Youngstown State vs Cleveland State Picks and Prediction – 3/11/2025

The Youngstown State Penguins come into Monday for a Horizon League Championship semifinal matchup against the Cleveland State Vikings. Youngstown State has twenty wins and 12 losses this season having won three of the last five overall following the five point victory in their last outing. The Penguins offense averages 77 points on 43.8 %from the floor of the season. Defensively Youngstown State has been mediocre allowing 22 points per game but give up only 67 points in their most recent victory. Stay in the action with our College Basketball Picks.

EJ Farmer leads the Youngstown State offense this season averaging 15.1 points per game. Juwan Maxey is third on the team averaging 11.1 points and Ty Harper is the fourth player on the team in double digits averaging 10.4 points per game.  Nico Galette averages 12.7 points and leads Youngstown State pulling in 7.2 rebounds to go along with the team leading 3 assists per game.

The Cleveland State Vikings come into Monday with 21 wins and 11 losses as the number two team in the Horizon League having won three of the last five including two in a row after a 5 point victory last time out. Offensively Cleveland state average 73.4 points on 45.1% shooter for the floor. Defensively the Vikings have been solid holding opponents to 66.3 points per game this season but have given up an average of 60 points per game during their two game-winning streak.

Tevin Smith leads the Cleveland State offense this season averaging 13.8 points per game. Tahj Staveskie averages 12.1 points and big man Dylan Arnett is averaging 11.5 points and leads the team pulling in 7.4 rebounds per game. Ebrima Dibba averages 3.5 points and boasts a team high 4.1 assists this season for Cleveland State.

Both teams come into Monday having had good seasons as each have put together a 20 win campaign. Look for the Vikings however to do the work on both sides of the ball to get it done. Cleveland State has the stronger defense that will lead them to the win. Take the Vikings Monday to do the work leading to the win and cover. Final Score Prediction, Cleveland State Vikings win and cover 74-63.