In the play-in round of the Horizon League Tournament on Monday, the Cleveland State Vikings host the IU Indianapolis Jaguars with postseason hopes on the line. Both teams enter this battle coming off difficult regular seasons, but with recent meetings showing that this series can produce competitive basketball. A close game is expected to begin postseason play in college basketball, and you'll find my IU Indianapolis vs Cleveland State prediction below.
Our IU Indianapolis vs Cleveland State Pick
Pick: Cleveland State ATS PRO
Confidence: 3 out of 5
Game Snapshot
Matchup: IU Indianapolis Jaguars @ Cleveland State Vikings
Date & Time: Monday, March 2, 2026, 7:00 PM ET
Venue: Wolstein Center, Cleveland, Ohio
Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
This is the first game of the postseason in all of college basketball. And while it's unlikely that either of these teams makes a run to an automatic bid into March Madness, hope springs eternal for them and the rest of the country that is still in tourney contention.
These were the bottom two teams in the Horizon League this year, posting a combined 9-31 record in league play heading into the tournament. But someone has to win and advance here regardless.
Key Players
Cleveland State
Dayan Nessah – Leading scorer at about 15.5 points per game and solid on the boards with roughly 6.4 rebounds per contest, he’s the key offensive catalyst for the Vikings. Nessah’s physical presence helps set the tone for Cleveland State.
Josiah Harris – Harris is one of Cleveland State’s primary rebounders and a tough matchup on the glass. His contributions on both ends remain valuable for the Vikings.
Tre Beard – Offers perimeter scoring and ball distribution, and can swing the game if he finds his rhythm from distance.
IU Indianapolis
Kyler D’Augustino – The Jaguars’ go-to scorer with about 18.3 points per game. His ability to score from multiple areas on the floor makes him critical to Indianapolis staying competitive.
Finley Woodward – Handles the ball and contributes with assists (roughly 6.2 per game), creating opportunities for his teammates and stabilizing the offense.
Jaxon Edwards – A contributor on the boards with around 5.4 rebounds per game, Edwards aids in generating second-chance opportunities and providing defensive resistance.
Stat Comparison
Stat
IU Indianapolis
Cleveland State
Points per game
83.2
79.7
Points allowed per game
87.9
85.6
Team Field Goal %
46%
45%
Rebounds Per Game
32.5
32.7
Assists Per Game
20.3
15.7
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
These teams went 1-1 against each other this season.
The home team won each of the two meetings between these programs this year.
IU Indy went 13-16 against the spread in the regular season.
Cleveland State is 11-17 against the spread entering the Horizon League tournament.
IU Indianapolis vs Cleveland State Model Projection
Score Projection: Cleveland State 83 – IU Indianapolis 79 ATS PRO
Win Probability: Cleveland State 58%, IU Indianapolis 42% ATS PRO
Final Thoughts
Though both teams have endured difficult seasons, Cleveland State’s home-court advantage and historical success against IU Indianapolis give the Vikings a slight leg up in this Horizon League Tournament play-in game. I am going to lay the points with the Vikings in what should be a close game, but one they ultimately win to advance to the next round.
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