The Youngstown State Penguins (10-17) travel to Green Bay to take on the Phoenix (16-11) in a game that has the potential to be fast-paced. Action begins at 2:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 20 and can be seen on EFC and ES3.
The Phoenix edged Milwaukee 70-68 the last time they played. Charles Cooper was the game’s leading scorer with 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting. The Penguins, meanwhile, are coming off a 92-91 win against UIC in their last outing. Jorden Kaufman claimed his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 18 rebounds.
There could be a fair amount of transition offense in a game that features two of the nation’s more up-tempo teams. Green Bay is ranked third in possessions per game (78.7), while Youngstown State is eighth (75.3). Also, the Penguins commit the 34th-fewest errors in the nation (TO% of 15.9%), while the disruptive defense of the Phoenix causes the 30th-most (opponents’ TO% of 21.7%).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Penguins winning the first matchup 103-93. Cameron Morse was a standout player in the game, producing 44 points, three rebounds, one assist, two steals, and three three-pointers.
The Phoenix come into this game 16-11 Straight Up (SU) and 14-10-1 Against The Spread (ATS). In their last 10 games, they are 3-7 ATS. The Phoenix have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire nation, averaging 85.1 points per game. The Phoenix are an impressive shooting team from the line with 18.0 free throws made per game, one of the highest marks in Division I. Turning to the defensive side, the Phoenix are the fourth-best team in the country at taking the ball away from their opponents, averaging 9.8 steals per game.
In the other locker room, the Penguins have 10-17 SU and 11-12 ATS records. Youngstown State has been playing better lately, averaging 86.7 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 75.6.
In their previous meeting this season, Youngstown State beat Green Bay, but the win was not enough to overtake Green Bay in their recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 3-7 SU over the most recent meetings. The teams have an even record ATS, 5-5. Neither team held the edge in field goals, rebounds, or three-pointers in a single game during this span.
Predictions: SU Winner – GB, ATS Winner – GB
Notes
“Wisc-Green Bay is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games “.
“Wisc-Green Bay is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home”.
“Wisc-Green Bay is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Youngstown State”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Wisc-Green Bay’s last 12 games when playing Youngstown State”.
“Wisc-Green Bay is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Youngstown State”.
“Wisc-Green Bay is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Youngstown State”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Youngstown State’s last 12 games when playing Wisc-Green Bay”.
“Youngstown State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Wisc-Green Bay”.
Green Bay is one of the top-scoring teams, averaging 85.1 points per game (ranked third). Youngstown State, on the other hand, allows 82.7 points per game (ranked 250th).
Youngstown State scores 73.4 points per away game (ranked 81st). Green Bay ranks a poor 239th in points allowed at home, allowing 77.8 points.
On average, Green Bay has 78.7 possessions per game and scores 1.082 points on each possession. Youngstown State has both fewer possessions (75.3) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.005).
Green Bay has an average effective field goal percentage of 50.3%. Youngstown State is an underachieving 2-14 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Green Bay Phoenix attempt 19.0 three point field goals per game and the Youngstown State Penguins attempt 22.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Green Bay has a 7-8 record and Youngstown State has an 8-11 record.
Green Bay, the 60th-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.6 per game. Youngstown State does worse, ranked 296th with 2.4.
Green Bay ranks 54th in offensive rebounding. Youngstown State ranks 198th in defensive rebounding.
Youngstown State has forced an average turnover percentage of 17.9% this season. Green Bay is an even 5-5 when its TO% is 17.9% or higher.
