Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team is gearing up for the 2025 Jacksonville Classic Presented by Just Play Solutions, Nov. 23-24, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Penguins will face UNC-Greensboro on Sunday Nov. 23 at 5:30 p.m. and Georgia Southern, Monday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Both games will be played at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports and Music Complex on the campus of Edward Waters University.
Up Next
After facing Georgia Southern on Monday, Youngstown State returns home to take on Chicago State, Friday, Nov. 28. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. The game will be aired on 570 WKBN and ESPN+
Last Time Out
The Penguins are coming off a 92-75 loss to Toledo on Nov. 19. Senior Bryson Dawkins led the Penguins with a season-high 16 points on 6-of-12 shooting while Cris Carroll scored 14 points with three 3-pointers. Vlad Salaridze added 13 points off the bench.
A Win Would...
- Improve YSU's record to 3-3.
- Be Youngstown State's first neutral site win of the season.
- Be Youngstown State's second straight win over UNC-Greensboro and the second neutral-site victory over the Spartans.
- Mark Ethan Faulkner's 24th career win and first victory over UNC-Greensboro.
Scouting UNC-Greensboro
UNC-Greensboro enters the game with an overall record of 0-5 and is coming off a 101-94 loss to Queens (N.C.) on Nov. 20. Leading the Spartans is Justin Neely with 14.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per game. Donald Whitehead, Jr. is averaging 13.6 points per game while KJ Younger is scoring 12.4 points per contest. As a team, the Spartans are averaging 75.0 points per game while allowing 93 points per contest.
Series vs. UNC-Greensboro, Georgia Southern
This is just the second meeting between Youngstown State and UNC-Greensboro and the first since 2014. YSU won the only meeting, 76-67, on Nov. 23, 2014. Youngstown State and Georgia Southern have only squared off one time, and this will be the first meeting in 40 years. The Eagles defeated the Penguins, 61-59, on Dec. 20, 1985, in Lafayette, La.
Going Carroll-ing
Senior Cris Carroll is off to blazing start in 2025-26. Carroll has scored in double figures in all five games and is averaging a team-best 14.2 points per contest. He is also shooting an impressive 54.2 percent from the floor and 46.4 percent from 3-point range.
Salaridze Solid Start
After missing the first three games of the year, Vlad Salaridze is making his presence felt. Salaridze is averaging 13 points per game and has connected on 10-of-13 field goal attempts for a 76.9 field-goal percentage. Salaridze scored 13 points against both St. Bonaventure (11/15) and Toledo (11/19).
Dawkins Increased Production
Over the last three games, senior guard Bryson Dawkins has increased his offensive production. Dawkins averaged 12.7 points per game and shot 51.6 percent (16-for-31) from the field during that span.
