The Youngstown State Penguins (19-6, 11-3 Horizon) battle the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons (15-10, 7-7) Friday. Tip from Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Youngstown State vs. Purdue Fort Wayne odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Youngstown State has won 12 of its last 14 games, but one of those losses was a 76-71 home loss to Purdue Fort Wayne, failing to cover as a 4-point home favorite on Dec. 31. The Under (150) hit in that meeting.
The Penguins enter Friday’s road game off a 74-56 home win over Northern Kentucky Saturday, covering as 3-point home favorites. They have covered the spread in 7 of their last 10 outings and are 15-8 against the spread (ATS) on the season.
The Mastodons are 2-3 straight up over their last 5 and are 1-4 ATS in that span. They are coming off an 85-52 road loss to Detroit Mercy Saturday, failing to cover as 2-point underdogs. Purdue Fort Wayne is 9-14 ATS on the season.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
Youngstown State at Purdue Fort Wayne odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board (OTB)
- Against the spread (ATS): Youngstown State -3.5 (-115) | Purdue Fort Wayne +3.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 151.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Youngstown State at Purdue Fort Wayne picks and predictions
Prediction
Youngstown State 80, Purdue Fort Wayne 73
Moneyline
The moneyline was OTB at the time of publication.
However, this will be an AVOID when it opens. Purdue Fort Wayne has lost 2 of its last 3 home games and is 4-5 over its last 9 games as well. Pass on backing the home underdog to pull off the upset despite that it won the first meeting.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
BET YOUNGSTOWN STATE -3.5 (-115).
Purdue Fort Wayne has not performed well as of late. It has lost 2 of its last 5 by at least 20 points and is just 2-8 ATS over its last 10 games.
The Mastodons are a conference-worst 3-11 ATS against Horizon opponents while Youngstown State is 9-5 ATS. Youngstown State is also 6-2 ATS as a road favorite, so this is a position it has thrived in.
While Purdue Fort Wayne is elite at defending the perimeter, Youngstown State can score at all levels, sitting 10th in the nation in field goal percentage (49.3%). Considering its offensive skill set and season-long ability to cover on the road, back YOUNGSTOWN STATE -3.5 (-115).
Over/Under
LEAN OVER 151.5 (-105).
Youngstown State has an electric offense, averaging 83.6 points per game (8th). It also has a flawed defense, sitting 292nd in the NCAA in opponents’ field goal percentage (45.6%). Combine the two, and it is easy to see why the Penguins are 16-7 O/U this season. They are 9-5 O/U in conference games.
Purdue Fort Wayne is 6-8 O/U in conference games and 4-5 O/U at home. The Mastodons average 74.4 points per game. Put it all together, and the OVER 151.5 (-105) appears to be the stronger play.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]