IU Indianapolis vs Cleveland State Picks and Prediction – 1/4/2025

On Saturday, the IU Indianapolis Jaguars (5-11) face off against the Cleveland State Vikings (9-6) at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Get ready for the college basketball season with our college basketball picks.

Cleveland State comes into this matchup on a five-game winning streak. In a decisive 78-64 victory over Wright State, the Cleveland State Vikings were propelled by Chase Robinson's impressive 16-point performance. This season, Tevin Smith has been the standout scorer for the team, maintaining an average of 14 points per game. Close behind him is Tahj Staveskie, who contributes an average of 10.3 points per game. On the boards, Dylan Arnett has been leading with an average of 7.9 rebounds each game, showcasing his ability to control the paint. In terms of playmaking, Ebrima Dibba stands out as the team's top facilitator, averaging 4 assists per game. During their ongoing five-game winning streak, the Vikings have been particularly potent on offense, scoring an impressive average of 94.4 points per game. As they aim to stretch their winning streak to six games, they are also seeking their fourth win in five conference matchups. Overall, Cleveland State has been consistent in putting up points, with an overall average of 74.5 points scored per game this season.

IU Indianapolis enters this game on a six-game losing streak. In their recent 77-61 defeat against Youngstown State, Paul Zilinskas emerged as the top scorer for the Jaguars with 19 points. This performance is in line with his role as the leading scorer for IU Indianapolis this season, where he averages an impressive 18.7 points per game. Following closely behind him is Jarvis Walker, who secures the position of the team's second-highest scorer with an average of 16.1 points per game. On the defensive side, Sean Craig has been pivotal for the Jaguars by averaging 8.3 rebounds per game, making him the team's leading rebounder. Meanwhile, Alec Millender has been the playmaker for the squad, managing to lead in assists with an average of 3.7 assists per game. Throughout their last five games, IU Indianapolis has struggled defensively, allowing opponents to score an average of 79.8 points. As the team prepares to face the in-form Cleveland State Vikings on the road, they aim to end a challenging six-game losing streak. Overall, the Jaguars have been putting up an average of 75.7 points per game this season.

Cleveland State has showcased impressive performance at home, securing victories in seven out of their last nine games, largely thanks to the strength and effectiveness of their offensive lineup. On the other hand, IU Indianapolis has been struggling, losing six out of their last seven games. A significant factor in their recent poor performance has been their defense, which has consistently underperformed. Both teams are on completely different trajectories with the home team on the right one. Final Score Prediction, Cleveland State Vikings win 78-61.