The Cleveland State Vikings, with an impressive record of 17-6 overall and 11-1 in the Horizon League, are set to face off against the Northern Kentucky Norse, who currently stand at 10-13 overall and 5-7 in conference play. This exciting matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST in Highland Heights, Kentucky, and promises to offer thrilling sports action.
Home Court Advantage
Northern Kentucky will be leveraging their home court advantage, having secured an 8-5 record in their territory this season. The team excels in offensive rebounding, ranking sixth in the Horizon League by pulling down an average of 10.0 offensive boards per game. A significant contributor to this success is Keeyan Itejere, who averages 2.4 offensive rebounds per game.
Vikings' Path to Victory
The Vikings, renowned for their shooting prowess, maintain a 33.7% success rate from beyond the arc, placing them fifth in the Horizon League for three-point shooting. Despite these strengths, Cleveland State must address their defense as they allow opponents the same 41.9% shooting accuracy from the field that Northern Kentucky averages this season.
Generating an average of 6.6 made three-pointers per game, Cleveland State falls slightly short compared to Northern Kentucky's allowance of 8.7 shots from downtown per game. This gap highlights a potential focus area for Cleveland State as they prepare for this pivotal meeting.
Key Players to Watch
For the Norse, Trey Robinson is a standout, boasting an average of 14.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game. Another essential player for Northern Kentucky is Josh Dilling, who has been on a hot streak, averaging 2.7 made three-pointers over the past ten games.
On the other side, Cleveland State’s Tevin Smith consistently contributes with 14.1 points per game, alongside 4.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists. Tahj Staveskie also plays a vital role, averaging 13.3 points per game and shooting at 37.3% over the last ten games.
Team Performance Statistics
Analyzing their momentum over the last ten games, Northern Kentucky has struggled, posting a 3-7 record with an average of 68.2 points per game. Their performance includes 30.9 rebounds, 13.1 assists, 6.9 steals, and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 39.8% from the field. In contrast, their opponents have been scoring an average of 74.1 points in the same period.
Conversely, Cleveland State has been on a roll, emerging victorious in their last ten games with an average score of 78.4 points. The Vikings have successfully secured 33.8 rebounds, dished out 16.6 assists, and tallied 7.9 steals per game, all while maintaining a striking 47.7% field-goal percentage. Additionally, they've managed to restrict their opponents to just 62 points on average.
With Cleveland State's current form and statistical superiority, the upcoming game against Northern Kentucky promises to be an intriguing contest, rich with tactical battles and standout performances. Both teams will no doubt be eager to assert their dominance as they chase their respective Horizon League objectives.