The No. 23 Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0) meet the Cleveland State Vikings (2-3) at St. John Arena. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23, 2018.
Cleveland State Vikings vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Free Prediction
The Vikings are trying to rebound after their 73-60 loss to the Samford Bulldogs in their last outing. Samford made eight of their 20 three pointers (40.0 percent). Cleveland State, on the other hand, was 6-28 (21.4 percent). Stefan Kenic was Cleveland State’s leading scorer with 15 points on 3-for-8 shooting.
In the Buckeyes’ last game, they easily got past the Samford Bulldogs, 68-50. The Buckeyes had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.365 (above their season average of 0.349) and held the Bulldogs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.7 (below their season average of 29.7). Kaleb Wesson was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field.
The productive offense of Ohio State will square off against the porous defense of Cleveland State. Dating back to the 2017-18 season, the Buckeyes rank 44th in offensive efficiency, while the Vikings are 289th in defensive efficiency. The Buckeyes figure to have the edge on that side of the ball. Additionally, the Vikings, who rank 328th in offensive rebounding percentage (23.3 percent), could struggle to get put-back points against the Buckeyes, who rank 59th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.3 percent).
Cleveland State Vikings vs. Ohio State Buckeyes Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Ohio State, ATS Winner – Cleveland State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Ohio State ranks 29th in rebounds allowed per game (31.7) while Cleveland State ranks 298th (38.3).
The Buckeyes rank 39th in assists allowed per game (11.4) while the Vikings rank 278th (15.0).
Cleveland State ranks 65th in three pointers attempted per game (24.7) while Ohio State ranks 245th (20.2).
The Buckeyes rank 97th in blocks per game (3.8) while the Vikings rank 233rd (2.6).
Ohio State is 15th in the nation with 4.9 steals allowed per game while Cleveland State is 43rd with 5.3 steals allowed per game.
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