Youngstown State University
Marshall
11/12/2026 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
| Youngstown State vs. Marshall | |
|---|---|
| Date & Time | Saturday, Nov. 14 | 6 p.m. |
| Location | Zidian Family Arena | Youngstown, Ohio |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Radio | 570 WKBN |
| Live Stats | YSUsports.com |
| Game Notes | Youngstown State | Marshall |
Setting the Scene
The Youngstown State men's basketball team (1-2) hosts Marshall for the first time since 1949 in its 2026-27 home opener on Saturday, Nov. 14. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. at Zidian Family Arena. The game will be aired on 570 WKBN and ESPN+. It marks the first game against the Thundering Herd since 2005.
Up Next
Youngstown State heads back on the road to visit in-state foe Cincinnati, Wednesday, Nov. 18. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Fifth Third Arena. The game will be aired on 570 WKBN and ESPN+. It marks the first game against the Bearcats since 2000.
Last Time Out
Sophomore Jaiden Haynes and senior Jeff Nwankwo each delivered career-scoring highs, and the Youngstown State men's basketball team shot season best from the field but dropped a 91-78 decision to Central Michigan on Nov. 10 at McGuirk Arena. Haynes scored 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor with four rebounds and four assists while Nwankwo recorded 15 points and made a career-best four 3-pointers. Sophomore Dom Aekins added 12 points and tied a career high with seven assists.
A Win Would...
- Improve YSU's record to 2-2
- Give YSU a 1-0 home record this season.
- Be Youngstown State's second win over Marshall and the first since 1950.
- Mark the Penguins' first win over the Thundering Head in Youngstown and at Zidian Family Arena
- Snap a two-game losing skid to the Thundering Herd.
- Mark Ethan Faulkner's 38th career win and first over Marshall.
Scouting Marshall
- Marshall enters the game with an overall record of 1-2 and is coming off an 84-74 loss to Ohio State on Nov. 9.
- Noah Otshudi leads the Thundering Herd with 21.7 points per game and is shooting 55.3 percent from the field.
- Bryce Slay is averaging 19 points per game while Fazi Oshodi is posting 10 points per contest.
- Marshall is averaging 80.7 points per contest and allowing 76.7 per game.
Series vs. Marshall
- This is the eight meeting between Youngstown State and Marshall in a series dating back to 1948.
- Marshall leads the all-time series, 6-1, and has won the last two contests.
- It marks the first game against the Thundering Herd since 2005.
- This is the also just the third time Youngstown State and Marshall have squared off against one another since 1950.
- The lone Youngstown State victory was an 81-67 triumph in 1950 in Huntington.
- This is the first time Youngstown State has hosted Marshall in Zidian Family Arena and just the third time overall.
- Youngstown State hosted Marshall on Feb. 2, 1949 and Dec. 19, 1949.
- Marshall won those games, 83-60, and 71-61, respectively.
Long Distance Linus
Through just three games, junior Linus Holmstrom has been deadly from distance. Holmstrom is averaging 3.7 3-pointers made per game while shooting at a 42.3 percent clip. He leads the Horizon League in 3-pointers made per game.
Haynes Hits For Career High
Sophomore guard Jaiden Haynes, the Penguins' lone returner, went off for a career-high 15 points against Central Michigan on Nov. 10. Haynes connected on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and went 5-for-5 from the free-throw line. He also dished out four assists.
Dom Dishin'
Sophomore point guard Dom Aekins has been doing a tremendous job being the Penguins' offensive facilitator. Aekins has 19 assists in three games for an average of 6.3 assists per game. His per game average ranks second in the Horizon League while his overall total ranks fourth.
Nwankwo Has Career Night at CMU
Fifth-year guard Jeff Nwankwo turned in the best offensive performance of his career against Central Michigan on Nov. 10. The Oklahoma City, Okla. native scored a career-high 15 points against the Chippewas. He also drilled a career-best four 3-pointers and added five rebounds.
