GREEN BAY, Wis. – As part of a four-game weekend for the Green Bay basketball programs, the Phoenix men's basketball team will play two games at the Resch Center. GB will welcome Youngstown State on Thursday night before hosting Robert Morris on Saturday evening.
Thursday, January 19 – Green Bay, Wis. - RESCH CENTER
Youngstown State (14-5, 6-2 HL) vs. Green Bay (2-17, 1-7 HL)
7:00 PM | Tickets
Follow the action: Watch (ESPN+) | Listen (WDUZ The Fan) | Live Stats
Saturday, January 21 – Green Bay, Wis. - RESCH CENTER
Robert Morris vs. Green Bay
6:00 PM | Tickets
Follow the action: Watch (ESPN+) | Listen (WDUZ The Fan) | Live Stats
Festival Foods Family Day
Green Bay is 36-16 all-time against the Penguins and 1-1 all-time against the Colonials. At home, GB is 23-3 against YSU and 1-0 all-time against RMU. The Phoenix dropped their last home contest to Youngstown 82-58 on Dec. 4, 2021, and won their only home contest with Robert Morris 70-58 on Dec. 2, 2021.
ABOUT THE PENGUINS
Jerrod Calhoun is in his sixth season at the helm of the Youngstown State squad, amassing a record of 86-91. The Penguins are riding a hot streak coming into their matchup with the Phoenix, winning their last four games. YSU enters Thursday night's game as one of four teams tied at the top of the Horizon League standings at 6-2.
Four players average in double figures for the Penguins, led by Dwayne Cohill, who scores 16.7 points per game on elite-level shooting. Cohill is shooting 56.8-percent from the field, 51.8-percent from three, and 83.8-percent from the free throw line. Adrian Nelson is another key piece for YSU, chipping in 11.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game.
ABOUT THE COLONIALS
Andy Toole continues to guide RMU through its move to the Horizon League, posting a 209-204 record as head coach of the Colonials amid his 13th season. The team won four games in their first Horizon League season, eight in their second, and have equaled that total midway through their third.
Enoch Cheeks is a potent player on both ends of the floor, leading the Colonials in points (17.8 per game) and steals (1.65 per game). Kahliel Spear is also a player to watch for, scoring 14.4 points per game and leading RMU in rebounds (7.7), blocks (1.2), and minutes played (32.4).
LAST MATCHUP
Four players reached double-digits, but it was not enough as the Phoenix fell 74-53 to Northern Kentucky. Randy Tucker nailed four three-point baskets and also added a pair of free throws to pace Green Bay with 14 points. Garren Davis added three triples and a steal. GB brought the game to within a dozen points in the second half, but NKU responded with a strong offense in the closing minutes of the game.
OFFENSIVE ONSLAUGHT
Green Bay's offensive performance against Cleveland State on Jan. 7 was the best of the season to date. A look at the numbers:
· 77 points (season-high)
· 5 players in double figures (season-high)
· 52.1 percent shooting from the floor (season-high)
· 45.8 percent from deep (season-high)
· 24 defensive rebounds (ties season high)
· 18 assists (season-high)
DOMINANT DAVIS
Garren Davis, a guard, has hit his stride for Green Bay. Going into the contest against Youngstown State, Davis scored in double-digits during the last three Phoenix games. He scored 18 against Cleveland State, 12 against Wright State, and 11 against Northern Kentucky.
MAKIN' MEYER
Cade Meyer is an instant spark plug for Green Bay. The second-year big man from Monroe, Wisconsin leads the team in field goals made and field goal percentage (86-of-149, 57.7 percent). Meyer is best at giving Green Bay second chances, racking up a team-leading 21 offensive rebounds.
COUNT ON CUMMINGS
Clarence Cummings III has provided head coach Will Ryan consistency in his first season as a Phoenix. Cummings, an Orlando native, is shooting 46.0 percent from the field and averages 10.0 points per game, good for second on the team. He is also third on the team in rebounds per game (3.4).
WHAT DO YOU ZAE?
Sophomore guard Zae Blake has been a difference-maker in his first season with Green Bay. Despite missing one game, Blake ranks at or near the top of most statistical categories on the team, including:
· 1st in three-point percentage (19-of-41, 46.3-percent)
· 1st in assists (3.2 APG)
· 1st in steals (1.2 SPG)
· 2nd in rebounds (3.6 RPG)
· 2nd in field goal percentage (61-of-121, 50.4-percent)
· 3rd in points (9.9 ppg)
CHARITY STRIPE CHANCES
The Phoenix is near the top of the Horizon League in free throw attempts and makes per game. GB ranks third in the HL with 17.6 attempts per game and makes the fourth most per game at 12.4. Randy Tucker and Nate Jenkins have been a reason for that success, with Tucker shooting 13-of-14 (92.9 percent) and Jenkins knocking down 22 of 27 attempts (81.5-percent). Green Bay shoots 70.7-percent from the line as a team.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
After this weekend, Green Bay will not return home again until a Feb. 9 contest against Oakland at the Kress Center. In the meantime, they will play conference foes Northern Kentucky, Wright State, IUPUI, and Milwaukee.
NEW PHOENIX FACES
Green Bay welcomes 10 new players for the 2022-23 season.
TRANSFERS
Garren Davis (6-4, G | Clarendon College)
Clarence Cummings III (6-5, F | State College of Florida)
Zae Blake (6-1, G | Southwest Mississippi CC)
Brock Heffner (6-8, F | Hawaii)
Davin Zeigler (6-3, G | Indian Hills CC)
Ryan Wade (6-2, G | Central Michigan)
TRUE FRESHMEN
Donavan Short (6-10, C | Denmark, Wis.)
Amari Jedkins (6-7, F | Racine, Wis.)
Jack Rose (6-5, G | Bristol, Wis.)
PRESEASON #HLMBB POLL
Pl. Team (1st-place votes) – Pts.
T1. Purdue Fort Wayne (17) - 394
T1. Northern Kentucky (15) - 394
3. Wright State (3) - 329
4. Oakland (2) - 321
5. Youngstown State (1) - 291
6. Detroit Mercy (2) - 268
7. Cleveland State - 188
8. Robert Morris - 163
9. Milwaukee - 132
10. Green Bay - 111
11. IUPUI - 49
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