The Oakland Golden Grizzlies (19-13, 11-8 Hor) take on the Cleveland State Vikings (11-22, 8-12 Hor) in the Horizon Conference Tourney at Little Caesars Arena. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 5, 2018.
Oakland opened as a 9-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 150 points.
Cleveland State Vikings vs. Oakland Golden Grizzlies Free Prediction
The Vikings come in on a high note after topping the Northern Kentucky Norse in their last matchup, 89-80. The Vikings had a solid turnover percentage of 10.0 (better than their season average of 17.4) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.561 (above their season average of 0.511). Cleveland State received a boost from Tyree Appleby, who was the team’s high scorer with 24 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
In the Golden Grizzlies’ last matchup, they were victorious over the IUPUI Jaguars, 62-55. Oakland’s 15.5 turnover percentage was their largest strength over IUPUI, who had a mark of 19.6. The Golden Grizzlies’ mark was better than their season average of 16.0, while the Jaguars’ was above the 14.7 mark opponents have averaged against Oakland this season. Kendrick Nunn was the game’s high scorer with 18 points on 6-for-20 shooting.
It will be a matchup of contrasting styles as the up-tempo Golden Grizzlies (ranked 50th in the NCAA in possessions per game) will look to push the more methodical Vikings (205th in possessions per game).
Cleveland State holds records of 11-22 straight up (SU) and 16-12-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when predicting totals of Vikings games, with 14 overs compared to 14 unders.
Meanwhile, Oakland owns records of 19-13 SU and 8-21 ATS. Vegas is known to set the total high when the Golden Grizzlies are involved, as 17 of their 30 games have finished under the O/U total.
The Golden Grizzlies have won both games against the Vikings this season, including an 82-66 victory in their last matchup. Oakland covered as a 5-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 148 points, which was just 2.5 points below the projected point total of 150.5 points. The Golden Grizzlies had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (48.1 vs. 15.2) and had a much better free throw rate (0.321 vs. 0.182). Jalen Hayes was the game’s top overall scorer with 24 points.
Cleveland State Vikings vs. Oakland Golden Grizzlies Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Oakland, ATS Winner – Oakland, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Oakland averages 17.1 assists per game, which ranks 11th in the NCAA. Cleveland State ranks 246th in assists allowed per game (15.4).
The Golden Grizzlies rank 36th in three pointers allowed per game (19.2) while the Vikings rank 208th (23.1).
Oakland ranks 108th in rebounds per game (36.2) while Cleveland State ranks 278th (30.2).
The Golden Grizzlies rank 17th in blocks per game (5.1) while the Vikings rank 181st (2.6).
Cleveland State ranks 40th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while Oakland ranks 201st (7.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland State is 4-1 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
Oakland is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Vikings’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.0, down from 5.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Golden Grizzlies have scored an average of 74.6 points per game (4.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (5.0 below their season average).
