I'm not going to overthink this one. I'm just surprised and grateful the line is so short because Cleveland State is much better than Northern Kentucky.

The Vikings are the class of the Horizon League with a 10-1 league mark, 14-4 overall. Northern Kentucky is 6-4 in league and 10-9 overall.

Cleveland State has won three in a row against the Norse including beating them, 72-58, at home on Dec. 2.

Perhaps the oddsmaker doesn't trust Cleveland State on the road. The Vikings, though, are 3-1 in their away games with their lone road loss occurring in overtime to Oklahoma State as a 12 1/2-point 'dog. Cleveland State defeated Wright State, which is ahead of Northern Kentucky in the Horizon League standings, on the road in its last game.

Northern Kentucky has won four in a row, but have had difficulty when stepping up in class. I don't trust the Norse. I do trust the Vikings when it comes to beating Horizon League opponents.