Northern Kentucky vs. Cleveland State Picks and Prediction for Wednesday, February 25 2026
Use Code WWWC Horizon League action involving one team stuck in the middle and the other near the bottom in this Northern Kentucky vs. Cleveland State prediction. These teams met in a very early conference game on Dec. 3 with the Norse taking the Vikings at home 95-80 as a 13.5-point favorite. Northern Kentucky (17-12, 9-9 HL) has won three of its last four games. Cleveland State (10-19, 6-12 HL) is struggling mightily, having lost five straight games after winning five straight. Check out more free College Basketball predictions and NBA picks at Winners and Whiners.
Norse's streak ends at three
Northern Kentucky won three straight games before losing at Youngstown State on Sunday, 64-58 as a 1.5-point dog. The Penguins were up by as many as 20 points, but a Norse comeback wasn't enough to complete the task. Donovan Oday led the Norse with 18 points, but shot just 6 of 23 from the field and 4 of 15 from three-point range, with four turnovers. Youngstown State shot 42% from the field and committed 17 turnovers, but Northern Kentucky had 18 turnovers and shot just 29% from the field in an ugly affair.
Oday is a 6-2 guard from Cal State Fullerton, who leads the Norse with 18.5 points per game and 2.1 steals, while shooting 48.3% from the field and 29.6% from three-point range. Dan Gherezgher Jr. adds 15.8 points per game and shoots 41.6% from the field and 35.7% from three-point range. On KenPom, Northern Kentucky ranks 186th overall, 208th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 165th in Adjusted Defense. The Norse rank 135th in assist-to-turnover ratio and 235th in total rebounding percentage.
Vikings looking for second win in February
Cleveland State last won a game on February 4, when they downed Oakland 91-78 as a 7.5-point home dog. Since then, the Vikings have lost five straight games, which includes a 92-86 loss to IPFW on Sunday as a 3.5-point home dog. Fort Wayne shot 54% from the field and 45% (15-of-33) from three-point range. The Vikings shot well enough to win (41% 3pt), but turned the ball over 13 times and didn't do the job on the defensive end. Ice Emery led the Vikings with 21 points, while Jaidon Lipscomb added 20 points, but turned the ball over four times.
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Dayan Nessah, a 6-7 transfer from GW, leads the Vikings in scoring with 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds, while shooting 55.3% from the field. Tre Beard adds 13.3 points and shoots 42.2% from three-point range. The defense is their Achilles' heel, as they rank 357th in points per game (85.9 ppg) and 333rd in field goal defense (47.3%). On KenPom, Cleveland State ranks 313th overall, 14th in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 363rd in Adjusted Defense. The Vikings also rank 333rd in total rebounding percentage and 177th in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Spread Pick and Prediction for Northern Kentucky vs. Cleveland State
Northern Kentucky vs. Cleveland State prediction and picks
- Cleveland State +7 (4 units)
It's hard to go with a team that has covered just once in their last nine games. Northern Kentucky could win this game, but won't cover. Before their three-game winning streak pre-Youngstown State, the Norse had lost five straight games. They are also 0-6 ATS in their last six road games. For all their defensive liabilities, Cleveland State shoots 46.3% from the field and 38% from three-point range to rank 23rd in the nation. Northern Kentucky doesn't defend the three well (35.3% overall and 38% on the road). The Vikings will take advantage and don't be surprised if they win this game outright.
- Over 162.5 (4 units)
The first game went well over the total and this time, the Vikings want to push the pace as much as possible (71st) against a Norse team (62nd) that also likes to run. These teams have also played overs in five of the last six meetings. Cleveland State has gone over in three straight. They are also 5-2 Over in their last 7 home games and 10 of their last 13 games overall.
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