YOUNGSTOWN — Northern Kentucky has plenty of talented players no taller than 6-feet-6 with four on the floor who can spread the opposition.

The Norse have 149 steals, ranking 22nd in the country, and two players with 12 or more 3-pointers through six Horizon League games. That in a year when the NCAA players around the country are struggling to convert from the 3-point line which has been moved out a couple of feet.

Defensively, Northern Kentucky holds teams to just above 65 points each time on the floor. In addition, the Norse (12-6, 4-2 Horizon League) are hard to beat at the BB&T Arena, a place where the Youngstown State University men’s basketball team hasn’t won before.

Northern Kentucky has won its last three league games by at least 11 points.

“I think they’re a confident bunch,” said YSU coach Jerrod Calhoun, whose team is 11-7, 4-1 Horizon.

“They’re an NCAA Tournament team, a lot of players back off of that team. Sometimes when a new coach comes in you think there will be a drop-off. It certainly isn’t. (First-year) coach (Darrin) Horn has done a great job with this group.”

YSU plays at the BB&T Arena tonight at 7, in Highland Heights, Ky., just south of Cincinnati.

NK leading scorer Dantez Walton, a 6-6 senior who averages 18.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, has been out since Dec.15. He could return tonight.

Jalen Tate, a 6-6 redshirt junior, missed the first 10 games of the season due to an injury. He’s averaging less than 11 points in the Horizon season.

“Two of the best players in the Horizon League have battled through some injuries,” Calhoun said. “They’re a team, all of a sudden, you can say, ‘Wow. They’re getting back to healthy.’

“They’re going to be a dangerous group on the road in a really convincing way. Our guys have to understand what awaits us (tonight).”

Trevon Faulkner, a 6-3 sophomore, has been one of the steady forces for the Norse. He averages more than 12 points per game.

“He’s one of those guys from freshman to sophomore year has made the jump,” Calhoun said. “His game is much more well-rounded. He can post you, make shots from the perimeter now. He’s much more confident on the court, much stronger.

“That’s the natural progression freshman to sophomore year. He’s got a lot of ability. He’s a lefty, hard to guard. Tough kid. I really respect his game.”

Tyler Sharpe, a 6-0 senior, has the quick hands for Northern Kentucky. He averages more than 15 points per game and leads the team with 35 steals.

YSU has to play an intense 40 minutes tonight to be competitive. Calhoun said you must have great discipline on the road, along with physical and mental toughness — make free throws; take care of the basketball; play defense without fouling; follow the scouting report; understand ball-screen coverage; be disciplined about your approach to the opponent.

“I think that’s how you win on the road,” Calhoun said.

The Penguins are one of the best rebounding teams in the league. Naz Bohannon usually leads the charge as a double-double threat each time he takes the floor.

Michael Akuchie (6-8), who had a double-double last week against Oakland, has to be part of YSU’s inside equation.

“He’s a stretch guy who can make shots from the perimeter,” Calhoun said. “He’s really good at pick-and-roll situations. I thought he did a tremendous job rebounding the basketball in the Oakland game. We can relay on Naz rebounding the basketball. It’s got to be a group effort. It’s something Mike, lately, has done a better job, getting to the glass.”

Devin Morgan has been in an offensive slump off the bench, but he was 3 of 6 from 3-point range for nine points in Saturday’s 69-67 win over Detroit.

He said his teammates put him in good situations. Morgan also works hard in the gym — honing his craft.

“Just be ready when my name is called,” Morgan said. “Hopefully I can make three, six or whatever we need to win the game.”

Winning won’t come easy at NKU.

“We know Northern Kentucky is a hard opponent for us,” Morgan said. “They have a great culture there. We have to lock in on our scout. We had a couple of days to prepare for them. It’s going to be a big game, great, electric atmosphere. This is a game that can push us forward in the conference.”

YSU has to defend like it has all season to have a chance.

“We’re going to have to keep them out of the paint, close out, make every shot tough for them,” said Morgan, whose team allows 68 points per game. “Playing away is always harder. We have to go in there and almost play a perfect game. We know our game won’t be perfect. Defense travels. Our identity has been defense. If we go in there and hold them to under 60-65 points and make shots. Our offense has got better.

“We have been playing great defense this year, but haven’t been making shots. As long as our defense travels and we go in with a good mindset, I think we’ll come out with a victory.”

YSU averages 71 points per game and Darius Quisenberry has had at least 15 points in the Penguins’ four Horizon League wins.

“The easiest thing is to score the basketball,” Calhoun said. “When you score the basketball it limits the opportunities to run. We’ve got to score the ball. Our offense has to be clicking. We’ve got to get to the offensive glass. If you’re not making shots, how to do you create scoring opportunities? It’s real easy. Go to the glass.

“Defend at a high level. We’ve got to get back, stop the ball. We’ve got to understand there’s four guards on the perimeter at all times. They spread you out. They’re small. They make nine 3s a game. We have seen very few teams like that. I think they’re a hard match because they put a lot of pressure on the paint. All four guys can drive the ball.”