The Northern Kentucky Norse (20-12) and Youngstown State Penguins (24-8) square off Monday in a Horizon League Tournament semifinal matchup. Tip from Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis is at 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Northern Kentucky picked up an 81-74 win against Oakland in the Horizon quarterfinals Thursday. NKU has won 5 of the past 6 games overall while going 6-0 against the spread (ATS) along that span. The Norse finished 14-6 in Horizon League play.
Youngstown State snuck by Detroit Mercy 71-66 in the quarterfinals Thursday, and it has won 4 of the past 5 games. The Penguins have failed to cover the past 3 outings and have cashed the Over in 3 of the past 4 games. Youngstown State finished 1st in the Horizon League with a 15-5 mark in conference play.
Youngstown State lost 77-73 in overtime at Northern Kentucky in the first meeting on Dec 1. YSU posted a 74-56 win against NKU at Beeghly Center in the rematch on Feb. 4, easily covering as a 3-point favorite as the Under (135.5) connected.
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Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:10 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the Board (OTB)
- Against the spread: Northern Kentucky +2.5 (-105) | Youngstown State -2.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 137.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State picks and predictions
Prediction
Northern Kentucky 68, Youngstown State 66
Moneyline
The moneyline was OTB at the time of publishing.
However, when it opens Northern Kentucky might be worth pursuing as an underdog since it split the season series with Youngstown State and has won 3 of the last 4 meetings between these programs.
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Against the spread
The play is NORTHERN KENTUCKY +2.5 (-105).
The Norse are 3-1 ATS in the past 4 meetings in this series, 13-6 ATS in their last 19 neutral-site games and 16-6 ATS in the past 22 games against teams with a winning overall mark. NKU has covered 6 straight games, too.
On the flip side, Youngstown State has covered just twice in the past 10 games in a neutral-site venue.
Over/Under
UNDER 137.5 (-105) is worth playing lightly, but go with a half-unit play at most.
The Under has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games against winning teams for the Norse and is 11-4 in their last 15 after a win and 8-3 in the past 11 following a cover.
The Under is 4-1 in the past 5 games for Youngstown State against teams with a winning overall record and 7-1 in the past 8 after a non-cover.
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