Wisconsin-Milwaukee vs Youngstown State 12/2/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Youngstown State Penguins will travel to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena to take on the Milwaukee Panthers this Thursday night in College Basketball action.

The Youngstown State Penguins lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 2-3 on the season after being defeated by the Niagara Purple Eagles, 58-53, this past Sunday. Youngstown State struggled on the offensive end and allowed Niagara to pull off the victory after closing out the final 1:54 of regulation on a 9-4 run. Youngstown State shot 33.3% from the field & 16.7% from beyond the arc while allowing Niagara to shoot 39.2% from the field & 27.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Penguins was Shemar Rathan-Mayes who had 12 points & 2 rebounds.

On the season, Youngstown State is averaging 70.8 ppg on 45.1% shooting from the field. The Penguins are averaging 6.8 three-pointers per game on 32.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Youngstown State has been led by Michael Akuchie (16.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.4 apg), Tevin Olison (11.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.0 bpg), Garrett Covington (10.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg), & Dwayne Cohill (7.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, Youngstown State is allowing their opponents to an average of 71.2 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Penguins have a rebound margin of -0.6 and a turnover margin of 1.0.

The Milwaukee Panthers lost their 5^th straight game and dropped to 1-5 on the season after being defeated by the Alcorn State Braves, 61-57, this past Sunday. Milwaukee struggled offensively against Alcorn State and could not fight back after the Braves took a 52-43 lead with 5:18 left in regulation. Milwaukee shot 38.5% from the field & 17.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Alcorn State to shoot 37.5% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Panthers was Joey St. Pierre who had 13 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, & 2 blocks.

On the season, Milwaukee is averaging 62.0 ppg on 39.1% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 6.2 three-pointers per game on 28.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Milwaukee has been led by Patrick Baldwin Jr. (15.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.0 bpg), DeAndre Gholston (15.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg), Donovan Newby (9.0 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.7 spg), & Josh Thomas (7.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.0 apg). Patrick Baldwin Jr. has missed the Panthers last two games due to a sprained ankle and is questionable for this matchup.

Defensively, Milwaukee is allowing their opponents to an average of 71.7 ppg on 39.0% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of -5.2 and a turnover margin of -3.7.

The Penguins are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, however, are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. The Panthers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games overall & 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss.

Milwaukee is missing their best player in Patrick Baldwin Jr and come into this game with just a 1-5 record, however, this is still a team that has been solid defensively, ranking 68^th in defensive FG%, and was competitive in recent losses against Alcorn & Yale. Youngstown State has struggled on both ends of the court this season, ranking just 205^th in scoring offense & 233^rd in scoring defense and as I expect the Penguins to continue to struggle on the road in this one, I’m taking Milwaukee to cover this midrange home spread. Good Luck!