The Youngstown State Penguins open their 2023-24 college basketball regular season on the road Monday with a visit to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. Last season, Youngstown State was 24-10 overall and 15-5 in the Horizon league, winning the league title, finishing one game ahead of three other rivals. Louisiana was 25-8 overall and 13-5 in Sun Belt Conference action, finishing second in the conference to Southern Miss by just one game. Neither team has any players listed on its injury report
Youngstown State is ready to pick up where it left off last season after winning the Horizon League regular season title, but must rely on new faces to do so as the Penguins have just one starter back. Guard Brandon Rush is the only starter back and will be helped by two transfers. DJ Burns, a forward, arrives from Murray State and Jaylen Bates, a forward, is from Florida A&M.
Two freshmen are expected to make an immediate impact while reserves from last season Dante DePante and Christian Kirkland will also be in the mix. With Milwaukee, Northern Kentucky and Cleveland State all expected to be strong this season, Youngstown State will have its work cut out to retain the regular season title.