Gameday Central - Youngstown State DETROIT (3/4/2016) -- TThe second season is here for college basketball as the University of Detroit Mercy opens the Little Caesars Horizon League men's basketball championship against Youngstown State on Saturday, March 5.
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m., at Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. Fans can watch the action on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN App with Andy Masur and Tim Doyle calling all the action. The Voice of the Titans
Dan Leach will have the call on CBS Sports Radio 1270 AM and live stats will also be available.
Detroit is the sixth seed in the tournament coming into the game at 15-14 overall and 9-9 in the Horizon League. Youngstown State is the seventh seed at 11-20, 6-12 in conference play.
The Titans swept YSU in the regular season defeating the Penguins, 96-87, at home and 94-92 on the road. The Titans shot over 50.0 percent from the field in the two games and had three players average double figures with senior
Anton Wilson leading the way with 26.0 points per game.
A win would move the Titans into the quarterfinals as Detroit would meet the victor of No. 3 Wright State and No. 10 UIC on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
For tickets or more information on the Little Caesars Horizon League men's basketball championship,
click here. Titan fans, make sure to attend one of the two pre-game gatherings in downtown Detroit on Saturday. For more information on those events,
click here. DETROIT VS. YOUNGSTOWN STATEDetroit has dominated the all-time series to the tune of a 32-9 advantage, which includes winning the last six in a row and 10 of the last 11.
The Titans and Penguins have met just once on a neutral floor as UDM defeated YSU, 93-76, in the quarterfinals of the HL Tournament in 2012, held at Valparaiso.
ABOUT THE PENGUINSYoungstown State ended a three-game slide with a 94-75 victory over Northern Kentucky on Saturday and comes into the postseason at 11-20 overall, 6-12 in the Horizon League.
Cameron Morse - a HL Second Team selection - was second in the league in scoring at 20.1 ppg., but lead the conference in league play tallying 23.3 points per contest.
Matt Donlan is one of the top three-point shooters in the conference nailing 81 of them and is averaging 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, while Francisco Santiago is tallying 8.8 points and 4.4 assists.
YSU is fifth in the HL in scoring at 76.1 points, but is 10th in defense yielding 83.5.
#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.
HL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORYThe Titans are 33-32 all-time in the Horizon League Championship with eight trips to the title game and semifinals.
UDM made the championship game in 1988, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005 and 2012, taking home the trophy in 1994, 1999 and 2012. The latter two saw Detroit earn a trip to the NCAA Tournament as the league did not have an automatic bid in 1994.
THE TITANS AS #6 SEEDThe Titans are the No. 6 seed for just the fourth time in its history, but one of those years was a run to the finals as the sixth-seeded Detroit squad made it to the title game with a pair of wins before falling to top-seeded Xavier, 122-96.
Detroit was also the No. 6 seed in 1983 winning its quarterfinals contest before falling in the semifinals as well as in 1992, falling in the first round.
THE HL HISTORY OF #6 SEEDThe No. 6 seed has not been too kind to teams in the tournament, but it has advanced to the title game twice.
Besides Detroit's run to the championship game in 1988, UIC actually won the conference as a No. 6 seed in 2002, downing fifth-seeded Loyola, 76-75, in overtime.
In fact, teams seeded fifth or lower have made the title game just six times in the tournament's 37 years with Milwaukee the last to do it capturing the hardware as a No. 5 seed in 2014.
SO CLOSEDetroit has suffered eight of its 14 losses by single digits, including six by five points or less and three games by one possession.
In Horizon League play, UDM has dropped a one-point game at Wright State (77-76) and against Green Bay (86-85), a three-point setback at Milwaukee (83-80), a home contest against Oakland (86-82) and an overtime decision at Green Bay (115-108).
POINTS, POINTS, POINTSThe Titans are eighth in the nation - and third in the HL - in scoring at 83.8 points, behind only Oakland (87.3) and Green Bay (85.0).
The 83.8 points are 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 eight times, the most since scoring 90 or more eight times in the 1978-79 campaign.
OFFENSIVE ATTACKDetroit has scored at least 75 points in 22 of its 29 games, including 88 or more 10 times and 90 or more on eight occasions.
UDM has also made at least 30 field goals 12 times and a season-high 39 in three games.
The Titans lead the HL in shooting at 46.5 percent. They have also posted 50% or higher eight times, and 47% or higher 15 times.
Detroit even shot 52.1% (25-of-48) at Valparaiso on Feb. 21, one of the best defensive teams in the nation.
Detroit hit eight of its first 11 shots and finished shooting 53.1% (34-of-64) in the win over Milwaukee in its home finale and also had an explosive game on offense as it scored 94 points and shot 53.8% (35-of-65) from the field at Youngstown State. In the home win over Wright State - good defensive team in the HL - Detroit shot 47.3% overall and 60.0% in the second half (12-of-20).
In the first meeting against Oakland, UDM was at 52.4% (33-of-63) - including 58.1% (18-of-31) in the second half, while its last time out at Oakland, UDM tallied 52.3% (23-of-44) in the second half scoring 61 points in the stanza.
