The Niagara Purple Eagles (5-4) will travel to the Wolstein Center to square off against the Cleveland State Vikings (4-8). Action begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 19, 2018, and can be seen on ESPN 3.
Niagara Purple Eagles at Cleveland State Vikings Betting Odds
In their last game, the Vikings were blown out by the Davidson Wildcats, 83-63, while the Purple Eagles were victorious over the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 80-72.
Niagara played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.306 and a turnover percentage of 14.1. For those same stats, St. Bonaventure had marks of 0.029 and 17.8, respectively. Cleveland State, on the other hand, had a much better free throw rate (0.244 vs. 0.139). Cleveland State was lifted by Rashad Williams, who contributed 15 points. Marvin Prochet, meanwhile fueled Niagara with 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Purple Eagles won the only contest between these two teams last year, 79-77. Niagara made good use of their 25 trips to the charity stripe, making 20 of them (80.0 percent). Cleveland State, on the other hand, was just 8-12 (66.7 percent).
Second-chance opportunities might be rare for Cleveland State in this meeting. The Vikings rank 238th in offensive rebounding percentage (23.7 percent), while Niagara ranks 79th in defensive rebounding percentage (70.1 percent) since the 2017-18 season. Furthermore, the Purple Eagles rank 27th in turnover percentage (15.4 percent), while the Vikings rank 302nd in opponents’ turnover percentage (19.4 percent).
Niagara Purple Eagles at Cleveland State Vikings Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Cleveland State, ATS Winner – Niagara, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
- Niagara averages 38.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 62nd in the country. Cleveland State ranks 237th in rebounds allowed per game (38.5).
- The Vikings rank 32nd in three pointers attempted per game (25.3) while the Purple Eagles rank 118th (23.0).
- Cleveland State ranks 107th in blocks per game (2.7) while Niagara ranks 136th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
- The Vikings rank 44th in assists per game (13.7) while the Purple Eagles rank 207th (11.8).
- Niagara ranks 18th in steals allowed per game (5.0) while Cleveland State ranks 126th (5.6).
