Reviving a Forgotten Duel
Youngstown State’s men’s basketball program is set to travel to Cincinnati on November 18, 2026, for a non‑conference showdown that marks the first meeting between the two schools in more than two decades.
The matchup will be the fourth installment of a series that has favored the Bearcats, who hold a 3‑0 lead, the most recent victory having come in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where they edged the Penguins 74‑65 in December 2000.
Cincinnati enters the game after a balanced 18‑15 season a year ago, a campaign that included a 9‑9 record in the Big XII and saw Jerrod Calhoun, a former mentor of Youngstown State, begin his first year as head coach of the Bearcats.
For Youngstown State, the contest represents more than just a game; it is the first time since 1999 that the Penguins have stepped onto the court in Cincinnati, adding a layer of nostalgia for fans who remember the last encounter in the Ohio city.
The scheduling move reflects a broader trend of mid‑major programs seeking high‑profile road tests early in the season, a strategy that can boost recruiting visibility and provide valuable experience before conference play begins.