Youngstown State vs. Milwaukee
Feb. 8, 2024 | Beeghly Center
Youngstown, Ohio | 6:30 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 (17-7, 9-4 Horizon League) begins a three-game homestand when it hosts Milwaukee in a critical Horizon League match up, Thursday, Feb. 8. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Beeghly Center in Youngstown, Ohio. The game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Up Next
The Penguins continue their three-game homestand when they host Green Bay, Saturday, Feb. 10. Tipoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. in Youngstown, Ohio. Saturday also marks the annual Hall of Fame Game and is Senior Day.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State is coming off an 82-78 loss at Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday afternoon. EJ Farmer led the Penguins with 19 points while DJ Burns posted a double-double with 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Brandon Rush scored 15 points and Ziggy Reid added 12.

Scouting Milwaukee
Milwaukee enters the game with a 12-11 overall record and a 7-5 mark in Horizon League play.  The Panthers are led by BJ Freeman with 18.1 points per game. Erik Pratt is averaging 12.8 points per game and Kentrell Pullian is averaging 11.9 points per contest.  As a team, the Panthers average 79 points per game.

Series vs. Milwaukee
This is the 43rd meeting between Youngstown State and Milwaukee in a series that dates back to 1972. The Panthers own a 33-19 advantage in the all-time series, but the Penguins have won five of the last six, seven of the last nine, and eight of the last 11 contests.  Most recently, the Penguins defeated the Panthers, 87-58, on Feb. 16, 2023. Youngstown State has won the last three games and six of the last seven contests against the Panthers at Beeghly Center.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 18-7 overall and 10-4 in Horizon League play.
• Mark the third straight season with at least 10 conference wins - longest streak in program history.
• Mark the first time since 1969-72 that YSU has won at least 18 games in three straight seasons.
• Be the third time since 1981-82 YSU won at least 18 times after 25 games.
• Give YSU a 12-1 home record.
• Be YSU's 20th win over Milwaukee.
• Be Youngstown State's second straight win over the Panthers and the sixth in the last seven games.
• Be the 238th in Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun's career and his 114th at Youngstown State.
• Make Jerrod Calhoun the third coach in school history to record at least 114 wins.
• Be Jerrod Calhoun's ninth win over Milwaukee.

Best Starts
A win over Milwaukee will mark the third time since 1981-82 YSU won at least 18 games through 25 games. Last season, YSU went 19-6 after 25 games. The only other time Youngstown State won at least 18 times through 25 games was in 1997-98.

Charitable Giving
Youngstown State has been quite successful this season from the charity stripe. As a team, the Penguins are shooting 77.0 percent from the free-throw line. That percentage currently ranks as the second highest-in program history. The school mark is 77.9 percent, which was set last season. Seven players are shooting above 73 percent on the year and four are connecting above 80 percent. 

Double-Double DJ
DJ Burns has been a force on the boards and in the scoring column for the Penguins. He leads the Horizon League with 235 total rebounds and 9.8 rebounds per game. Burns has also posted 14 double-double on the year and has a double-double in six straight games. In league play, Burns is averaging a double-double of 12.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.