DOWN LOW POWERDetroit has been getting it done in the post outscoring opponents in the paint 15 times this season, including in six of the last eight contests.
UDM outscored Milwaukee, 46-18, and at NKU, 36-22, in two of its last four wins, while the Titans posted 52 points in the paint at Oakland their last time out.
The 52 points in the paint are the third-highest amount on the season for Detroit behind the 58 at Green Bay and 55 at Oral Roberts.
GETTING TO THE LINEThe Titans are attacking the rim and getting a chance to score some easy points.
Detroit visited the free throw line 512 times in HL play, connecting on 353 (68.9%), leading the Horizon League in attempts and standing second in makes in league-only games.
In the win over Wright State on Jan. 31, Detroit was 28-of-37 (75.7%).
Detroit was also 31-of-39 (79.5%) at the line in the win over UIC on Feb. 19, setting a season high in made free throws.
The Titans were also 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.
CLEANING THE GLASSDetroit totaled a season-high 53 rebounds in the win over Youngstown State on Jan. 2, 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.
Detroit has recorded 45 or more boards four times with 46 against Green Bay, 52 against Central State and 45 at Oral Roberts.
UDM has also outrebounded opponents in its last six wins coming against Wright State (31-21), at Cleveland State (39-27), at Youngstown State (33-31), against Milwaukee (41-35), at NKU (42-32) and at UIC (43-41).
The Titans are 13-3 on the season when outrebounding their counterpart.
DEFENSIVE NODSThe Titans have held four of their last nine opponents to under 70 points, including a season-low 63 points at Cleveland State, 68 to Wright State and at Northern Kentucky, and 66 against a high-scoring Milwaukee team.
Detroit also has 16 games on the year with seven or more steals, 12 with five or more blocks and seven games in which the opponent has turned it over 15 or more times.
HORIZON LEAGUE HONORSSophomore
Paris Bass was named First Team All-Horizon League and rookie
Josh McFolley earned All-Freshman status as the 2016 All-HL accolades were released on March 1.
Bass has been nearly unstoppable in Horizon League play and for the entire season. Overall, he is averaging 18.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game, ranking fourth in the league in scoring and blocks, fifth in rebounding and sixth in steals.
McFolley has been one of the top scoring freshmen right from the start and has netted double figures in scoring 12 times in his first collegiate campaign.
He is currently sixth on the Titans with 8.6 points per game - fourth among HL rookies - and is third among all HL freshmen in three-point field goals per game (1.5) and three-point field goal percentage (35.6%).
COUNTING 20'S Paris Bass saw his streak of 20-point games come to an end at six as he had 18 at Oakland his last time out.
His streak of 20-point games consisted of tying his career high for the fourth time with 28 points at Valparaiso, 22 points at UIC, 24 points at NKU, against Milwaukee and Green Bay and 20 at Youngstown State.
The six-straight 20-point games were the most for a Titan since Willie Green did it in 10-straight from 2002-03.
The 20-point streak also came after he went three-straight games not even reaching double figures with seven against NKU and at Cleveland State and six versus Wright State.
In the last seven games, he is averaging 22.9 points on 51.7% shooting (62-of-120) and 73.7% (28-of-38) at the free-throw line to go with 8.7 rebounds.
GLASS MANSophomore
Paris Bass collected a career-high 17 rebounds at Cleveland State on Feb. 4, which was just 10 less than what the entire CSU team recorded.
His 17 rebounds were the most since Feb. 14, 2010, when Eli Holman had 18 vs. Milwaukee.
Bass has now collected double-digit rebounds in five of the last eight contests and seven times in HL play.
In conference play, Bass is fourth in rebounding at 8.4 per game, while his 7.7 mark is fifth overall.
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.
Bass tallied 18 points his last time out at Oakland, just two points shy of tallying his seventh-straight 20-point game.
He posted his sixth double-double of the season with a team-high 22 points and 11 rebounds at UIC on Feb. 19.
He also had a team-high 24 points and 10 rebounds against Milwaukee, 24 points and 13 boards against Green Bay and a game-high 24 points and 12 rebounds at Northern Kentucky.
Bass tied his career high for the fourth time with 28 points at Valpo on Feb. 21, which also included seven rebounds and a season-tying four steals.
Some other great games included 28 points at Wright State, 28 points and 13 rebounds against Cleveland State, 23 points, eight rebounds and six blocks at Green Bay and 20 points, eight rebounds, a career-high six assists, three blocks and a steal vs. Oakland.
LURKING IN THE WATERSophomore
Paris Bass has recorded double figures in scoring in 18 of his 22 contests, pulled down seven rebounds in 15 games and has had three assists or more 11 times, not to mention 12, 20-point outings and six double-doubles.
His 12, 20-point games is tied for third in the HL, while his six double-doubles in HL games only is tied for fifth.
He is averaging 18.7 ppg., 7.7 rpg., 2.2 apg., 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game.
