Robic hopes second time a charm
Justin Smolkovich
Issue date: 2/10/05 Section: Sports and Recreation
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The Youngstown State University Penguins will face two games in three days as they travel to Chicago and then head north to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Coach John Robic said he believes the second time may prove the charm for the 4-17 Penguins, who are coming off a loss to Green Bay.
"Against UIC, watching the tape, we had chances in that game. We answered their runs pretty well," Robic said about the Penguins first match up against the flames, which the Penguins lost 62-56.
Robic also noted UIC is a dangerous team looking to solidify a conference tournament seed.
"They are right in the thick of things like a lot of teams are for that third seed," Robic said. "We are going to get their best effort Thursday."
The Flames are dangerous due in large part to their talented big-man Jovan Stefanov, who scorched the Penguins in their previous meeting showing a hot hand from behind the 3-point stripe.
"Stefanov for UIC gives us a tough, tough, match up because he is about 6 foot 8 inches -6 foot 9 inches and he is their three-man," Robic said. "When they made their run against us last time he scored 11 consecutive points."
The Flames' Cedric Banks complements Stefanov, who has recently been lighting up opponents and putting up big numbers.
"Cedrick Banks is as good as ever and is playing well as he showed Saturday against Milwaukee when he had 29," Robic said.
The Penguins will need to overcome to avenge their loss to Green Bay. Last Saturday's loss, if anything, has inspired the Penguins, who are looking for their third conference win.
"I think immediately after the game it brought them back down to Earth's surface a little bit," Robic said.
Robic said he also believes the Penguins will come out filled with emotion and ready to play as the last few days of practice have been competitive.
"If we can get that same type of effort the next two days, I'll feel very comfortable headed into the game on Thursday," the coach said.
Familiarity will also play a large part in helping the Penguins match up against both the Flames and Panthers of Milwaukee, as the Penguins are down to a solid rotation of players.
"It is primarily eight guys right now," Robic said. "Unless we need to throw a bigger player in a pinch, we could go nine. But we are primarily going with the same eight most of the way."
The Penguins will take on the Flames at 8 p.m. Thursday and will travel to Milwaukee to play the Panthers on Saturday with another 8 p.m. tip off.
Call Justin Smolkovich at (330) 941- 3758
Coach John Robic said he believes the second time may prove the charm for the 4-17 Penguins, who are coming off a loss to Green Bay.
"Against UIC, watching the tape, we had chances in that game. We answered their runs pretty well," Robic said about the Penguins first match up against the flames, which the Penguins lost 62-56.
Robic also noted UIC is a dangerous team looking to solidify a conference tournament seed.
"They are right in the thick of things like a lot of teams are for that third seed," Robic said. "We are going to get their best effort Thursday."
The Flames are dangerous due in large part to their talented big-man Jovan Stefanov, who scorched the Penguins in their previous meeting showing a hot hand from behind the 3-point stripe.
"Stefanov for UIC gives us a tough, tough, match up because he is about 6 foot 8 inches -6 foot 9 inches and he is their three-man," Robic said. "When they made their run against us last time he scored 11 consecutive points."
The Flames' Cedric Banks complements Stefanov, who has recently been lighting up opponents and putting up big numbers.
"Cedrick Banks is as good as ever and is playing well as he showed Saturday against Milwaukee when he had 29," Robic said.
The Penguins will need to overcome to avenge their loss to Green Bay. Last Saturday's loss, if anything, has inspired the Penguins, who are looking for their third conference win.
"I think immediately after the game it brought them back down to Earth's surface a little bit," Robic said.
Robic said he also believes the Penguins will come out filled with emotion and ready to play as the last few days of practice have been competitive.
"If we can get that same type of effort the next two days, I'll feel very comfortable headed into the game on Thursday," the coach said.
Familiarity will also play a large part in helping the Penguins match up against both the Flames and Panthers of Milwaukee, as the Penguins are down to a solid rotation of players.
"It is primarily eight guys right now," Robic said. "Unless we need to throw a bigger player in a pinch, we could go nine. But we are primarily going with the same eight most of the way."
The Penguins will take on the Flames at 8 p.m. Thursday and will travel to Milwaukee to play the Panthers on Saturday with another 8 p.m. tip off.
Call Justin Smolkovich at (330) 941- 3758