YSU hoops campaign announced

The Penguins open the 2009-10 season at Xavier before the home opener against Hiram two days later.

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

YOUNGSTOWN — Five teams that made the 2009 NCAA tournament, three opponents that finished in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Poll, games against members of the Big East Conference and Atlantic-10 and 15 home contests highlight the 2009-10 Youngstown State men’s basketball schedule.

“Again our staff has put together a very tough and exciting schedule,” Penguins coach Jerry Slocum said. “With five teams that made the NCAA tournament last season and seven teams with 20-plus wins, our schedule will challenge us in the non-conference and will prepare us for another difficult Horizon League season.

“I also think we have a very fan-friendly schedule with 15 home games at Beeghly Center.”

The Penguins open the season at Xavier, which reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. That game will be Friday, Nov. 13, at the Cintas Centre in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The home slate begins Sunday, Nov. 15, against Hiram, and Wednesday, Nov. 18, against Kent State, who made the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.

After an ESPN BracketBuster return trip to Saint Peter’s (N.J.) on Saturday, Nov. 21, the Penguins play host to Geneva on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the Beeghly Center.

The Penguins begin a stretch of five-straight road contests when they visit Pittsburgh, Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Petersen Events Center. The Panthers reached the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament last March.

The Penguins open Horizon League action at Detroit (Dec. 3) and Wright State (Dec. 5)

After a week off for final exams, the Penguins return to the road to face Saint Francis (Pa.) on Dec. 16 and Horizon League rival Green Bay on Dec. 19.

The Penguins begin a five-game home stretch when they play host to High Point on Dec. 22 and, after a short break for the Christmas holiday, Robert Morris on Dec. 30.

The homestand continues with three consecutive Horizon League games against Cleveland State (Jan. 2), UIC (Jan. 7) and Loyola (Jan. 9).

A swing through Indiana will pit the Penguins against Valparaiso (Jan. 14) and defending Horizon League regular-season champion and NCAA tournament participant Butler (Jan. 16).

A Horizon League game against Milwaukee on Jan. 21 starts a three-game homestand and it also includes Green Bay (Jan. 23) and a non-league tilt against North Carolina Central on Jan. 27.

The Penguins will play the next three contests on the road when they visit Cleveland State Jan. 30, and make a trip through Chicago to visit Loyola on Feb. 4 and UIC on Feb. 6.

Home games against Butler on Feb. 11 and Valparaiso on Feb. 13 precede two road games at Milwaukee and at the 2010 ESPN BracketBuster opponent.

The Penguins close out the regular season with two home games against Wright State on Feb. 25 and Detroit on Feb. 27, which will be Senior Day.

The Horizon League tournament begins March 2.

YSU Men's Basketball Schedule 2009-10

Nov. 13 — at Xavier

Nov. 15 — Hiram

Nov. 18 — Kent State

Nov. 21 — at Saint Peter’s (N.J.)

Nov. 24 — Geneva

Nov. 28 — at Pittsburgh

Dec. 3 — at Detroit, 7:05 p.m.

Dec. 5 — at Wright State

Dec. 16 — at Saint Francis (Pa.)

Dec. 19 — at Green Bay, 3 p.m.

Dec. 22 — High Point

Dec. 30 — Robert Morris

Jan. 2 — Cleveland State

Jan. 7 — Illinois-Chicago

Jan. 9 — Loyola

Jan. 14 — at Valparaiso, 8:05 p.m.

Jan. 16 — at Butler, 2 p.m.

Jan. 21 — Milwaukee

Jan. 23 — Green Bay

Jan. 27 — N. Carolina Central

Jan. 30 — at Cleveland State

Feb. 4 — at Loyola

Feb. 6 — at Illinois-Chicago, 4 p.m.

Feb. 11 — Butler

Feb. 13 — Valparaiso

Feb. 15 — at Milwaukee

Feb. 20 — at ESPN BracketBuster

Feb. 25 — Wright State

Feb. 27 — Detroit