Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team ushers in 2025 with a New Year's Day contest at Horizon League foe IU-Indy, Wednesday, Jan. 1. Tipoff is slated for 12 p.m. at Corteva Coliseum at the Fairgrounds and the game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Up Next
Youngstown State continues its trek through the Hoosier state visiting Purdue Fort Wayne, Saturday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State closed out 2024 with their seventh straight win and moved to 4-0 in league play for the first time in program history with a 73-64 win over Detroit Mercy on Dec. 29. Senior EJ Farmer led three Penguins reaching double figures with 16 points while Gabe Dynes posted 12 points with five rebounds and four blocks. Nico Galette added 10 points for the Penguins.

Series vs. IU-Indy
This is the 24th meeting between Youngstown State and IU-Indy in a series dating back to 1975. The Penguins own a 21-2 advantage in the all-time series and have won the last seven contests. Last season, the Penguins swept the season series with 75-65 win in Youngstown and a 78-50 victory in Indianapolis. The last time the Jaguars defeated the Penguins was a 72-70 win in Youngstown in 2021. Youngstown State owns an all-time record of 9-0 against the Jaguars in games played in Indianapolis. 

Scouting IU-Indy
IU-Indy enters the game with an overall record of 5-10 and a 1-3 Horizon League mark. The Jaguars, who own a 4-2 home record, are led by Paul Zilinskas with 18.7 points per game and Jarvis Walker with 16.3 points per contest. Sean Craig is averaging 10.4 points per game. The Jaguars are averaging 76.7 points per game while allowing 72.8 points per contest. IU-Indy also averaging 10.5 3-pointers made per game.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 10-5 overall and 5-0 in the Horizon League.
• Would extend YSU's win streak to eight and set the program's Division I win streak record.
• Mark the first time the Penguins won eight consecutive games since 1979-80.
• Mark Youngstown State's first 5-0 start in Horizon League play.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's 10th career win and first over IU-Indy.
• Mark Youngstown State's eighth straight victory over the Jaguars.
• Be Youngstown State's 10th win over IU-Indy in Indianapolis, and the seventh at Corteva Coliseum at the Fairgrounds.
• Give the Penguins a 5-3 road record overall and a 3-0 Horizon League road record. 

Against the HL
The Penguins have played well in their first four Horizon League games of the season. Youngstown State is averaging 72.8 points per game but is allowing just 60.5 points per league contest. EJ Farmer leads the Penguins with 13.8 points per game each against league foes while Jason Nelson is averaging 10.8 points per game. Nico Galette is averaging 10.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game while Gabe Dynes is posting 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game.

Guins Nearing D-I Win Streak
The Penguins are also seeking their eighth straight victory, which would set the program's Division I record for consecutive wins. The last time Youngstown State won at least eight consecutive games was during the 1979-80 season. The Penguins tied the mark of seven after their 73-64 win over Detroit Mercy on Dec. 29. The record was set in 1997-98 and tied in 2023-24.

Getting Defensive
Youngstown State has been tough to score on during Horizon League play. The Penguins are allowing just 60.5 points per contest, and their opponents are shooting just 36.7 percent from the field and 21.8 percent from 3-point range. Youngstown State is also forcing 14.5 turnovers per game in league action. 

Guins in the HL
Youngstown State has been on quite a run during league play over the last three-plus seasons. The Penguins own a record of 45-20 in Horizon League play since the start of the 2021-22 campaign. Youngstown State went 12-9 in 2021-22, 15-5 in 2022-23, 14-6 in 2023-24, and is currently 4-0 in 2024-25.