Youngstown State vs. Northern Kentucky
Jan. 28, 2024 | Beeghly Center
Youngstown, Ohio | 1:30 p.m.

Broadcast Information
Radio: 570 WKBN (Robb Schmidt) | Listen
TV: ESPN+ | Watch
App Audio - iHeartRadio App
Live Stats

Tipoff Notes
The Youngstown State men's basketball team (15-6, 7-3 Horizon League) opens the second half of Horizon League play when it hosts Northern Kentucky, Sunday, Jan. 28. Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m. at Beeghly Center in Youngstown, Ohio. The game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Up Next
The Penguins go back on the road to take on Wright State in a nationally-televised game on ESPNU, Thursday, Feb. 1. Tipoff is slated for 9 p.m. at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State knocked off IUPUI, 78-50, on Jan. 25. DJ Burns posted his 11th double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Ziggy Reid also scored 16 points. EJ Farmer added 15 points off the bench. The Jaguars' 50 points is tied for the third-lowest points allowed by the Penguins in a Horizon League game.

Scouting NKU
Northern Kentucky enters the game with an 11-10 overall record and a 6-4 mark in Horizon League play. Marques Warrick leads the Norse with 19.5 points per game. The Norse is averaging 73.4 points per game and allowing 71.1 points per contest.

Series vs. Northern Kentucky
This is the 29th meeting between Youngstown State and Northern Kentucky in  a series that dates back to 1976. The Norse own a 17-11 advantage in the all-time series and have won the last two contests. Northern Kentucky won the first meeting this season, 79-76, in Highland Heights, Ky.  Youngstown State owns a 7-5 record against Northern Kentucky at Beeghly Center. The Penguins defeated the Norse, 74-56, in the last meeting at Beeghly Center on Feb. 4, 2023. 

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 16-6 overall and 8-3 in Horizon League play.
• Be the third time since 1981-82 YSU won at least 16 times after 22 games.
• Mark the second straight year YSU began the year 16-6.
• Give YSU a 11-1 home record.
• Be YSU's 12th win over Northern Kentucky.
• Be Youngstown State's second straight win over the Norse at Beeghly Center.
• Mark the eighth win over NKU at Beeghly Center.
• Be the 236th in Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun's career and his 112th at Youngstown State.
• Make Jerrod Calhoun the third coach in school history to record at least 112 wins.
• Be Jerrod Calhoun's third win over Northern Kentucky.

Zig Don't Zag
Ziggy Reid has been on quite a tear for the Penguins. Over the last six games, Reid has scored in double figures in each contest and averaged 18.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. He also shot 57.7 percent (41-for-71) from the floor and 56.5 percent (13-for-23) from  3-point range. He has also made 17 of his last 18 free-throw attempts.

Block Party
Youngstown State has been protecting the rim the season. The Penguins rank second in the Horizon League with 106 blocks and 5.1 blocks per game. The Penguins' 106 blocks rank 11th on the YSU single-season list. The Penguins need two more to move into 10th. YSU posted 10 blocks against IUPUI on Jan. 25. It marked the second time this season YSU had at least 10 blocks in a game.Against Navy, the Penguins record 10 blocks. It marked the first time in more than 10 years the Penguins had at least 10 blocks in a game. The last time YSU had 10 blocks in a game was against Westminster on Nov. 23, 2013. 

Burns Sixth Nationally in Double-Doubles
DJ Burns leads the Horizon League with 9.3 rebounds per game and 195 total rebounds. He also leads the league and ranks sixth nationally with 11 double-doubles. He ranks 16th in the country in total rebounds.

Home Sweet Home
Youngstown State has been quite protective of its home court over the last four-plus seasons. The Penguins had won 15 straight regular-season home games and have won 20 of the last 23 overall. YSU has won 60 games at Beeghly Center since the start of the 2019-20 season and own a 60-19 mark during that time. Youngstown State is 24-4 at Beeghly Center since the start of the 2022-23 season. The Penguins are 18-1 in their last 19 regular season home games.

Penguin Portal Success
Over the last two-plus seasons, Youngstown State has flourished during the transfer portal era. The Penguins own a record of 58-31 over the past two-plus campaigns, and produced five all-conference selections. Youngstown State has been tough to beat at home over the last two-plus years posting a 37-11 mark.