Cleveland St. Vikings vs
IPFW MastodonsPredictions & Preview

Cleveland State Vikings to Face Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons in Crucial Horizon League Showdown with National Broadcast on ESPNU

The Cleveland State Vikings and Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons are poised to meet in a crucial Horizon League matchup on January 30, 2025. The game will be nationally broadcast on ESPNU from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Both teams are currently at the top of the Horizon League standings, with Cleveland State aiming to keep their lead and Purdue Fort Wayne eager to close the gap. IPFW is favored to win by 4.5 points in this highly anticipated contest between two strong teams in the conference.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Vikings +170 | Mastodons -200
• Spread: Vikings +4.5 (-110) | Mastodons -4.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 148.75 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that IPFW will win straight-up is 67%.

Cleveland St. vs IPFW Stats

Cleveland St. Vikings

The Cleveland State Vikings are currently dominating the Horizon League with a 10-1 conference record and 16-6 overall. Their success can be attributed to a balanced scoring attack and strong defensive play. The team is rated 164th overall by KenPom, with a defensive rating of 130th. Three players are averaging double figures in points, led by Tevin Smith with 14 ppg. In their recent victory over Green Bay, Chase Robinson led the team with 17 points, with Tevin Smith and others contributing to the win. The Vikings excel offensively, hitting 45.30% of their field goals and 72.97% of their free throws. Defensively, they allow an average of 42.28% field goals and 69.70% free throws. The team is also strong in rebounding, assists, and steals. Overall, Cleveland State is a force to be reckoned with in the Horizon League.

IPFW Mastodons Analysis

The Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons have had an impressive season, currently holding the second spot in the Horizon League with an 8-3 conference record and 15-7 overall. Led by a potent offense, the trio of Jalen Jackson, Rasheed Bello, and Corey Hadnot II combine to average over 45 points per game. Jackson leads the league with an average of 20.4 points per game. Under the guidance of head coach Jon Coffman, the Mastodons have been dominant at home, boasting an undefeated 9-0 record in their arena. With a KenPom rating of 133 and a power ranking of 68, the Mastodons excel offensively, ranking 19th in the nation, scoring an average of 83.76 points per game. Defensively, they allow an average of 74.71 points per game. The Mastodons have strong shooting percentages, hitting an average of 48.12% of their field goals, 76.75% of their free throws, and 39.42% of their three-pointers. On defense, they allow 46.75% of field goals, 74.04% of free throws, and 33.79% of three-pointers. Despite some defensive weaknesses, the Mastodons have performed well this season and are a force to be reckoned with in the Horizon League.

Cleveland State Vikings Dominate IPFW in Recent Matchups, Expected to Cover Spread

The Cleveland State Vikings have demonstrated impressive performance in their recent matchups against IPFW, securing victory in their last two games as an underdog on the road. Despite IPFW's strong offensive capabilities, their defensive record places them at third-worst in the conference. In comparison, while the Vikings may not excel in offensive efficiency, their proficiency in creating turnovers and dominating the boards indicates a promising outcome for them in this upcoming game. Cleveland State maintains a favorable +0.7 rebounding margin in conference games, while IPFW has consistently struggled with a deficit of 7.5 boards per game in Horizon League contests. Anticipated to be a thrilling match, my prediction leans towards Cleveland State covering the spread.

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