Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State Dunkel Predictions & Vegas Odds - Jan. 4

The Northern Kentucky Norse (11-5, 3-2 Horizon League) host the Youngstown State Penguins (8-7, 2-3 Horizon League) at Truist Arena, tipping off at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 4, 2026. The Penguins are 3.5-point underdogs in the game. The over/under in the matchup is set at 145.5.

Northern Kentucky is coming off of an 81-72 win against IU Indianapolis in its last outing on Thursday. In Northern Kentucky's win, Donovan Oday led the way with a team-high 18 points (adding three rebounds and zero assists). Youngstown State's last outing was an 85-83 loss to Oakland on Thursday. Bryson Dawkins scored a team-high 20 points for Youngstown State in the loss.

Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State Odds and Game Time

• When: Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET
• Where: Truist Arena in Highland Heights, Kentucky
• Spread favorite: Northern Kentucky -3.5
• Moneyline favorite: Northern Kentucky -171
• Moneyline underdog: Youngstown State +143
• Over/Under: 145.5 points

How to watch Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State

• TV Channel: ESPN+
• Check out the rest of our Dunkel Index NCAA Basketball Picks!

Betting the Over/Under: Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State

• Northern Kentucky and its opponents have combined to outscore Sunday's total (145.5 points) 11 times this season.
• This season, six games Youngstown State has played finished with a combined score higher than 145.5 points.
• Together, the two teams combine for 162.9 points per game, 17.4 points more than the total of 145.5 for this contest.
• The 145.4 points per game these two teams allow their opponents to score combined this season are 0.1 less than the 145.5-point over/under in this contest.
• On average, Northern Kentucky has seen a 158.8-point over/under in its games this season, 13.3 more points than the over/under in this matchup.
• The over/under for this game is 4.0 points lower than the average over/under in Youngstown State's games this season (149.5 points).

Betting the Spread: Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State

• Northern Kentucky has played 13 games, with six wins against the spread.
• The Norse are 4-3 ATS when favored by 3.5 points or more this season.
• Youngstown State has played 13 games, with six wins against the spread.
• The Penguins have been underdogs by 3.5 points or more three times this year and have covered the spread twice.
• At home this season, Northern Kentucky is 5-2 overall and 4-3 against the spread.
• At home, as a 3.5-point favorite or more, Northern Kentucky is 4-2 ATS.
• Youngstown State is 3-3 against the spread, and 2-4 overall, on the road.
• Youngstown State is unbeaten ATS (1-0) as 3.5-point underdogs or more away from home.

Betting the Moneyline: Northern Kentucky vs. Youngstown State

• Northern Kentucky has been the moneyline favorite in eight games this season and won six (75%) of those contests.
• The Norse are 6-1 this season when entering a game favored by -171 or more on the moneyline.
• The moneyline for this contest implies a 63.1% chance of a victory for Northern Kentucky.
• Youngstown State has been chosen as moneyline underdogs in five games this year and has walked away with the win one time (20%) in those games.
• This year, the Penguins have won one of three games when listed as at least +143 or worse on the moneyline.
• The moneyline set for this matchup implies Youngstown State has a 41.2% chance of walking away with the win.