The Northern Kentucky Norse (11-5, 3-2 Horizon League) are at home in Horizon League play against the Youngstown State Penguins (8-7, 2-3 Horizon League) on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET. The Norse are 3.5-point favorites in the game. The over/under is 146.5 for the matchup.
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Northern Kentucky Cover -3.5 vs Youngstown State -110
Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State betting lines
- Northern Kentucky moneyline odds to win: -172
- Youngstown State moneyline odds to win: +143
- Spread: Northern Kentucky (-3.5)
- Total: 146.5
Northern Kentucky statistics, trends and more
As the home team
- Northern Kentucky has done a better job covering the spread at home (4-3-0) than it has in road tilts (2-4-0).
- The Norse have hit the over on the total in three of seven home games (42.9%). They’ve fared better in road games, eclipsing the total in five of six matchups (83.3%).
- Northern Kentucky has won a lower percentage of its matchups as a moneyline favorite at home, going 5-2 (.714). On the road as a moneyline favorite, it sports a record of 1-0 (1.000).
Recent trends
- The Norse have been putting up 82.2 points per game in their last 10 appearances, an average that’s a little lower than the 83.8 they’ve scored over the course of the 2025-26 campaign.
- Northern Kentucky has been less stingy on the defensive side of the ball lately, giving up 75.2 points per game during its last 10 outings compared to the 75.1 points per game its opponents are averaging over the 2025-26 season.
- The Norse’s past 10 contests have seen them make 8.5 three-pointers per game while shooting 32.9% from deep. Both numbers are down compared to their 2025-26 averages of 9.3 makes and 34.6%.
Northern Kentucky betting records this season
- ATS Record: 6-7-0 (Home: 4-3-0; Away: 2-4-0)
- ATS Record When Favored by 3.5+: 4-3-0 (As Favorite: 4-4-0; As Underdog: 2-3-0)
- O-U-P: 8-5-0 (Home: 3-4-0; Away: 5-1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Favorite: 6-2 (Home: 5-2; Away: 1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Underdog: 2-3 (Home: 0-0; Away: 2-3)
| Field Goal % | Opp. Field Goal % | Rebounds | Opp. Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47.8 (74th in nation) | 45.0 (270th) | 31.9 (239th) | 30.3 (140th) | 15.5 (117th) | 12.8 (282nd) |
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Youngstown State statistics, trends and more
As the away team
- Youngstown State has performed better against the spread away (3-3-0) than at home (2-3-0) this season.
- Penguins games have gone above the over/under 40% of the time at home (two of five), and 66.7% of the time on the road (four of six).
Recent trends
- Over their last 10 games, the Penguins are posting 76.8 points per contest, compared to their season average of 79.1.
- Youngstown State is ceding 67.1 points per contest over its previous 10 games, which is 3.2 fewer points than it is allowing for the season (70.3).
- Over their last 10 games, the Penguins are sinking 9.8 treys per contest, 0.4 fewer threes than their season average (10.2). They also have a worse three-point percentage over their last 10 games (34.0%) compared to their season average (35.1%).
Youngstown State betting records this season
- ATS Record: 6-7-0 (Home: 2-3-0; Away: 3-3-0)
- ATS Record When Underdog by 3.5+: 2-1-0 (As Favorite: 4-4-0; As Underdog: 2-3-0)
- O-U-P: 6-7-0 (Home: 2-3-0; Away: 4-2-0)
- Record When Moneyline Favorite: 5-3 (Home: 3-2; Away: 1-0)
- Record When Moneyline Underdog: 1-4 (Home: 0-0; Away: 1-4)
| Field Goal % | Opp. Field Goal % | Rebounds | Opp. Rebounds | Assists | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46.6 (124th in nation) | 43.4 (172nd) | 32.7 (207th) | 30.7 (160th) | 14.6 (166th) | 12.8 (282nd) |

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