Here’s a play from Greg Dempson on a matchup from the Sunday NCAA hoops card. Yesterday’s write-up and selection on Oklahoma State was a dud, so let’s hope for a better effort today as the Penguins face the Vikings.
Youngstown State at Cleveland State
In this contest my power rating has Cleveland State as a favorite of 7.5 points. Youngstown State is 17-10, and 11-5 in Horizon League play, as they take the road vs. Cleveland State (18-8), and 12-3 in the Horizon League.
Cleveland State scores an average of 73.8 points per game and allows an average of 65.2 points per game, which is 200th and 29th respectively. The edge in this game favors the Vikings’ defense as they are ranked 90th in field goal shooting – 42.1% and 163rd overall, as well as 33.1% in three-point shooting allowed.
In their earlier meeting on January 11, Cleveland State defeated Youngstown State as 4.5 point road underdogs (80-72), Youngstown State averages 77.4 points per game, but is only 247th in field goal shooting while 311th in three-point shooting and that will be detrimental against a tough Cleveland State defense.
Play: I have the Vikings winning by double-digits in this match-up. My selection is on Cleveland State -3.