The UIC Flames (13-12, 7-5 Hor) will be at the Wolstein Center to clash with the Cleveland State Vikings (7-19, 2-11 Hor) in a Hor matchup. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 14, 2019.
UIC Flames vs. Cleveland State Vikings Betting Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Vikings were victorious over the Milwaukee Panthers 78-68, while the Flames barely escaped the IUPUI Jaguars 76-75.
UIC’s 0.586 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over IUPUI, who had a rate of 0.444. The Flames’ mark was above their season average of 0.541, while the Jaguars’ was below their season average of 0.514. The Vikings, meanwhile, had a phenomenal effective field goal percentage of 0.643 (above their season average of 0.502) and had a turnover percentage of 11.5 (better than their season average of 16.7). Tyree Appleby led the way for Cleveland State with 19 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists to register his zeroth triple-double this year. Meanwhile, Tarkus Ferguson had a good game for UIC, recording 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.
In their first matchup this season, Ferguson led the Flames to a 73-56 victory. He recorded 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists. UIC made 17 of their 38 three pointers (44.7 percent), while Cleveland State was just 5-27 (18.5 percent).
The sweet-shooting offense of UIC will face off against the mid-tier defense of Cleveland State. The Flames currently rank 57th in effective field goal percentage (0.543), while the Vikings are 189th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.504). The Flames should have the advantage on that side of the ball.
UIC Flames vs. Cleveland State Vikings Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – UIC, ATS Winner – UIC, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- UIC averages 27.1 three pointers per game, which ranks 28th in the country. Cleveland State ranks 241st in three pointers allowed per game (25.0).
- The Flames rank 105th in steals per game (6.6) while the Vikings rank 156th in steals allowed per game (6.9).
- UIC averages 3.9 blocks per game, which is ranked 74th in the NCAA. Cleveland State ranks 99th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
- The Flames average 15.0 assists per game, which ranks 62nd in the nation. The Vikings rank 226th in assists allowed per game (15.3).
- Cleveland State ranks 137th in rebounds per game (35.8) while UIC ranks 238th in rebounds allowed per game (37.2).
Bettings Trends:
- The Vikings’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 4.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Flames have scored an average of 71.6 points per game (3.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (6.2 below their season average).
