Honestly, if you've been following the Penguins lately, you know things are rarely boring at the Beeghly Center. But the way this 2025-26 run is unfolding? It's a total rollercoaster. We aren't just talking about a few games; the ysu men's basketball schedule is currently smack in the middle of a brutal Horizon League stretch that has every fan in Youngstown checking their blood pressure.
Ethan Faulkner is in his second year as the head coach, and he’s dealing with a roster that is basically brand new compared to the 20-win squads of the last couple of years. We just saw them take a tough 80-78 loss at Cleveland State on January 17, 2026. It was a heartbreaker. Cris Carroll went off for 21 points and 11 rebounds, but the Penguins couldn't quite close the door at the Wolstein Center.
The Remainder of the 2026 Horizon League Gauntlet
If you’re looking for where the season gets decided, it’s right now. The Penguins are sitting at 9-11 overall and 2-7 in the conference as of late January. That’s not where anyone wanted to be, but the schedule is finally shifting back to Youngstown.
Upcoming Home Stand at Zidian Family Arena
There is nothing like a home crowd to fix a losing streak. The Penguins have a massive three-game homestand coming up that starts with Green Bay on January 22. That game tips off at 6:30 p.m. and it’s basically "must-win" territory if they want to climb out of the conference basement.
Just two days later, on Saturday, January 24, Milwaukee comes to town for a 2 p.m. matinee. After that, they wrap up the month against IU Indy on January 30. If you’ve got tickets for these, hold onto them. These three games are the best chance YSU has to find some momentum before February hits.
What the 2025-26 YSU Men's Basketball Schedule Looked Like Early On
You’ve gotta look at the non-conference slate to understand why the team is where it is. It wasn't exactly a cakewalk. They started the year at Pitt—a 74-59 loss—but then pulled off a massive 90-81 upset at Grand Canyon. That win had everyone thinking this could be another 20-win season.
Then came the Jacksonville Classic. They split those games, losing to UNC Greensboro but beating Georgia Southern. It's been that kind of year—one step forward, one step back. They even dropped a heartbreaker in overtime at Robert Morris back in December, which really set a somber tone for the start of league play.
The Struggles in January
January has been... well, it’s been rough. Before the Cleveland State loss, they dropped games to Wright State, Purdue Fort Wayne, and Northern Kentucky. The bright spot was a 99-61 blowout against Bryant & Stratton College, but that was a non-conference "get-right" game that didn't help their standing in the Horizon League.
Defense is the main culprit. In the 93-83 loss to Wright State on January 15, the Raiders shot over 53% from the floor. You just can't win like that. Coach Faulkner has been vocal about needing more "stops," especially when guys like Bryson Dawkins and Vlad Salaridze are doing their part on the offensive end.
Key Players to Watch During the Home Stretch
If you’re heading to the Beeghly Center, there are a few names you need to know. These guys are the ones carrying the load on this ysu men's basketball schedule.
- Cris Carroll: The 6-foot-6 senior is a beast. He’s averaging double digits and just put up a double-double against CSU.
- Imanuel Zorgvol: He’s the 7-foot anchor. He actually leads the Horizon League in blocks (35 so far). Watching him protect the rim is worth the price of admission alone.
- Bryson Dawkins: A high-efficiency scorer who can get hot from three. He led the team with 19 points against Wright State.
- Jaiden Haynes: The freshman has been a surprise lately, shooting over 40% from deep over the last few games.
Looking Ahead to February and Beyond
The road doesn't get much easier once the calendar flips. In February, the Penguins have to travel to Fort Wayne (Feb 4) and then back up to Michigan for games against Oakland (Feb 12) and Detroit Mercy (Feb 15).
The regular season finishes with a trip to Wisconsin to face Milwaukee and Green Bay. It’s a reverse of the late January home stand. Basically, the schedule is mirrored. If they can sweep the home games now, they’ll have the confidence to go steal some on the road in late February.
Where to Watch and Listen
Most of the remaining games on the ysu men's basketball schedule are broadcast on ESPN+. If you're a radio person, 570 WKBN is the spot. Honestly, though, there’s no substitute for being in the stands. The atmosphere at Beeghly for conference games is usually pretty electric, even when the record isn't perfect.
Actionable Tips for Penguins Fans
If you're planning on following the rest of the season, here’s what you should do:
- Check the Tip-off Times: Some games are 6:30 p.m., while others (like the Milwaukee game) are 2 p.m. Don't show up late.
- Watch the Standings: The Horizon League tournament is all about seeding. Even if YSU finishes in the bottom half, they could host a first-round game if they stay ahead of teams like Detroit Mercy.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Imanuel Zorgvol is the defensive lynchpin. If he’s out, the Penguins' defense tends to struggle significantly more.
- Buy Tickets Early: Specifically for the Robert Morris game on February 7. That's a local rivalry, and the Beeghly Center usually gets packed.
The season is far from over. While the 2-7 start in the Horizon League is a hole, the upcoming home stretch provides a golden opportunity to climb back into the middle of the pack before the tournament starts in March.
