Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team (8-6, 2-2 Horizon League) rings in the new year and closes out its three-game homestand when it welcomes Horizon League foe Oakland, Thursday, Jan. 1. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena. The game will be aired on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

Up Next
Youngstown State plays its first road game of 2026 when it visits Northern Kentucky, Sunday, Jan. 4 at Truist Arena in Highland Heights, Ky. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. and the game will be aired on 570 WKBN and ESPN+.

A Win Would...

• Improve YSU's record to 9-6 overall, 3-2 in the Horizon League.
• Give YSU a 6-1 home record this season.
• Be Youngstown State's third straight victory over the Golden Grizzlies and the sixth in the last eight games.
• Mark Youngstown State's 11th win over the Golden Grizzlies at Zidian Family Arena.
• Mark Ethan Faulkner's 30th career win and third victory over Oakland.

Scouting Oakland
Oakland enters the game with an overall record of 6-8 and a 2-1 Horizon League mark. The Golden Grizzlies are coming off an 88-73 loss at Wright State on Dec. 29. Leading Oakland is senior Brody Robinson with 16.8 points and 5.9 assists per game. Michael Houge is averaging 14.6 points per contest and Isaac Garrett is averaging 13.9 points per game. The Golden Grizzlies average 82.3 points per game and allow 84.3 points per contest.

Series vs. Oakland
This is the 37th meeting between Youngstown State and Oakland in a series dating back to 1999.  The Golden Grizzlies own a 22-14 advantage in the all-time series, but the Penguins have won the last two games and five of the last seven contests.  Youngstown State has defeated Oakland 10 times at Zidian Family Arena. In the last meeting, the Penguins defeated the Golden Grizzlies, 84-75, on Feb. 6, 2025, in Rochester, Mich.  That win marked just the third time Youngstown State won in Rochester.  The Penguins defeated the Golden Grizzlies, 66-50, in the last meeting at Zidian Family Arena on Dec. 7, 2024.

Last Time Out
Four players scored in double figures, but the Youngstown State men's basketball team fell to Detroit Mercy, 73-68, on Monday evening at Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center. Senior Cris Carroll led the Penguins with 15 points and eight rebounds while senior Bryson Dawkins scored 14 points. Senior Jason Nelson and junior Tae Blackshear each added 12 points. The Penguins shot a season-low 32.8 percent from the field in the loss.

Guins Off to Hot Start
A couple Youngstown State players are off to a hot start in Horizon League play. Senior Cris Carroll ranks third in the league with 22.3 points per game and is shooting 55.3 percent from the floor and 43.3 percent from 3-point range. Senior Bryson Dawkins averages 12.5 points per contest and has a 52.6 field-goal percentage. 

Zorgvol Leads League
Senior Imanuel Zorgvol has been a tremendous rim protector this season. Zorgvol leads the Horizon League with 24 total blocks and 1.7 blocks per game. He has recorded at least one block in 12 of 14 games and multiple blocks eight times. Zorgvol posted four blocks against Grand Canyon (Nov. 7) and USC Upstate (Dec. 20).

Carroll Goes Off for Career High
Senior Cris Carroll turned in the best offensive performance of his YSU tenure with a career-high 31 points against Robert Morris. Carroll connected on 10-for-12 from the field, including a career-best six 3-pointers. His 10 made field-goals were also a career high.

Guins Top Scorers are Efficient
Youngstown State's top four scorers are putting points up at quite an efficient pace. Cris Carroll, Rich Rolf, Bryson Dawkins and Vlad Salaridze are all averaging at least 8.9 points per game and shooting 47 percent or better from the field.
• Carroll - 17.1 ppg | 52.9 FG%
• Dawkins - 10.2 ppg | 48.3 FG%
• Rolf - 9.9 ppg | 51.5 FG%
• Salaridze - 8.9 ppg | 47.1 FG%