The Horizon League race is in full swing as the Robert Morris Colonials head to the Wolstein Center to face the Cleveland State Vikings. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, February 12, 2026, with the action streaming live on ESPN+. Robert Morris enters the night at 16-10 (8-7 Horizon), currently sitting in fifth place and riding a two-game winning streak. Cleveland State, at 10-15 (6-8 Horizon), is looking to protect its home floor where they have been much more competitive this season.
This matchup serves as a significant measuring stick for both programs as they jockey for tournament seeding. While Robert Morris has the better overall record, they have been a middling 6-7 on the road. Cleveland State is coming off a season-best five-game winning streak that was just snapped last Saturday, and they will be highly motivated to start a new run in front of their home crowd.
Robert Morris vs Cleveland State Odds
Current market lines show the Colonials as a modest road favorite. While the spread has hovered around 3.5 points, movement often occurs as tip-off approaches. Bettors should always verify the latest Robert Morris vs Cleveland State odds to ensure they are getting the best available price.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Robert Morris | -172 | -3.5 (-115) | O 153.5 (-120) |
| Cleveland State | +132 | +3.5 (-110) | U 153.5 (-112) |
Robert Morris Betting Form
The Colonials arrive in Cleveland with momentum following a gutsy 72-66 road win over Youngstown State. Forward DeSean Goode has been the catalyst lately, earning Horizon League Player of the Week honors after a 24-point, 81.8% shooting performance. He leads the team with 15.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Ryan Prather Jr. provides the backcourt punch with 15.2 points per game, and the team’s ball movement is elite, ranking 29th nationally with 17.6 assists per contest.
Robert Morris is a dangerous offensive unit when their shooters are on, ranking 43rd in the country in three-point percentage (36.9%). They tend to play a more deliberate game but can burn teams that allow them to set up their half-court sets. To ensure you have the most accurate roster information, check the Robert Morris injury report as Nikolaos Chitikoudis has been handling a heavy workload in the frontcourt recently. You can find their full season breakdown on the Robert Morris stats and results page.
Cleveland State Betting Form
Despite a sub-.500 record, the Vikings are a completely different animal at the Wolstein Center, where they have won three straight. Their offense is explosive, averaging 80.4 points per game. Dayan Nessah is the heartbeat of this team, averaging 16.0 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting an efficient 55.2% from the floor. He is flanked by two of the best perimeter threats in the league: Tre Beard (45.2% 3PT) and Jaidon Lipscomb (42.8% 3PT), who both rank in the top 35 nationally in three-point accuracy.
Cleveland State’s path to victory relies on high-volume scoring and transition opportunities. They have reached double-digit three-pointers in 16 of their 25 games this year. While their defense has struggled at times, ranking near the bottom of the country in points allowed (84.2 PPG), their home-court energy often compensates for those lapses. Keep an eye on the Cleveland State injury report for any updates on Josiah Harris, who provides vital depth off the bench. For more on their home trends, visit the Cleveland State schedule and stats page.
Robert Morris vs Cleveland State Matchup Breakdown
This game presents a classic clash of styles within the Horizon League. Robert Morris wants to rely on its superior assist rate and interior efficiency, while Cleveland State wants to turn the game into a three-point shooting contest.
- Perimeter Firepower: Cleveland State makes 10.9 threes per game (26th nationally). If Beard and Lipscomb get hot early, Robert Morris’s perimeter defense (allowing 33.8% from deep) will be under immense pressure.
- The Rebound Battle: Robert Morris holds a clear edge on the glass with a +7.0 rebounding margin. Cleveland State is often outsized in the paint, meaning the Colonials must dominate second-chance points to cover the road spread.
- Pace Control: Both teams actually prefer a slightly slower pace (mid-60s possessions), but Cleveland State’s defensive issues often lead to higher-scoring track meets.
For those looking to dive deeper into these conference dynamics, our college basketball betting guide covers how to handicap Horizon League road favorites. You can also brush up on advanced NCAAB betting strategies to see how rebounding margins correlate with ATS success.
Robert Morris vs Cleveland State Predictions and Best Bets
While Robert Morris is the “better” team on paper, I am leaning toward Cleveland State +3.5. The Vikings have a distinct home-court advantage at the Wolstein Center and possess the perimeter shooting to erase a deficit in a heartbeat. Cleveland State is 4-1 ATS in their last five games, and the fact that they shoot so well from deep (38% as a team) makes them a very live underdog. Robert Morris has struggled with consistency on the road, and I expect this game to be a one-possession affair in the final minute.
For the total, the Under 153.5 feels like the sharp play. Even though Cleveland State’s scoring averages are high, both teams rank poorly in adjusted tempo. Robert Morris will try to slow the game down to limit the Vikings’ transition opportunities, and a more physical, half-court game favors the under.
Best Bet: Cleveland State +3.5 (-110).
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