Chicago State Cougars vs Youngstown State Penguins Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Youngstown State vs Chicago State NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Chicago.

Youngstown State vs Chicago State Prediction

Betting on today's Penguins and Cougars game? Catch the action at Jones Convocation Center in Chicago, IL, as the Cougars hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. Youngstown State is favored by -4.5 in this non-conference showdown. The game's over/under is currently at 147.5 points.

Youngstown State vs. Chicago State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Youngstown State Penguins at Chicago State Cougars
Where: Chicago at Jones Convocation Center
Date: Saturday, November 9th
Betting Odds YNGST -4.5, YNGST -219 | CHIST +176 O/U 147.5

Penguins Preview: Is a Win at Chicago Possible for the Penguins?

Youngstown State Penguins Records

Youngstown State finished last season with an 18-9 overall record, going 14-6 in Horizon League play. At home, they posted a 10-2 record with an average scoring margin of +10.2 points per game. On the road, they were 8-7, winning by an average of 3.6 points per game.

Against the spread, the Penguins were 15-12, including a 9-6 mark in road games. They were favored in 20 games, going 16-4 straight-up and 11-9 ATS. Their average over/under line was 150.3 points, and they had a 14-12-1 O/U record, with their games averaging 150.1 points per contest.

Penguins Offense Breakdown

Youngstown State Penguins Offense Stats

Youngstown State averaged 81.2 points per game last season, ranking 173rd in possessions per game with 65.6. They shot 45% from the field (185th) and had an effective field goal percentage of 51% (163rd). The Penguins were 66th in two-point shooting at 54% and made 8.8 three-pointers per game (54th) but struggled from deep, shooting 32% (317th). They attempted 27.2 threes per game, ranking 21st, and made 14.2 free throws per game (154th).

Youngstown State Penguins Top Returning Offensive Players

Nico Galette: G

Games: 31 (Last Year)
PPG: 13.5 (Last Year)
Assists: 2 (Last Year)
Rebounds: 7.2 (Last Year)

Siem Uijtendaal: G

Games: 23 (Last Year)
PPG: 13.3 (Last Year)
Assists: 2.1 (Last Year)
Rebounds: 3.4 (Last Year)

Penguins Team Defense

Youngstown State allowed 70.9 points per game last season, which ranked 133rd in the nation. Opponents shot 31.8% from three-point range against them, placing the Penguins 183rd in that category. They also ranked 93rd in free throws allowed, giving up 16.6 per game.

Youngstown State averaged 6.2 steals per game, ranking 220th in the country. They were much better in blocked shots, averaging 4.8 per game, which ranked 29th nationally.

Cougars Preview: Will the Cougars Win at Jones Convocation Center?

Chicago State Cougars Recent Game/Games

Chicago State opened their season with a 79-72 road loss to Loyola Chicago on Monday. Despite being +21.5 point underdogs, the Cougars kept the game much closer than expected.

After trailing 37-35 at halftime, Chicago State scored 37 points in the 2nd half but allowed 42. The game’s total points of 151 went over the pre-game O/U line of 137.5.

Cougars Offense Breakdown

Chicago State put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 41.3% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.6%, and they hit just 60% of their free throws, going 12-for-20 from the line.

Jayden Dawson led the Cougars with 20 points, while Justin Moore and Des Watson each added 14. Moore also dished out 7 assists. The Cougars managed only 4 offensive rebounds in the game.

Cougars Team Defense

Chicago State’s defense gave up 79 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 41% from the field. They allowed 52% shooting from two-point range, with the other team hitting 20 of 38 attempts.

From beyond the arc, Chicago State held their opponents to 24% shooting, as they made just 6 of 25 three-point attempts. The Cougars also sent the other team to the free-throw line 29 times, where they converted 21 free throws for 72%.

Penguins vs Cougars Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last three road games, Youngstown State has averaged 76 points per game while allowing 73. The team's record in this stretch was 2-1 while going 2-1 vs. the spread.
Although Chicago State has a straight up record of 3-7 in their last ten home games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 7-3. The team averaged 65 points per game in these games.
Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Cougars have a straight up record of 3-7. But, their mark vs the spread was just 8-2.
Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Penguins have a straight up record of 6-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 4-6.