For Monmouth basketball, Texas tourney a big opportunity: 3 keys vs. Youngstown State

It certainly looked like Monmouth’s most complete performance of the season, with the Hawks even at Wichita State with less than two minutes to play, after leading by seven points in the second half before falling, 70-66.

But in the aftermath of five tough season-opening games, which included a pair of high major losses, the Axe ‘Em Classic at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas, provides three opportunities to get a win – and maybe more than one.

It begins Thursday when Monmouth (0-5) takes on Youngstown State (1-2) out the Horizon League, with tipoff at 5 p.m. at William R. Johnson Colisum. The game will not be broadcast on any streaming platforms. The audio is available at the Monmouth Digital Network.

The Hawks then take on the hosts Friday at 6 p.m., before closing out the tournament against Presbyterian at noon Saturday.

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Picked sixth in the 11 team Horizon League, Youngstown State comes off losses to Ohio State and Syracuse, after winning its season-opener against Chicago State.

Nov 4, 2024; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Monmouth Hawks guard Abdi Bashir Jr. (1) is defended by Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images

Monmouth played in a similar format tournament last season at the Palestra, winning its first two games against Belmont and Lafayette, before losing to Penn.

The Hawks need to win a game in Texas to avoid equaling the 0-8 start they had in 2011-12, head coach King Rice’s first season, and 2021-22, when they started 1-20.

Here are three keys for Monmouth against Youngstown State:

1.  Make your free throws

It was painful to watch.

Monmouth was shooting 81.6 percent from the line after its first four games, which was 12th nationally.  Yet inexplicably, the Hawks hit just 6-of-18 against Wichita State, and completely collapsed in the final minutes with the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/monmouth-basketball-texas-tourney-big-105427593.html

Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press

Publish date : 2024-11-21 10:54:00

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