The Cleveland State Vikings (0-2) and the Ohio Bobcats (0-1) meet Saturday at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN3). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Cleveland State vs. Ohio odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Vikings of Cleveland State have stumbled out of the chute, losing 72-68 in the opener Monday to Notre Dame College, a Division II team, before falling 69-58 at Cincinnati Thursday. The Vikings were able to cover a 22.5-point spread at UC as the Under cashed.
The Bobcats of Ohio put up a spirited effort in Nashville against Belmont Monday, winning 70-69 as 6-point underdogs as the Under connected. Ohio outrebounded Belmont by a 34-30 margin while shooting 43.3% (26-of-60) from the field and 45% (9-of-20) from downtown.
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Cleveland State at Ohio odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:39 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cleveland State +340 (bet $100 to win $340) | Ohio -500 (bet $500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cleveland State +9.5 (-112) | Ohio -9.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -108 | U: -117)
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Cleveland State at Ohio picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio 72, Cleveland State 61
Moneyline
Ohio (-500) will cost you 5 times your potential return in this Buckeye State battle. While the Bobcats should pick up their first win of the season after a near-miss in Nashville, that’s too much risk for not enough reward.
PASS, and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
OHIO -9.5 (-112) is worth a look in Saturday’s matinee affair.
The Bobcats showed off their size, outrebounding Belmont in its place while shooting well from the free-throw stripe.
Keep fading the Vikings until further notice, as this is a team that was dropped at home by a Division II team. That’s embarrassing and could signal a long season ahead for the Horizon League squad.
Over/Under
UNDER 137.5 (-117) is the lean here.
Cleveland State cashed the Under in its loss in Cincinnati Thursday, while Ohio hit the Under in the opener at Belmont Monday.
The Under is also 4-0 in the past 4 road games for CSU dating back to last season, while Ohio has cashed the Under in 6 of the past 7 overall going back to the end of last season.
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