The Youngstown State Penguins (2-7), who are currently on a five-game losing streak, will try to get back in the win column when they head to Holt Arena to go head-to-head against the Idaho State Bengals (3-5). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 157.5 points with Idaho State set as a 4.5-point favorite. Action starts at 9 p.m. ET on Monday, December 18, 2017.
Youngstown State Penguins vs. Idaho State Bengals ATS Preview
The Penguins got blown out by the Butler Bulldogs in their last game, 95-67. Youngstown State’s Cameron Morse put up 16 points and five assists in the contest. Butler forced the Penguins into a turnover percentage of 22.9 (above their season average of 16.1). Youngstown State, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.220 (above their season average of 0.178).
In the Bengals last game, they topped the Northwest Nazarene Crusaders, 73-57. Idaho State was lifted by Kyle Ingram, who put up 10 points and 10 rebounds. Idaho State played a nearly flawless game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 43.3 (above their season average of 24.9) and a free throw rate of 0.396 (above their season average of 0.254). Northwest Nazarene was 20.8 and 0.206, respectively, for those same stats.
This has potential to be a sloppy game for the offense of Idaho State. Since the 2016-17 season, Idaho State ranks 204th in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.6 percent), while the disruptive defense of Youngstown State has forced the 25th-most turnovers in the nation (18.2 percent). Furthermore, the Penguins have been among the NCAA’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking 27th in offensive rebounding percentage (28.7 percent). The Bengals, meanwhile, rank 276th at securing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 68.5 percent.
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. Youngstown State games have gone over 57.1 percent of the time, while 75.0 percent of games including Idaho State have finished under. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Bengals have a substantial advantage. They are 3-5 SU and 1-2-1 ATS, while the Penguins are 2-7 SU and 1-6 ATS.
Youngstown State Penguins vs. Idaho State Bengals ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Idaho State, ATS Winner – Youngstown State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Penguins average 6.5 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the NCAA. The Bengals rank 119th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
- Youngstown State ranks 61st in rebounds per game (37.0) while Idaho State ranks 253rd (30.6).
- The Penguins rank 69th in assists per game (15.1) while the Bengals rank 244th (10.4).
- Youngstown State ranks 43rd in three pointers allowed per game (22.8) while Idaho State ranks 175th (23.2).
