Queens Faces Cleveland State in High-Stakes CBI Quarterfinal Showdown

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Queens Royals (20-14) aim to secure their second consecutive victory against the Cleveland State Vikings (21-12) this afternoon after both teams advanced to the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI).

Set to tip off at 4 p.m. ET at Ocean Center, the game marks a pivotal matchup for both teams, particularly for Queens, which recently suffered a setback in the NCAA Tournament and seeks redemption after an overtime loss to Lipscomb in the Atlantic Sun Tournament.

Queens bounced back impressively with an 85-78 victory over Northern Arizona in the first round of the CBI, showcasing the resilience needed to compete at this level. Cleveland State, however, has had two weeks to rest following a narrow defeat to Youngstown State in the Horizon League Tournament semifinals.

Cleveland State enters as 4-point favorites according to the latest odds from SportsLine consensus, with an over/under set at 146.5. The Vikings finished second in the Horizon League regular-season standings with a record of 14-6.

“The break has given us an advantage to recuperate and prepare,” said Cleveland State head coach Dennis Felton. “We’ve been focusing on our defensive strategies and exploiting advantageous matchups.”

The Vikings maintain a balanced lineup, featuring five players who score more than eight points per game. Senior guard Tevin Smith leads the team with an average of 13.8 points, while junior forward Dylan Arnett excels on the boards with 7.3 rebounds per game.

In contrast, the Royals will look to build momentum from their recent performances. Senior forward Jaxon Pollard played a crucial role in their win over Northern Arizona with a team-high 17 points. Additionally, Chris Ashby shined, scoring 22 points and hitting six three-pointers in the same game.

Severance, a seasoned analyst from SportsLine, has been on a hot streak, winning 60 out of 86 college basketball money-line picks. “Following this trend could yield significant profits for bettors,” he stated. He has mapped strategies for tonight’s matchup, leaning towards an underwhelming total based on the teams’ recent form.

Queens has covered in their last five games, contrasting with Cleveland State, which has only managed to cover twice in their last eight games. Still, Queens’ momentum faces a tough test against a well-rested and strategic Cleveland State squad.

As both teams prepare for intense competition, the stakes are high. The winner will advance to face either Florida Gulf Coast or Army in the semifinals on Tuesday.