Cleveland State vs Northern Kentucky Prediction 3/6/25 College Basketball Picks Today
Northern Kentucky (17-15) vs. Cleveland State (20-11)
March 6, 2025 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Cleveland State -4.5; Over/Under: 138.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Northern Kentucky Norse and Cleveland State Vikings meet Thursday in the college basketball Horizon Quarterfinal at the Wolstein Center. Here’s a Cleveland State vs Northern Kentucky Prediction. This article will include a Cleveland State vs Northern Kentucky Pick.
Northern Kentucky Norse Betting Preview
The Northern Kentucky Norse are coming off wins over Fort Wayne, Youngstown State, and Detroit. Northern Kentucky has won five straight games and has a chance at its longest winning streak of the season.
The Northern Kentucky Norse are averaging 71.3 points on 43.8 percent shooting and allowing 72.1 points on 44.8 percent shooting. Trey Robinson is averaging 15.8 points and 6 rebounds, while Josh Dilling is averaging 12.8 points and 2.7 assists. Sam Vinson is the third double-digit scorer and Randall Pettus II is grabbing 2.9 rebounds. The Northern Kentucky Norse are shooting 32.9 percent from beyond the arc and 66 percent from the free throw line. The Northern Kentucky Norse are allowing 36.7 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.7 rebounds per game.
Cleveland State Vikings Betting Preview
The Cleveland State Vikings are coming off losses to Wright State and Oakland, along with a win over Fort Wayne. Cleveland State looks for two straight wins for the first time since January 25-30.
The Cleveland State Vikings are averaging 73.6 points on 45.1 percent shooting and allowing 66.5 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Tevin Smith is averaging 13.8 points and 4.3 rebounds, while Tahj Staveskie is averaging 12.3 points and 1.6 assists. Dylan Arentt is the third double-digit scorer and Je’Shawn Stevenson is dishing 1.1 assists. The Cleveland State Vikings are shooting 33.1 percent from beyond the arc and 71.9 percent from the free throw line. The Cleveland State Vikings are allowing 34.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.1 rebounds per game.
Why the Cleveland State Vikings will win
- Northern Kentucky has lost each of its last six games at Wolstein Center.
- Cleveland State has won each of its last six games against Northern Kentucky at Wolstein Center.
- Northern Kentucky has lost the first half in 14 of its last 16 road games.
Why the Northern Kentucky Norse will win
- Northern Kentucky has won each of its last five games.
- Cleveland State has lost three of its last four night games.
- Northern Kentucky has won the first half in eight of its last nine Conference Tournament games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of Cleveland State’s last nine Conference Tournament games have produced a total of 145+ points.
- Five of Northern Kentucky’s last six games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 153+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Cleveland State ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (15.5).
- Cleveland State ranks 14th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (52.7).
Cleveland State vs Northern Kentucky Injury Report
Neither Cleveland State nor Northern Kentucky have a player listed on its injury report.
Cleveland State vs Northern Kentucky Prediction
Cleveland State and Northern Kentucky split the first two meetings, with the favor winning and covering both games. I’m going to lean toward Northern Kentucky and the points in the rubber match, as the Norse are playing some of their best ball of the season with five straight wins. Northern Kentucky has scored 79 or more points in four of its last five games, and that includes 99 points in a blowout win over Detroit. Cleveland State has fallen off a cliff over the last month or so, and it lacks the pure scoring to keep up if Northern Kentucky keeps lighting it up. Northern Kentucky has a shot to steal this one outright. Give me Northern Kentucky and the points.
