Cleveland State Vikings vs Youngstown State Penguins Picks and Predictions for Wednesday February 18 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 02/18/2026, 02:20 AM ET

The Cleveland State Vikings travel to face the Youngstown State Penguins on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Beeghly Center in Youngstown, Ohio. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 PM ET, and the game will be streamed on ESPN+. At the time of this writing, the moneyline, total, and spread have not been released. As always, make sure to check out our latest free college basketball picks for more insights and betting angles on today’s board.

Cleveland State’s High-Scoring Offense Meets Defensive Concerns

Cleveland State enters this matchup with a 10-17 overall record and a 6-10 mark in Horizon League play. The Vikings have struggled recently, dropping three of their last five games. They recently lost to Wright State, Robert Morris, and IU Indy, but picked up wins over Oakland and Milwaukee during that stretch. In conference play, they’ve been competitive at times but inconsistent on both ends of the floor.

Offensively, Cleveland State averages an impressive 80.3 points per game. They shoot 46% from the field and average 15.7 assists per contest, showing solid ball movement and scoring ability. However, their aggressive offensive style can sometimes leave them exposed defensively.

The biggest issue for Cleveland State has been defense. They allow 84.9 points per game, one of the higher marks in their conference. While they do average 2.9 blocks and 5.4 steals per game, they often struggle to get key stops late in games. If they cannot tighten up defensively, they may once again find themselves in a high-scoring shootout.

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Youngstown State’s Balanced Approach at Home

Youngstown State comes into this game at 13-14 overall and 6-10 in Horizon League action. The Penguins have been more balanced recently, going 3-2 in their last five games. They earned wins over Oakland, Purdue Fort Wayne, and IU Indy, while dropping contests to Detroit Mercy and Robert Morris.

The Penguins average 78.0 points per game while allowing 72.9. Like Cleveland State, they shoot 46% from the field, but their defensive numbers are significantly better. Youngstown State also averages 34.2 rebounds and 14.4 assists per contest, showing solid team play.

Defensively, the Penguins generate 7.0 steals and 3.7 blocks per game. Their ability to force turnovers and contest shots gives them an edge in matchups against high-scoring but defensively vulnerable teams. Playing at home, they have shown the ability to control tempo and limit opponents’ second-chance opportunities.

Cleveland State Vikings vs Youngstown State Penguins Pick

Youngstown State Penguins Moneyline

Youngstown State has the defensive advantage in this matchup and plays at home. Cleveland State’s offensive numbers are strong, but allowing nearly 85 points per game is a major concern. The Penguins’ ability to force turnovers and play more controlled basketball should help them secure the win.

Cleveland State Vikings vs Youngstown State Penguins Total Pick

Over

I’m leaning toward the over in this matchup. Cleveland State consistently pushes the pace, and their defensive struggles tend to inflate totals. Even though Youngstown State plays more balanced basketball, the Vikings’ style often turns games into track meets.

Final Score Prediction: Youngstown State 86, Cleveland State 81

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