The Wright State Raiders (13-10, 6-6 Horizon) will look to knock out the Youngstown State Penguins (17-6, 9-3) in Youngstown Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Wright State vs. Youngstown State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
After beating Detroit Mercy 73-63 as 8.5-point favorites on Sunday, the Youngstown State Penguins will look for its 3rd straight home conference victory here. Wright State is also looking for its 3rd straight win after drilling Green Bay 77-46 as 16.5-point favorites on Saturday.
With Wright State averaging 80.0 points per game and Youngstown State averaging 83.7 points, a shootout could be in store, especially with both defenses being terrible. Youngstown State allows 72.7 PPG (270th) and Wright State is worse allowing 73.3 PPG (286th).
There will not be many opportunities for rebounds in this game as the Raiders come in ranked 4th in the nation averaging 50.1% field goals and the Penguins rank 7th at 49.6% from the field.
This will be an up and down game with both teams scoring buckets in droves. In the 1st meeting on Dec. 4, Youngstown (+2.5) won 88-77 as the 153.5 Over cashed.
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Wright State at 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 11:28 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Wright State +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Youngstown State -240 (bet $240 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Wright State +5.5 (-115) | Youngstown State -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Wright State at Youngstown State picks and predictions
Prediction
Youngstown State 77, Wright State 74
Moneyline
PASS.
Both of these teams can score and neither can play defense, so nothing would be surprising in the final score. But Youngstown State is the better team and the more likely victor. However -240 is too much to risk, so unless you are making a parlay, stay away from the number.
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Against the spread
WRIGHT STATE +5.5 (-115) is the side to take here.
Wright State, despite being on the road, will be able to put up enough points to stay close. The Penguins, despite being the 6th-ranked offense in the nation, have failed to meet its average point total in its last 3 games. The 5.5 points is therefore too much of a cushion between these high scoring teams and I will take the underdog Wright State to cover.
Over/Under
UNDER 157.5 (-115) is the total to take.
Despite the high scoring nature of these teams, Youngstown State has gone Under its posted total in its previous 2 home games while Wright State also went Under in its last outing.
In recent games, Wright State is 5-1 to the Under on the road against teams with winning home records. While this game will be up and down, the 157.5 is a few points too high and I will lean to the Under.
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