In Horizon League only games, he is fourth in scoring (19.1), blocks (1.6) and steals (1.6) and tied for fourth in rebounding (8.1).
Bass has totaled a career-high 411 points on the season, surpassing the 410 he had last year - in 11 fewer games.
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 in the win against Wright State, one off his career best.
Wilson has made a triple in 28 of 29 games this season with his only blemish against Milwaukee (0-for-3) on Feb. 13.
He has 20 career game with four or more treys, 88 career games with at least two 3-pointers and 35 games knocking down at least three treys.
#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 42.9% (82-of-191), which is currently fifth in school history. He is also seventh in the HL and 26th in the nation.
His 82 treys on the season is a new career high surpassing the 56 he had last year, the third-straight season he has made at least 50.
He enters the game tied for fifth in school history in single season 3-pointers with 82.
Wilson is also fifth in school history with 201 career 3-pointers and third in UDM history with a 41.1 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. - 201Career 3-Point Field Goal % Leaders1. Archie Tullos, 1985-88 - .433
2. Bill Wood, 1987-90 - .415
3. Anton Wilson, 2012-pre. - .411Titan Season 3-Point Field Goal Leaders1. Rashad Phillips, 2001 - 136
2. Rashad Phillips, 2000 - 102
3. Greg Grays, 2002 - 95
4. Desmond Ferguson, 1999 - 83
5. Desmond Ferguson, 2000 - 82
Anton Wilson, 2016 - 82WHAT A SENIOR YEARSenior
Anton Wilson has 24 double-digit scoring games with three 20-point efforts.
He is second on the team in scoring at 14.3 ppg., - eighth in the HL. His 82 treys top UDM and his 2.83 three-point field goals per game is second in the HL and 44th in the nation.
DOUBLE-UP CHRISJunior
Chris Jenkins has scored in double figures 16 times this season, which includes six 20-point games, a career high in points and three double-doubles.
He is coming off a 22-point effort at Oakland where he was 9-of-14 from the field, tying his career high in field goals for the third time.
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:
- 16 games in double figures
- 19 games with five or more rebounds
- 10 games with two or more assists
- 8 games with two or more steals.
He is currently third on the team and 14th in the HL in scoring (12.6), while standing second on the team and 12th in the league in field-goal percentage (49.8%).
He is also among the team leaders and the top 15 in the Horizon League in:
3-Point Field Goal Percentage (45.4%) - 4th
Free throw percentage (76.4%) - 9th
Steals (1.1) - 12th
Rebounding (5.7) - 13th
JA-LETHALSophomore
Jaleel Hogan has been in double figures 17 times on the year posting 13 points with eight boards at Oakland his last time out.
He posted his second double-double of the year with 18 points and a season-tying 10 boards against Green Bay.
Back on Jan. 16, he tallied a career-high 20 points with eight rebounds against Oakland and had his first career double-double with 14 points and 10 boards earlier in the year versus Bowling Green.
He is fourth on the team netting 10.3 points per game, all while shooting 57.1 percent, second in the HL.
PAINT MANWith his strength, sophomore
Jaleel Hogan is uncanny in the paint showcased by his career 58.7 (183-of-312) field-goal percentage.
On the year, he is second in the HL in field-goal percentage at 57.1% including leading the league in conference play at 58.1%.
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.
Right now his mark of 57.1% is 11th in the Titan record book and the highest since Eli Holman's 61.4% for third in 2010.
CB'S FINAL STANDCarlton Brundidge has had a career year so far in his final season of eligibility.
He recorded his 15th double-digit scoring effort of the season with 19 points at Valparaiso on Feb. 21. That was after tallying his third career 20-point game with 21 points and a team-high seven assists at UIC.
Brundidge registered his second double-digit rebounding game with 11 boards at NKU and that performance came after he had his first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 12 boards against Milwaukee.
On Jan. 31 vs. Wright State, he played just 10 minutes and did not score, but since then (8 games) he is averaging 13.1 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 2.7 apg., and is shooting 52.6% (40-of-76). He has also scored in double digits in six of those eight games, posted his first career double-double and his third 20-point game.
He is second on the team with 2.3 assists - 14th in the HL - and is fifth on the team in scoring (9.7) and fifth in rebounding (3.9). He also leads the team with a 2.1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Earlier in the year, he posted a career-best 23 points at Oral Roberts and had a career-high nine assists against UM-Dearborn.
HIGH-SCORING ROOKIEFreshman
Josh McFolley has scored in double figures 12 times this year, including 15 his last time out at Oakland and 16 points against Youngstown State on Feb. 6 - the most he has scored in HL play.
McFolley netted a season-high 20-points in a victory over Northeastern, 19 at Eastern Michigan and 16 in the win versus Toledo.
He posted a season-high six assists in the win over Cleveland State and now has eight games on the year with four or more assists.
He is currently sixth on the team with 8.6 ppg. - fourth among HL rookies - and is third among all HL freshmen in three-point field goals per game (1.5) and three-point field goal percentage (35.6%).
