Northern Kentucky Norse vs Wright State Raiders Picks and Predictions for Monday March 9 2026
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The Northern Kentucky Norse and Wright State Raiders meet in the Barbasol Horizon League Championship Semifinal on Monday, March 9, 2026 at Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, and the game will be televised on ESPNU. At the time of this writing, the odds were not released. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more expert analysis and daily betting insights on the college hardwood.
Northern Kentucky Looks to Carry Momentum into the Semifinals
Northern Kentucky enters the semifinal with a 20-13 overall record and a 10-10 mark in Horizon League play. The Norse advanced to this round after a strong 96-76 win over Green Bay in the tournament’s second round. Over their last five games, Northern Kentucky has recently won over Green Bay, recently won over Oakland, and recently won over Cleveland State, while also recently losing to Wright State and Youngstown State.
The Norse have been one of the more explosive offenses in the Horizon League this season. Northern Kentucky averages 82.5 points per game while allowing 76.7 points per contest. The team shoots 47% from the field and averages 35.4 rebounds and 15.5 assists per game, showing a balanced offensive attack that moves the ball well. Defensively, the Norse generate 8.8 steals per game and 3.6 blocks, numbers that highlight their ability to create turnovers and disrupt opposing offenses.
Northern Kentucky heads into this matchup riding the confidence of their strong tournament performance. In the victory over Green Bay, LJ Wells led the way with 26 points and 9 rebounds, dominating both scoring and on the glass. That performance showcased the Norse’s ability to lean on their interior presence and get to the free throw line when needed. With a short turnaround in the tournament schedule, Northern Kentucky will look to carry that offensive efficiency and rebounding edge into a rematch with Wright State.
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Wright State’s Offensive Balance Makes Them Dangerous
Wright State finished the regular season 21-11 overall with a 15-5 Horizon League record, earning the top spot in the conference standings. The Raiders advanced in the tournament with a dominant 90-61 win over Cleveland State in the first round. In their last five games, Wright State has recently won over Cleveland State, recently won over Northern Kentucky, recently won over Purdue Fort Wayne, and recently won over IU Indianapolis, while recently losing to Robert Morris.
The Raiders have been highly efficient offensively throughout the season. Wright State averages 80.5 points per game while allowing 73.3 points per contest. The Raiders shoot an impressive 49% from the field, one of the best marks in the conference. They also average 35.4 rebounds and 13.8 assists per game, showing solid balance between scoring and ball movement. Defensively, Wright State records 4.3 blocks and 7.4 steals per game, helping them control the tempo of games.
Wright State enters this semifinal with momentum after their dominant win over Cleveland State. In that game, Kellen Pickett led the Raiders with 18 points while Michael Cooper grabbed 7 rebounds, helping Wright State dominate the glass with a massive rebounding advantage. The Raiders controlled the pace from start to finish, shooting efficiently and building a large lead early. That level of offensive balance and rebounding dominance could once again play a major role in this semifinal matchup.
Northern Kentucky Norse vs Wright State Raiders Pick
Northern Kentucky Norse vs Wright State Raiders Spread Pick
- Pick: Wright State Raiders - Spread
Wright State already showed they can handle Northern Kentucky, winning the most recent matchup 92-91 and also finishing the season as the conference’s top team. The Raiders are playing excellent basketball right now, especially offensively, and they have been dominant on the boards. Their ability to control rebounds and shoot efficiently gives them a strong edge in this matchup. Northern Kentucky can score, but Wright State’s balance and defensive presence make them the more reliable team to back in this semifinal.
Northern Kentucky Norse vs Wright State Raiders Total Pick
- Pick: Over
I like the over in this matchup because both teams have proven they can score at a high level. Northern Kentucky averages over 82 points per game, while Wright State averages 80 points per game, and both teams play at a pace that encourages offense. Their recent meeting ended 92-91, and with tournament pressure often leading to faster tempo and aggressive offense, I expect another high-scoring battle. Both teams have efficient shooting numbers, and that combination makes the over very appealing here.
Final Score Prediction: Wright State Raiders 86, Northern Kentucky Norse 80
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