Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team is geared up for a quick turnaround when visits in-state foe and B1G member Ohio State Monday, Nov. 11. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Value City Arena.

Up Next
Youngstown State continues its road swing when it takes on Atlantic Coast Conference member Syracuse Saturday. Nov. 16. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. in Syracuse, N.Y.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State picked up its first win of the year and the first career win for Head Coach Ethan Faulkner after an 80-60 victory over Chicago State on Nov. 9. Fifth-year senior Nico Galette scored a game-high 20 points with nine rebounds while junior Juwan Maxey posted 14 points. Fifth-year senior Ty Harper scored 12 points while sophomore Gabe Dynes added 11 points with seven blocked shots.

Series vs. Ohio State
This is the sixth meeting between Youngstown State and Ohio State in a series dating back to 1982. Ohio State has won all five previous games, including the most recent in 2018. The Buckeyes defeated the Penguins 75-56 on Dec. 18, 2018. All five games have been played in Columbus and the last three have been played in Value City Arena.

Scouting Ohio State
Ohio State enters the game with on overall record of 1-0 after an impressive 80-72 win over Texas on Nov. 4. Bruce Thornton led the Buckeyes with 20 points while Micah Parrish had 17 points. Devin Royal and John Mobley, Jr. were also in double figures with 16 and 14 points, respectively. Ohio State shot 45 percent from the field and made 14 3-pointers against the Longhorns. 

Dynes Tied Career High
Sophomore Gabe Dynes tied a career high with seven blocks against Chicago State on Nov. 9. The last time he had seven blocks in a game was against Milwaukee on Feb. 8, 2024 at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

Faulkner Era
Ethan Faulkner is in his first season as Head Coach of the Youngstown State men's basketball program after serving as the associate head coach for two years and three seasons as an assistant coach. During Faulkner's time at YSU, the Penguins have won a total of 99 games.

Road Warriors
Youngstown State begins the 2024-25 season with its first six games away from Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. It marks the first time in program history the Penguins will begin a year with six consecutive games away from home.

Most Wins in HL
Over the last three-plus seasons, Youngstown State owns a Horizon League best 66 overall wins and a league-high 41 conference victories. The Penguins won 19 games in 2021-22, 24 during the 2022-23 season, and 22 in 2023-24. In league play, the Penguins won 12, 15 and 14 games, respectively.

Impressive Penguin Debuts
Nico Galette, Juwan Maxey and Ty Harper all had impressive debuts for the Penguins against Chicago State. The trio accounted for 46 of the Penguins 80 points and 17 of their 26 made field goals.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 2-0 overall.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's second career win.
• Mark Youngstown State's first win over Ohio State
• Be YSU's first win over a Big Ten opponent.
• Give the Penguins a road record of 2-0.