Youngstown, Ohio – The Youngstown State men's basketball program has added an exhibition game against Akron to begin the 2025-26 campaign, Head Coach Ethan Faulkner announced.

The Penguins will host the Zips on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

"We are really excited to add a game of this caliber to help prepare us for the season," Faulkner said. "Akron is one of the premier programs in the MAC and this will be a great dress rehearsal for us that will make our team better.

"Additionally, the revenue from the ticket sales will be used to enhance our recruiting, retention, and overall program operations. We need our great fanbase to be here on October 29 to support our program like they always do."

All seating, except court-side chairs, is general admission and costs $20, including upper and lower chairback seats. Seating is first-come, first-serve.

Tickets will go on sale at the YSU athletics ticket office and online at YSUSports.com beginning Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 9 a.m.

The Penguins and Zips have faced each other 91 times in the all-time series. Akron leads the series, 59-32, and has won the last two contests.

Youngstown State last defeated Akron, 90-82, on November 12, 2016, at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.

The Penguins open the 2025-26 regular season at Pittsburgh, Monday, Nov. 3. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Petersen Event Center in Pittsburgh, Pa. The game will be aired on 570 WKBN and The ACC Network Extra.