Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team plays its first home game of 2025 when it hosts Horizon League foe Northern Kentucky, Wednesday, Jan. 8. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center and the game will be broadcast on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Up Next
Youngstown State hosts another critical Horizon League contest when it entertains Cleveland State, Saturday, Jan. 11. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

Last Time Out
Youngstown State's eight-game win streak was snapped after a 90-81 setback to Purdue Fort Wayne on Jan. 4. Cris Carroll posted the first double-double of his career with 20 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Penguins. Nico Galette scored 14 points while EJ Farmer and David Wilkerson added 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Series vs. NKU
This is the 30th meeting between Youngstown State and Northern Kentucky in a series that dates back to 1976.  The Norse own a 17-12 advantage in the all-time series.  Last season, the Penguins and Norse split the season series.  Northern Kentucky won, 79-76, in Highland Heights, Ky., and the Penguins won, 82-52, at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.  Youngstown State owns an 8-5 record against the Norse in games played in Youngstown and has won the last two contests against the Norse in Youngstown.

Scouting Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky enters the game with an overall record of 9-7 and a league mark of 4-1. The Norse, who are 1-5 on the road, are led by Trey Robinson with 16.1 points per game. Josh Dilling is averaging 12.1 points per contest while Sam Vinson is posting 11.8 points per contest. The Norse are averaging 71.6 points per game and allowing 69.3 points per contest.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 11-6 overall and 6-1 in the Horizon League.
• Mark Youngstown State's first 6-1 start in Horizon League play.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's 11th career win and first over Northern Kentucky.
• Mark Youngstown State 13th win over the Norse the ninth at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.
• Be the second straight win over Northern Kentucky.
• Give the Penguins a 5-1 home record overall and a 3-0 Horizon League home record. 

Critical League Stretch
The Penguins are amid a critical Horizon League stretch. Their next three opponents sit just one-half game behind the Penguins in the league standings. The Penguins lead the league with a 5-1 mark while Northern Kentucky, Cleveland State and Milwaukee are all 4-1 as of Jan. 7. 

Carroll Posts First Double-Double
Junior Cris Carroll posted the first double-double of his career and set a couple career highs while doing so. Carroll tied a career-scoring high with 20 points and grabbed a career-best 12 rebounds against Purdue Fort Wayne on Jan. 4. He is the second player this season to record a double-double. Nico Galette has two double-doubles for the Penguins.

Against the League
The Penguins have played well in their first six Horizon League games of the season. Youngstown State is averaging 74.8 points per game and is allowing just 65.5 points per league contest. EJ Farmer leads the Penguins with 15.5 points per game each against league foes while Nico Galette is averaging 10.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Gabe Dynes is posting 7.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.
 
Guins Vs. 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 46-21 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 5-1 in 2024-25.

Rim Protector, Nation's Leader
Sophomore center Gabe Dynes has become one of the nation's top rim protectors. He also leads the nation with 51 total blocks and 3.2 blocks per game as of Jan. 7, and he also ranks fifth all-time at Youngstown State. He needs seven 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. Now with 112 career blocks, Dynes is the fifth player in YSU history to post 100 blocks in a career.