Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team plays its third straight road contest when it takes on Atlantic Coast Conference member Syracuse for the first time in program history Saturday, Nov. 16. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y.

Up Next
Youngstown State plays three games in three days when it participates in the 2024 Axe 'Em Classic hosted by Stephen F. Austin, Nov. 21-23, in Nacogdoches, Texas. The Penguins face Monmouth on Nov. 21 at 5 p.m., Presbyterian on Nov. 22 at 3:30 p.m. and Stephen F. Austin on Nov. 23 at 6 p.m.

Penguins Picked Sixth
The Youngstown State men's basketball team was predicted to finish sixth in the 2024-25 Under Armour Horizon League Preseason Poll after a vote by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and select media, the league announced. The Penguins garnered 272 points and one first-place vote.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State dropped an 81-47 decision to No. 21 Ohio State on Nov. 11. Cris Carroll led the Penguins with 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 2-1 overall.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's second career win.
• Mark Youngstown State's first win over Syracuse.
• Be YSU's first win over an opponent from the ACC.
• Give the Penguins a road record of 2-1. 

Series vs. Syracuse
This is first meeting between Youngstown State and Syracuse.

Scouting Syracuse
Syracuse enters the game with an overall record of 2-0 and is coming off a 74-72 win over Colgate on Nov. 12. Chris Bell leads the Orange with a 17.0 points per game scoring average while Jyare Davis is averaging a double-double with 15 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. J.J. Starling and Eddie Lampkin, Jr. are also averaging in double figures with 13 and 12.5 points per game, respectively. Syracuse is averaging 80.0 points per game as a team and shooting 43.7 percent from the field. The Orange is also allowing 77 points per contest.

YSU vs. The ACC
This is the ninth time Youngstown State has faced a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Penguins own a 0-8 all-time record against member from the ACC. The last time Youngstown State played against an ACC opponent was an 88-81 loss at Notre Dame on Nov. 13, 2022.

YSU Against the ACC
Clemson (0-1)
Georgia Tech (0-1)
Maryland (0-1) 
NC State (0-1) 
Notre Dame (0-2) 
Pittsburgh (0-2) 

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.