The Cleveland State Vikings (3-7) will try to snap their six-game road losing streak in a matchup against the No. 20 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-2) at BB&T Arena. The game will air on ESPN 3 at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017.
Cincinnati opened as a 28-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 133.5 points.
Cleveland State Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Free Prediction
The last time the Vikings played, they were defeated by the Niagara Purple Eagles, 79-77. Niagara was effective at getting to and converting from the free throw line. The Purple Eagles made 20 of their 25 free throws (80.0 percent), while the Vikings were just 8-12 (66.7 percent). Cleveland State’s Kenny Carpenter played well, finishing with 16 points and six rebounds.
The Bearcats won big over the UAPB Golden Lions in their last matchup, 77-49. The Bearcats held the Golden Lions to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.6 (below the 28.0 mark opponents have averaged against Cincinnati this season) and had a free throw rate of 0.345 (above their season average of 0.252). With 12 points and seven rebounds, Jacob Evans III had a good performance for Cincinnati.
Cincinnati could dominate the offensive glass in this matchup. The Bearcats rank 13th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.9 percent), while Cleveland State ranks 311th in defensive rebounding percentage (67.4 percent) dating back to last season. Moreover, the Vikings rank 313th in offensive efficiency (97.1), while the Bearcats rank fifth in defensive efficiency (92.6).
Cleveland State has a respectable record against the spread (4-3), despite being 3-7 straight up (SU). Vikings games tend to finish under the total (57.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Cincinnati owns records of 7-2 SU and 5-4 ATS. Games involving the Bearcats also have typically finished under the total (75.0 percent).
Cleveland State Vikings at Cincinnati Bearcats Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cincinnati, ATS Winner – Cleveland State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Cincinnati averages 37.8 rebounds per game, which ranks 13th in the nation. Cleveland State ranks 233rd in rebounds allowed per game (37.9).
The Bearcats rank 23rd in assists per game (16.0) while the Vikings rank 170th (11.1).
Cincinnati averages 21.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 120th in the NCAA. Cleveland State ranks 222nd in three pointers allowed per game (20.9).
The Bearcats rank fifth in blocks per game (5.3) while the Vikings rank 103rd (3.1).
Both of these teams are exceptional at stealing the ball. Cincinnati is 23rd in the NCAA with 7.5 steals per game while Cleveland State is 45th with 7.3 steals per game.
