Cleveland State Vikings (9-4) vs Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers (5-4)
Game Info: Friday, January 22, 2021 at 9:00 pm (Wolstein Center)
Betting Odds: Cleveland State Vikings -4.5 -- Over/Under: 131.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Milwaukee Panthers will travel to the Wolstein Center to take on the Cleveland State Vikings this Friday night in College Basketball action.
The Milwaukee Panthers lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 5-4 on the season after being defeated by the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons, 81-74, this past Saturday night. Milwaukee had no answers on the defensive end against Purdue Fort Wayne and could not fight back after the Mastodons took a 62-45 lead with 13:34 left in regulation. Milwaukee shot 45.0% from the field and 26.9% from beyond the arc while Purdue Fort Wayne shot 62.8% from the field and 70.6% from beyond the arc. Milwaukee was outrebounded by Purdue Fort Wayne by a 31-25 margin and committed 13 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Panthers was Tafari Simms who had 24 points, 8 rebounds, & 1 steal.
On the season, Milwaukee is averaging 3.7 ppg on 44.6% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 7.6 three-pointers per game on 33.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Milwaukee has been led by DeAndre Gholston (13.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.2 spg), Te’Jon Lucas (13.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1.2 spg), Josh Thomas (10.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg), & Tafari Simms (9.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg).
Defensively, Milwaukee is allowing their opponents to average 69.8 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of -0.7 and a turnover margin of 3.2.
The Cleveland State Vikings had their 9-game winning streak and dropped to 9-4 on the season after being defeated by the Wright State Raiders, 85-49, this past Saturday night. Cleveland State was able to upset Wright State the night before, however, the Vikings struggled on both ends of the court in this one and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 42-22 margin. Cleveland State shot just 27.9% from the field and 21.4% from beyond the arc while Wright State shot 37.5% from the field and 29.4% from beyond the arc. Cleveland State was outrebounded by Wright State by a 50-38 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 19-14 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Vikings was Yahel Hill who had 11 points & 3 rebounds.
On the season, Cleveland State is averaging 66.1 ppg on 42.3% shooting from the field. The Vikings are averaging 6.0 three-pointers per game on 30.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Cleveland State has been led by Torrey Patton (11.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 spg), D’Moi Hodge (11.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.1 spg), Tre Gomillion (8.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 2.0 apg), Craig Beaudion (7.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.2 spg).
Defensively, Cleveland State is allowing their opponents to average 69.0 ppg on 41.0% shooting from the field. The Vikings have a rebound margin of -2.2 and a turnover margin of 0.5.
The Panthers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Vikings are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 home games and 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
Milwaukee has lost 3 of their last 5 games and has been nothing more than an average team on both sides of the ball as the Panthers come into this game ranked 145th in scoring offense, 163rd in scoring defense, & 252nd in defensive FG%. Cleveland State could not keep their winning streak alive against Wright State, however, the Vikings have been very success defensively this season and as they come into this game with a perfect 4-0 home record, I think Cleveland State bounces back in this one and does enough to cover this spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Cleveland State Vikings -4.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05