Cleveland State Vikings (18-7) vs Oakland Golden Grizzlies (12-17)
Game Info: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Indiana Farmers Coliseum)
Betting Odds: Cleveland State Vikings -2.5 -- Over/Under: 139.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Oakland Golden Grizzlies and Cleveland State Vikings will square off at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in the Horizon League Championship this Tuesday night.
The 3-seed Oakland Golden Grizzlies (12-17) advanced to the Horizon League Championship after defeating the 4-seed Northern Kentucky Norse, 69-58, on Monday night. Oakland was outstanding on the defensive end against Northern Kentucky and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 59-42 lead with 7:16 left in regulation. Oakland shot 44.8% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc while Northern Kentucky shot 33.3% from the field and 23.3% from beyond the arc. Oakland was outrebounded by Northern Kentucky by a 44-36 margin, however, won the turnover battle by a 9-4 record. Leading the way for the Golden Grizzlies was Daniel Oladapo who had 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 steal.
On the season, Oakland is averaging 74.9 ppg on 41.9% shooting from the field. The Golden Grizzlies are averaging 8.6 three-pointers per game on 33.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Oakland has been led by Jalen Moore (17.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 8.4 apg, 1.7 spg), Rashad Williams (13.6 ppg, 1.5 rpg), Daniel Oladapo (13.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 spg), & Terry Townsend (8.5 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1.4 spg).
Defensively, Oakland is allowing their opponents to average 81.2 ppg on 47.3% shooting from the field. The Golden Grizzlies have a rebound margin of -3.8 and a turnover margin of 0.9.
The 1-seed Cleveland State Vikings (18-7) advanced to the Horizon League Championship after defeating the 8-seed Milwaukee Panthers, 71-65, on Monday night. Cleveland State struggled in the 1st half and trailed by a 30-24 margin at halftime, however, the Vikings offense was solid down the stretch and was able to get the come from behind victory after closing out the final 1:56 left in regulation on a 10-1 run. Cleveland State shot 45.3% from the field and 47.1% from beyond the arc while Milwaukee shot 39.1% from the field and 17.6% from beyond the arc. Cleveland State was outrebounded by Milwaukee by a 41-36 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 12-8 margin. Leading the way for the Vikings was Torrey Patton who had 14 points, 13 rebounds, & 5 assits.
On the season, Cleveland State is averaging 71.1 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Vikings are averaging 6.5 three-pointers per game on 32.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Cleveland State has been led by Torrey Patton (14.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.0 spg), D’Moi Hodge (10.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.7 spg), Tre Gomillion (10.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.4 apg), & Craig Beaudion (9.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.2 spg).
Defensively, Cleveland State is allowing their opponents to average 70.6 ppg on 42.6% shooting from the field. The Vikings have a rebound margin of -0.4 and a turnover margin of 0.8.
The Golden Grizzlies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games as an underdog. The Vikings are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 neutral stie games and 16-6-1 ATS in their last 23 games overall.
Cleveland State earned the top-seed in the Horizon League Championship, however, the Vikings have not looked overly strong in their previous two wins as they needed triple-OT to beat Purdue Fort Wayne and needed a late comeback against Milwaukee. Oakland has won 4 of their last 5 games and certainly has an offense that can do some damage as the Golden Grizzlies come into this game ranked 88th in scoring offense & 59th in three-pointers made per game. Oakland lost to Cleveland State in both matchups this season, however, I like what I have seen from Oakland as of late and as I think Jalen Moore & Rashad Williams will have a big game, I think the play here is to take the Golden Grizzlies and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Oakland Golden Grizzlies +2.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05