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Cleveland State vs Detroit Mercy Prediction 1/11/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Cleveland State Vikings Detroit Mercy Titans
Team Records 5-13 7-9
Where Calihan Hall, Detroit, MI
When Sunday, January 11, 2026
Time 01:00 PM EST
TV ESPN+

The Cleveland State Vikings and the Detroit Titans meet Sunday in college basketball action from Calihan Hall. Here’s a Cleveland State vs Detroit prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Cleveland State vs Detroit pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.

Cleveland State Vikings Betting Preview

The Vikings opened the season on a pretty rough 3-8 run, taking losses to Loyola Chicago, Northwestern, Kent State (twice), Valparaiso, Missouri, Northern Kentucky and Detroit along the way. The next five games were a 2-3 run with losses to UAB, Milwaukee and Fort Wayne among wins over Oakland City and IUPUI, giving the Vikings a 5-11 record across their first 16 games of the year.

In their Friday matchup versus Oakland the Vikings were down 45-27 by the end of the first half. Cleveland State couldn’t get any closer than that in the second on a 52-45 run and took the loss in the end 97-72. Leading the team in scoring during the defeat was Dayan Nessah with 16 points and three boards. Priest Ryan had 15 points with six rebounds and four assists.

Detroit Titans Betting Preview

Over on the Detroit side, they managed to go just 1-6 in their first seven games this year. The lone win in that time was versus Cleary University. The next seven outings were a 5-2 run however, as the Titans toppled Niagara, IUPUI, Cleveland State, Siena Heights and Youngstown State alongside losses to Fort Wayne and Robert Morris. Through 14 games Detroit had a 6-8 record overall.

Matched up against Wright State on Friday the Titans were in trouble at the break on a 44-33 deficit. Detroit got better in the second half with a 49-40 run but couldn’t make the comeback in the end during an 84-82 loss. Legend Geeter put up 22 points with six rebounds, and Tyler Spratt had 16 points with six boards. Orlando Lovejoy added 13 points with four rebounds and three assists.

Cleveland State Vikings @ Detroit Mercy Titans Betting Trends: January 11, 2026

Why the Detroit Mercy Titans will win

  • Cleveland State has lost each of its last 10 road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
  • The home team has won each of Cleveland State’s last three games.
  • Detroit Mercy has won the first half in five of its last six home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Cleveland State Vikings will win

  • Detroit Mercy has lost each of its last six games at Calihan Hall following a home loss.
  • Cleveland State has won four of its last five games against Detroit Mercy.
  • Cleveland State has won the first half in five of its last six road day games against Conference opponents.

Cleveland State vs Detroit Prediction

I’ll go with Detroit, but I’m probably avoiding this one. The Titans got themselves into trouble early during their two-point loss to Wright State on Friday. Detroit shot 46.7 percent from the field with a 31-24 rebounding edge in that one, but also hit just three of 14 (21.4 percent) 3-point shots and gave up 51.9 percent shooting on the other side. The Titans have lost consecutive games now, giving up a combined 169 points in that pair.

These teams saw each other fairly recently in a 71-59 road win for the Titans back on December 6. Detroit shot 44.8 percent from the field with a 32-18 advantage in the paint and only six turnovers while holding the Vikings to just 31 percent shooting on the other side. The Titans did get out-rebounded pretty badly 37-28, but playing at home in the rematch should help their fortunes in most aspects.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Detroit Titans -7.5

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