In their final home game of the season, the Northern Kentucky Norse (19-8, 12-3 Hor) host the Youngstown State Penguins (8-21, 6-10 Hor) at BB&T Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, February 19, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 153.5 points with Northern Kentucky opening as a 17-point favorite.
Youngstown State Penguins vs. Northern Kentucky Norse Free Prediction
The Penguins are trying to rebound after their 94-84 loss to the Detroit Titans in their last contest. Detroit’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Youngstown State. The Titans had a rate of 9.5 (better than their season average of 16.5), while the Penguins posted a mark of 17.3. Youngstown State’s Naz Bohannon played well, recording 11 points and 10 rebounds.
In the Norse’s last game, they lost a tough one against the Wright State Raiders, 69-67. Wright State’s 11.4 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Northern Kentucky, who had a rate of 17.0. The Raiders’ mark was better than their season average of 17.2. Northern Kentucky’s Drew McDonald put up 12 points and 12 rebounds in the game.
Northern Kentucky could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their high-powered offense squares off against one of the nation’s worst defenses. The Norse rank 48th in offensive efficiency, while Youngstown State ranks 322nd in defensive efficiency.
Youngstown State comes into the contest with records of 8-21 straight up (SU) and 12-14 against the spread (ATS). Games involving the Penguins have a slight tendency to go over the O/U total (53.8 percent).
Meanwhile, Northern Kentucky owns records of 19-8 SU and 14-10 ATS. Of the Norse’s 24 games with betting action, 15 have finished under the O/U total.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, McDonald scored a game-high 26 points and the Norse topped the Penguins 95-85 but could not cover as 11-point favorites. He also recorded 16 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 180 points, which was 29.5 points above the projected point total of 150.5 points. Northern Kentucky did an excellent job of making free throws (17-22; 77.3 percent). Youngstown State, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (30.0 vs. 17.4).
Youngstown State Penguins vs. Northern Kentucky Norse Pick
Free Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Northern Kentucky, ATS Winner – Northern Kentucky, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
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 NCAA. Youngstown State ranks 256th in assists allowed per game (16.4).
The Norse average 7.4 steals per game, which ranks 43rd in the NCAA. The Penguins rank 174th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
Northern Kentucky averages 3.3 blocks per game, which ranks 121st in the NCAA. Youngstown State ranks 188th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
The Norse average 36.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 104th in the NCAA. The Penguins rank 148th in rebounds allowed per game (34.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Youngstown State is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Northern Kentucky is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Penguins’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.0, up from 7.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Norse have scored an average of 76.0 points per game (2.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.4 points per game (3.5 above their season average).
