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Cleveland State vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee Prediction and Odds (Back the Over Regardless of Baldwin's Status)

By Ben Heisler

UW-Milwaukee guard Patrick Baldwin Jr. may not be available for the Panthers tonight at home against Horizon League leader Cleveland State.
UW-Milwaukee guard Patrick Baldwin Jr. may not be available for the Panthers tonight at home against Horizon League leader Cleveland State. / MARK HOFFMAN/MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
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After recruiting five-star forward Patrick Baldwin to UW-Milwaukee to play for his father Pat, the Panthers' high expectations have completely fallen flat.

A win against the No. 1 team in the Horizon League, the Cleveland State Vikings could help propel the Panthers in the right direction, especially considering the Panthers are riding a two-game win streak in conference play and the Vikings come off a triple- overtime road loss on Monday

Baldwin remains questionable as this writing to play, but could the Panthers take advantage of a tired Cleveland State team that's lost two of three?

Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Cleveland State vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Cleveland State -6.5 (-110)
  • Wisconsin-Milwaukee +6.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Cleveland State -270
  • Wisconsin-Milwaukee +220

Total:

  • 138.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Cleveland State vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee Prediction and Pick

There's been slight movement towards the over at WynnBET, with the original line coming in at 137.5 consensus.

I think the move to the over is the right side and that's where I lean even if Baldwin is declared out again for tonight. He just hasn't been the difference maker everyone thought he would be, as UW Milwaukee's guards have really struggled to find any sort of consistency and create open looks.

UW-Milwaukee has won their last two games thanks to a much improved effort on the defensive side of the ball, but I don't think it's sustainable against a very impressive Vikings offense that hasn't scored less than their season average of 70 points since January 21st in a three-point win over Youngstown State.

Cleveland State will dominate inside with their ability to shoot well inside (55.5%), as well as own the glass on Milwaukee who struggles to grab extra possessions off of missed shots.

While the triple-overtime loss to Purdue Fort Wayne stings, it also came at the very beginning of the week; giving them plenty of time to rest up and recover before their second straight game on the road. Cleveland State hasn't lost back-to-back games since the beginning of the season. Despite a 2-3-0 record vs. the spread after a loss, their margin of victory in those games still comes out to 11.3 points via TeamRankings.

LEAN: OVER 138.5 (-110)

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