The Cleveland State Vikings (8-21, 5-11 Hor) will travel to Ervin J. Nutter Center to meet the Wright State Raiders (20-8, 12-3 Hor) in their home finale. The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 136 points with Wright State set as a 14-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, February 19, 2018.
Cleveland State Vikings vs. Wright State Raiders Free Preview
The Vikings were beaten by the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in their last matchup, 82-66. With 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting, Anthony Wright led Cleveland State in scoring. Oakland had an offensive rebounding percentage of 48.1 (above their season average of 27.1). Cleveland State, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 9.1 (better than their season average of 17.4).
In the Raiders last matchup, they topped the Northern Kentucky Norse, 69-67. Wright State rallied around Loudon Love, who was the teams leading scorer with 15 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Wright State dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 17.2) and a free throw rate of 0.218 (matching their season average). Northern Kentucky recorded marks of 17.0 and 0.172, respectively, for those same stats.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, Wright State should have a considerable edge. The Raiders defense ranks 72nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.484), while the Cleveland State offense is ranked 202nd in effective field goal percentage (0.507). Furthermore, the Vikings rank 320th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.194), while the Raiders rank 52nd in opponents FTA rate (0.197).
Of Cleveland State’s 26 games that accepted bets, 13 have finished under the O/U total, while 17 of Wright State’s 26 games have finished under the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Raiders have a clear advantage. They are 20-8 SU and 14-12 ATS, while the Vikings are 8-21 SU and 12-12-2 ATS.
Love has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Wright State, averaging 16.2 points and 14.0 rebounds per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 151 points, well over the projected point total of 133. The Vikings won 77-74, covering as 9-point underdogs. Cleveland State made 14 of its 32 three pointers (43.8 percent). Wright State, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (29.7 vs. 14.3). Love had a double-double in the loss, with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Cleveland State Vikings at Wright State Raiders Odds Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – Wright State, ATS Winner – Cleveland State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Vikings rank 40th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while the Raiders rank 95th (6.1).
- Wright State ranks 42nd in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Cleveland State ranks 96th (3.3).
- On the road, Cleveland State is 9-6 ATS with 8 unders and 7 overs.
- Wright State is 6-7 ATS at home with 12 unders and 1 over.
- Cleveland State ranks 49th in three pointers attempted per game (25.3) while Wright State ranks 219th (19.9).
- The Raiders rank 63rd in assists allowed per game (12.0) while the Vikings rank 226th (15.3).
- Wright State ranks 124th in rebounds per game (36.0) while Cleveland State ranks 285th (29.7).
Betting Trends:
- Wright State is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Cleveland State is 2-2-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Raiders average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.6, down from 6.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Vikings have scored an average of 72.2 points per game (4.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 77.6 points per game (2.5 above their season average).
