The Youngstown State Penguins (20-6, 12-3 Horizon) battle the Cleveland State Vikings (15-11, 10-5) Sunday. Tip from Wolstein Center is set for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Youngstown State vs. Cleveland State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
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Youngstown State beat Cleveland State 85-71 on Dec. 29, covering as a 6-point home favorite as the Over 139 hit.
The Penguins are coming off a 81-72 win Friday over Purdue Fort Wayne, covering as a 4-point road favorite. They are 3-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 4 games and are 16-8 ATS, a Horizon league best, on the season.
The Vikings are coming off a 57-55 win Friday over Robert Morris, failing to cover as a 6-point home favorite. They are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 after going 5-0 in the previous 5 games. They are 12-12 ATS on the season.
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Youngstown State at Cleveland State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:09 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Youngstown State -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Cleveland State +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Youngstown State -2.5 (-110) | Cleveland State +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Youngstown State at Cleveland State picks and predictions
Prediction
Youngstown State 77, Cleveland State 72
Moneyline
PASS.
The spread and moneyline are so similar that I’d prefer to take the betters odds on the former given the perceived outcome of this battle.
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Against the spread
YOUNGSTOWN STATE -2.5 (-110).
Youngstown State has thrived in this position — as a road underdog. It is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 road games, all of which it has been favored in. Youngstown State is 9-3 ATS on the road while Cleveland State is 4-6 ATS at home.
Youngstown State is also 10-5 ATS in Horizon League play while Cleveland State is 8-7 ATS. The Vikings are 0-1 as a home underdog this season as well.
Considering the season-long trends, back YOUNGSTOWN STATE -2.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 146.5 (-110).
Cleveland State has gone Over in 5 of its last 6 games. It has scored at least 78 points in 4 of its last 6 as well. It has also allowed at least 70 in 5 of its last 6, and playing against the Penguins offense, which is averaging 83.5 points per game, the Vikings’ sloppy defensive play lately could be an issue.
Youngstown State is 17-7 O/U this season while Cleveland State is 12-12 O/U. The two are a combined 20-10 O/U against conference foes. Back the OVER 146.5 (-110).
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