The Youngstown State Penguins (8-21, 6-10 Hor) will travel to BB&T Arena to take on the Northern Kentucky Norse (19-8, 12-3 Hor) in their home finale. The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 153.5 points with Northern Kentucky set as a 17-point favorite. Action begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, February 19, 2018.
Youngstown State Penguins vs. Northern Kentucky Norse Betting Preview
The Penguins fell to the Detroit Titans in their last game, 94-84. Youngstown State’s Naz Bohannon recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds in the contest. Detroit had a turnover percentage of 9.5 (better than their season average of 16.5). Youngstown State, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.0 vs. 25.0).
In the Norse’s last matchup, they were beaten by the Wright State Raiders, 69-67. With 12 points and 12 rebounds, Drew McDonald played well for Northern Kentucky. Wright State had a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 17.2). Northern Kentucky, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 42.4 (above their season average of 28.9).
The productive offense of Northern Kentucky will go head-to-head against the porous defense of Youngstown State. The Norse currently rank 48th in offensive efficiency, while the Penguins are 322nd in defensive efficiency. The Norse figure to have the edge on that end of the court.
Of Youngstown State’s 26 games that accepted bets, 14 have finished over the projected point total, while 15 of Northern Kentucky’s 24 games have finished under the projected point total. The Norse come into this game with much better straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 19-8 SU and 14-10 ATS, while the Penguins are 8-21 SU and 12-14 ATS.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to score 180 points, well over the projected point total of 150.5. The Norse won 95-85, but were unable to cover as 11-point favorites. Northern Kentucky’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Youngstown State. The Norse had a rate of 0.298, while the Penguins posted a mark of 0.167. McDonald recorded a double-double with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
Youngstown State Penguins vs. Northern Kentucky Norse ATS Prediction
Prediction: SU Winner – Northern Kentucky, ATS Winner – Northern Kentucky, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Norse rank 104th in rebounds per game (36.3) while the Penguins rank 148th in rebounds allowed per game (34.7).
- On the road, Youngstown State is 7-11 ATS with 10 overs and 8 unders.
- Northern Kentucky is 6-5 ATS at home with 8 unders and 3 overs.
- Northern Kentucky averages 16.6 assists per game, which ranks 26th in the nation. Youngstown State ranks 256th in assists allowed per game (16.4).
- The Norse average 7.4 steals per game, which ranks 43rd in the nation. The Penguins rank 174th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
- Northern Kentucky ranks 121st in blocks per game (3.3) while Youngstown State ranks 188th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
Betting Trends:
- Northern Kentucky is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Youngstown State is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Norse’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.6, down from 12.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Penguins have scored an average of 75.0 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 86.0 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
