Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team begins a two-game road trip through the State of Wisconsin when it visits co-preseason favorite Milwaukee, Friday, Jan. 17. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. at UWM Panther Arena and the game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.
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Up Next
Youngstown State continues its Wisconsin swing when it visits Green Bay, Sunday, Jan. 19. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. in Green Bay, Wis.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State dropped a tough home contest to Cleveland State, 80-72, on Jan 11. Junior Cris Carroll led the Penguins with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting while Ty Harper had 16 points and eight rebounds. Jason Nelson added 10 points and dished out four assists. As a team, Youngstown State made 13 3-pointers led by Carroll, Harper and Siem Uijtendaal with three each.

Series vs. Milwaukee
This is the 55th meeting between Youngstown State and Milwaukee in a series that dates back to 1972. The Panthers own a 33-21 advantage in the all-time series, but the Penguins have won the last three straight. Last season, the Penguins swept the season series with overtime wins in Youngstown (97-85) and Milwaukee (84-80). Youngstown State has also won nine of the last 11 contests and 11 of the 15 games against Milwaukee. 

Scouting Milwaukee
Milwaukee enters the game with an overall record of 12-6 and 5-2 in Horizon League play. The Panthers, who are 8-0 at home, are coming off a 70-59 win over Green Bay on Jan. 11. Themus Fulks leads the Panthers with 15.3 points per game while Kentrell Pullian is averaging 13.7 points per contest. Jamichael Stillwell is average 13.4 points per game and AJ McKee is posting 12.1 points per contest. The Panthers are averaging 78.2 points per game while allowing 70.7 points per contest.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 12-7 overall and 7-2 in the Horizon League.
• Mark the fourth time in program history YSU began conference play 7-2.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's 12th career win and first over Milwaukee.
• Mark Youngstown State's fourth consecutive win over Milwaukee and the 10th in the last 12 games.
• Give the Penguins a 6-4 road record overall and a 4-1 Horizon League road record. 

Penguins Dialing Up From Deep
Over the last eight games, Youngstown State has taken advantage of the 3-point line. The Penguins have made 84 3-pointers over that span for an average of 10.5 3-pointers made per game.

Against the League
The Penguins have played well in their eight seven Horizon League games of the season. Youngstown State is averaging 74.1 points per game and is allowing just 66.8 points per league contest. EJ Farmer leads the Penguins with 15.5 points per game each against league foes. Gabe Dynes is posting 7.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.

Fly High Ty
Fifth-year senior Ty Harper showcased his offensive prowess over the last two games. Harper averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game last week. He shot 50 percent from the field and made seven 3-pointers. 

Home Sweet Home
Youngstown State has been quite protective of its home court over the last five seasons. The Penguins have won 28 of the last 35 overall at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. YSU has won 70 games at home since the start of the 2019-20 season and own a 70-22 mark during that time. Youngstown State is 33-7 at home since the start of the 2022-23 season. The Penguins are 27-5 in their last 32 regular-season home games.

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 47-22 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 6-2 in 2024-25.

Dynes Leads Nation
Sophomore center Gabe Dynes has become one of the nation's top rim protectors. He leads the nation with 56 total blocks and 3.1 blocks per game as of Jan. 15, and he also ranks fifth all-time at Youngstown State 117. He needs two more to move into fourth place. The 7-foot-3 center set a career high with nine blocks against Toledo on Dec. 14. His blocks also marked an NCAA Division I single-game high this season. 

More Dynes
With his 56 blocks this season, sophomore Gabe Dynes now ranks seventh on the single-season list. His 61 blocks last year ranked sixth and he needs six more to pass himself for sixth place. Dynes is also just the third player in program history to record at least 50 blocks in a season multiple times.