The Beeghly Center is buzzing right now. If you haven't checked the Youngstown State basketball schedule lately, you might have missed a wild transition year that's actually working. Most people expected a total collapse after Jerrod Calhoun left for Utah State. Honestly, I did too.
But Ethan Faulkner has these guys at 9-9. They just lost a tough one to Wright State, 93-83, on January 15. That hurts. Still, this team is scrappy. Read more on a connected issue: this related article.
Why the Men's Schedule is a Rollercoaster
Basically, the Penguins are in the meat of the Horizon League calendar. It’s a grind. You've got games coming at you every three days. The schedule is relentless.
- January 17: At Cleveland State (2:00 PM). This is a massive rivalry game.
- January 22: Home vs Green Bay (6:30 PM).
- January 24: Home vs Milwaukee (2:00 PM).
- January 30: Home vs IU Indy (6:30 PM).
Look at those dates. It's a heavy home stretch at the end of the month. If they want to move up from their current 2-5 conference record, they have to protect the Zidian Family Arena. Further journalism by CBS Sports explores related perspectives on this issue.
Cris Carroll is the guy to watch. He’s averaging 17.2 points. He just dropped a career-high seven 3-pointers against Northern Kentucky earlier this month. When he’s hot, they can beat anyone in this league. Bryson Dawkins is also finding his rhythm, coming off a season-high 21 points against Bryant & Stratton.
The Women Are Actually Dominating
Everyone talks about the men, but the women’s team is the real story in Youngstown right now. They are 13-5. Let that sink in. They've already surpassed their win total from the entire last season.
Just yesterday, January 14, they pulled off a miracle. They were down 15 points against Wright State. On the road! Sarah Baker went absolutely nuclear with 25 points and 11 rebounds. They forced overtime and then just steamrolled the Raiders in the extra period.
Their upcoming Youngstown State basketball schedule looks like this:
- January 17: Home vs IU Indy (2:00 PM).
- January 21: At Robert Morris (6:00 PM).
- January 25: Home vs Cleveland State (1:00 PM).
- January 29: At Detroit Mercy (7:00 PM).
They are 6-2 in the Horizon League. They’re legitimate contenders.
What Most People Get Wrong About Beeghly Center Games
People think these mid-major games are quiet. They aren't. Not this year.
The atmosphere for the Purdue Fort Wayne game on January 7 was intense, even though the men lost a 71-69 heartbreaker. The schedule is designed to build momentum toward the Barbasol Horizon League Championships in late February.
If you're planning to go, Saturday games are usually the move. The doubleheaders are great. You get the women's game in the afternoon and the men's energy right after.
Key Matchups to Circle
The February 7 game against Robert Morris is the one everyone has circled. It’s a rematch of last year's championship participants. It's also at home.
By then, we'll know if the men can climb out of the bottom half of the standings. They currently sit in 9th place. It’s not great, but the gap between 9th and 5th is only a couple of games. One good week changes everything.
The women's game against Green Bay on February 7 is equally huge. Green Bay is the standard in this league. If YSU wants a top seed, they have to prove they can handle the Phoenix.
How to Follow the Action
Most of these games are on ESPN+. If you're a local, 570 WKBN is the spot for the men’s radio calls, while 1390 WNIO usually handles the women’s side.
Tickets are usually pretty easy to grab unless it’s Cleveland State or Robert Morris. Those sell out fast.
The season is halfway over. The "new era" under Faulkner isn't perfect, but it's competitive. The women’s team is a juggernaut.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the TV Listings: Ensure your ESPN+ subscription is active before the January 17 Cleveland State road game, as local blackouts sometimes apply to Horizon League matchups.
- Secure Rivalry Tickets: Buy tickets for the February 7 home game against Robert Morris now, as this is designated as a high-interest "rematch" game by the league.
- Monitor Roster Health: Keep an eye on Imanuel Zorgvol's minutes; the 7-footer’s presence in the paint is the deciding factor in the Penguins' defensive rebounding stats heading into February.
