the season, the offense relied on Nico Galette and EJ Farmer to carry a heavy scoring load, while hoping for enough production from the other starters and bench. Recently, Farmer has found his stride, averaging 16.3 points per game through the past four wins. He flashed his scoring prowess in the games against Syracuse and Monmouth, but the newfound consistency in his shot has been paramount in YSU’s success. With consecutive 20-point scoring outputs against Oakland and Toledo, he’s solidified himself as the go-to guy for the Guins’ offense.
Farmer finding his groove supplements the team so much, as it takes pressure off Nico Galette to be the main scoring fixture every night. Galette has been very steady in his own way, as he’s still second on the team averaging 13.6 points per contest. He plays a critical function on the boards as well, as he leads YSU with 6.9 rebounds per game.
Another big piece in YSU’s recent success has been the emergence of Juwan Maxey. He entered the starting lineup in place of an injured Nelson in the matchup against Stephan F. Austin and has stayed since. He gives the Guins reliable perimeter shooting, leading the team in three-point percentage at 35.2%. Throughout the four-game win streak, he’s averaging 13.3 points per contest, and led the team in scoring against Robert Morris with 16 points off five 3-pointers. His presence forces opposing defenders to stay with him, allowing more space for downhill drives. In turn, Nelson brings facilitating and scoring ability off the bench, as he’s scored in double figures in three of the last four wins.
On the topic of starting lineup adjustments, Cris Carroll has started over Gabe Dynes since the blowout victory against Bethany. The thing to keep in mind is that this move isn’t production based, as Carroll and Dynes have relatively similar splits at this point in time outside of the blocked shot category. Carroll averages 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16.8 minutes per contest, while Dynes averages 6.8 points and 4.7 rebounds over 20.8 minutes per game.
Think of this adjustment as mixing up different play styles to keep defenses on their toes. Carroll in the first five allows YSU to start games with a faster pace, and switch every ball screen on the defensive side. Dynes coming off the bench gives opposing teams a nightmare offensively, as the number-two shot blocker in the nation (3.5 blocks per game) is lurking in the paint to defend any drive.
You’d think starting a 6’6 Carroll over 7’3 Dynes would allow teams to have an advantage in paint points and in rebounds. But the numbers would say otherwise, as YSU has held advantages on the glass and scoring in the painted area during this four game stretch. The Guins have averaged 42.5 points in the paint over their four-game win streak, while opponents are scoring just 28.5. On the boards, YSU has averaged 38 rebounds per game in the four game stretch, and opponents have averaged 29.5. These numbers are certainly inflated by the 128-60 win over DIII Bethany College, but slightly lean in favor of YSU even when you subtract that game from the equation: a 2.7 point advantage for YSU in paint points (34.7 to 32) and a 0.7 advantage for YSU in rebounds (34.3 to 33.6). Before this adjustment to the lineup, opponents held a 33.4 to 28.6 advantage in paint points, and a 42.1 to 34.8 advantage in rebounds per game.
This is simply a trend I’ve picked up on that goes in hand with the adjustments to the starting lineup, not a solution to success for YSU. The fact of the matter is that Faulkner has made an emphasis to win the advantage on the boards and not be beaten by direct drives defensively. It also shows that the offense is playing to their strengths by attacking the rim. There has never been a lack of effort with this team, the only thing that is notably different over this win streak is that all five players on the court are playing more harmoniously in all facets of the game.
With all that being said, YSU has it clicking at the right time after a shaky start to the year. They return to conference play tomorrow night at the Nutter Center for a matchup against Wright State. The Raiders have the third highest scoring in the Horizon League to this point, averaging 77.4 points per game. The duo of Brandon Noel and Alex Huibregtse combine for 36 points a night on efficient shooting splits. Grab your popcorn and head to ESPN+ for the 7 PM tip.
