The second game of the Horizon League Championship semifinal will be played in Indianapolis on Monday, March 6, so make sure you don’t miss out on the best Vikings vs. Panthers betting pick and odds.

Milwaukee is hoping to get the fourth consecutive win when they meet Cleveland State at Indiana Farmers Coliseum. The Vikings are 3-point favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 148.5 points. These Horizon rivals will face for the third time this season; the Panthers lead the series 2-0.

Vikings edged Robert Morris in OT

The Cleveland State Vikings (20-12, 14-16-0 ATS) opened the postseason with a tight 75-70 overtime victory against the Robert Morris Colonials at home. The Vikings were on a five-game winning streak when the Milwaukee Panthers snapped that positive run, but Cleveland State did bounce back with a W. Cleveland State was down by seven points with under two minutes remaining in regulation, but managed to force overtime through Drew Lowder’s free throws and a triple he made a bit earlier.

Junior forward Tristan Enaruna led the Vikings with a game-high 23 points, a team-high seven rebounds, a game-high three blocks, and two steals. Deante Johnson added 15 points and six boards, while Drew Lowder had 11 points and four rebounds.

Panthers didn’t have problems with Wright State

The Milwaukee Panthers (21-10, 15-13 ATS) didn’t have trouble with the Wright State Raiders in the opening round of the conference tournament and secured a comfortable 87-70 victory. It was the Panthers’ third consecutive win and it was evident that they will get it after the first half, which they won by 18 points. Milwaukee was good from the floor (50.7%) and dominated the boards (48-31).

Sophomore guard BJ Freeman led the Panthers with a game-high 29 points and six rebounds. Elijah Jamison scored 19 points, Kentrell Pullian chipped in 15 points and six boards, while Jalen Johnson had ten points, five rebounds, and team-high three steals.

Trends:

Cleveland State:

  • 2-8 ATS in the last ten games

Milwaukee:

  • 13-5 SU in the last 18 games
  • 5-2 SU in the last seven games against the Horizon conference rivals

Cleveland State Vikings vs. Milwaukee Panthers Pick

Milwaukee beat Cleveland State in both H2H encounters this season and snapped a three-game losing skid in H2H duels. Overall, the Panthers have been a better team this year, and I expect them to prove that on Monday with another victory. I must admit that I am a bit surprised by the spread offered by the bookies, which only makes my decision to back Milwaukee easier. The Vikings are stronger defensively, but on this occasion, I am going with a higher-scoring offense. Milwaukee is averaging 78.3 points per game opposite Cleveland State’s 71.3 points per contest. Even if they fail to win, I am sure the Panthers will cover.

Pick: Take the Panthers at +3.5 (-133)

The Total

The latest H2H provided 153 points and I am hoping for a similar scenario on Monday. Milwaukee scored at least 81 points in each of the last three games and allowed 70+ in all three. Cleveland State scored 72+ in the previous three games, so expect to see a high-scoring affair here. The total has gone Over in five of Cleveland State’s last six games; the total went Over in ten of the Vikings’ previous 12 games against the Horizon conference opponents, while the total has gone Over in four of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s last six games against Cleveland State.

Pick: Go Over 147.5 points (-130)