Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team (0-1) heads to the cactus state to take on Grand Canyon for the first time in program history on Friday, Nov. 7. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET at Global Credit Union Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. The game will be aired on 570 WKBN and the Mountain West Network.
Up Next
Youngstown State returns home to host Penn State Shenango in the 2025-26 home opener, Monday, Nov. 10. 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
Youngstown State dropped its season opener 74-59 to Pittsburgh on Monday night at the Petersen Events Center. YSU was led by Cris Carroll who scored 18 points while Jason Nelson added 15. Carroll was 7-of-12 from the field and connected on three 3-pointers while Nelson was 5-of-9 and also made a trio of triples.
A Win Would...
- Improve YSU's record to 1-1.
- Mark Youngstown State's first win over Grand Canyon.
- Be Youngstown State's first win over a member of the Mountain West Conference.
- Mark Ethan Faulkner's 22nd career win and first win over Grand Canyon.
Scouting Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon won its season opener over Horizon League foe Purdue Fort Wayne, 90-71, on Nov. 3. Jaden Hanley and Nana Owusu-Anane each had 17 points while Owusu-Anane posted nine boards. Efe Demirel had 11 points while Dusty Stromer and Caleb Straw each had 10. The Lopes connected on 11 3 pointers against the Mastodons.
Series vs. Grand Canyon
This is the first meeting between Youngstown State and Grand Canyon. This is also just the second game against a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Penguins lost to Utah State, 91-74, on Dec. 20, 2017, in Logan, Utah. Youngstown State played current MWC member Air Force during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 campaigns before it was a member of the conference. The Penguins defeated the Falcons, 82-78, on Dec. 3, 1992, in Youngstown, and lost to Air Force, 83-57, in Colorado Springs on Jan.25, 1992.
Guins Seek Fourth Straight 20-Win Campaign
Youngstown State is coming off its third straight 20-win season after going 21-13 in 2024-25. It marked the first time in program history that the Penguins posted 20-win campaigns in three straight seasons. Youngstown State posted a 22-10 mark in 2023-24. YSU went 24-10 in 2022-23 and won the first regular-season conference championship in program history.
Penguins Picked Third
Youngstown State was predicted to finish third in the 2025-26 Under Armour Horizon League preseason poll after a vote of the league's head coaches, athletic communications directors, and select media. Youngstown State received 364 total points, including two first-place votes, and ranks behind preseason favorite Milwaukee (428 points, 24) and Oakland, (384, 7). Robert Morris, Purdue Fort Wayne and Northern Kentucky are predicted fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively, while Wright State was voted seventh and Cleveland State was slotted eighth. Detroit Mercy, IU Indy and Green Bay round out places nine, 10 and 11, respectively.
Carroll Named Preseason All-HL First Team
Senior Cris Carroll was voted to the Preseason All-Horizon League First-Team after averaging 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds per game last season. In league action, he averaged 9.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. He scored in double figures 16 times, recorded three double-doubles, and posted three 20-point games.
