Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team closes out the month of November and plays just its second home game of the season when it hosts 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+.

Up Next
The Penguins, who play six of the next eight games at home, open Horizon League action when they host Wright State, Wednesday Dec. 3. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. The game will be aired on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.  

Last Time Out
The Penguins snapped a three-game losing skid with a hard-fought 67-61 victory over Georgia Southern on Nov. 24. Junior Rich Rolf scored a career-high 22 points to lead the Penguins. Senior Cris Carroll poured in 16 points while Cam Polak added 10 points.

Scouting Chicago State
Chicago State enters the game with an overall record of 0-7 and has lost all six road games it has played. The Cougars are coming off a 90-77 loss to Purdue Fort Wayne on Nov. 25. Marcus Tankersley leads the Cougars with 17.3 points per game while Doyel Cockrill III is averaging 11.7 points per contest. As a team, the Cougars are averaging 66 points per game and allowing 87.7 points per contest.

Series vs. Chicago State
This is the 23rd meeting between Youngstown State and Chicago State in a series dating back to 1989. The Penguins own a 14-8 advantage in the all-time series and have won nine of the last 10 contests.  Last season, Ethan Faulkner earned the first win of his career with an 80-60 victory over the Cougars on Nov. 9, 2024.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 4-4.
• Be Youngstown State's second home win of the season and improve its home record to 2-0.
• Be Youngstown State's second straight win over Chicago State.
• Mark the Penguins' 15th win over the Cougars and the eighth at Zidian Family Arena.
• Be the fifth straight victory over Chicago State at Zidian Family Arena
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's 25th career win and second victory over Chicago State.

Home Sweet Home
Youngstown State has been quite protective of its home court over the last five-plus seasons. The Penguins have won 34 of the last 45 overall at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. YSU has won 76 games at home since the start of the 2019-20 season and own a 76-26 mark during that time. Youngstown State is 39-11 at home since the start of the 2022-23 season. The Penguins are 32-9 in their last 41 regular-season home games.

Rolf Turns in Career Day
Junior Rich Rolf posted five career highs in the Penguins 67-61 win over Georgia Southern. He connected on 9-of-14 from the field with four three points and grabbed six rebounds. His set career highs in points scored, nine made field goals, 14 attempts, four made 3-pointers, and eight 3-point attempts. Over the last four games, Rolf averaged 12.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and shot 55.9 percent (19-for-34) from the field.

Going Carroll-ing
Senior Cris Carroll is off to blazing start in 2025-26. Carroll has scored in double figures in all seven games and is averaging a team-best 14.0 points per contest. He is also shooting an impressive 50.0 percent from the floor and 42.5 percent from 3-point range.

Dawkins Increasing Production
Over the last five games, senior guard Bryson Dawkins has increased his offensive production. Dawkins averaged 11.6 points per game and shot 47.1 percent (24-for-51) from the field during that span.