It will be a battle between MAC opponents when the Kent State Golden Flashes (9-10, 3-3 MAC) welcome the Ball State Cardinals (12-7, 3-3 MAC) to Memorial A & C Center. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
Neither team is favored and the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 148 points.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Kent State Golden Flashes ATS Prediction
The last time the Cardinals played, they were blown out by the Miami (OH) RedHawks, 71-53. Converting at the free throw line was one of Miami (OH)’s biggest advantages. They were 16-19 (84.2 percent), while the Cardinals were just 4-7 (57.1 percent). Trey Moses led Ball State in scoring with 18 points on 9-for-10 shooting.
The Golden Flashes fell to the Toledo Rockets in their last contest, 72-65. Toledo’s 0.230 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Kent State, who had a rate of 0.093. The Rockets’ mark was below their season average of 0.265, while the Golden Flashes’ was below their season average of 0.248. Kevin Zabo put together a good performance for Kent State, leading both teams in scoring with 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
Ball State holds records of 12-7 straight up (SU) and 6-7 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Cardinals tend to finish under the O/U total (61.5 percent).
Meanwhile, Kent State is 9-10 SU and 6-7-1 ATS. Similarly to Ball State, games involving the Golden Flashes also tend to finish under the projected point total (57.1 percent).
After the Golden Flashes won the sole contest against the Cardinals last season, 100-90, these teams will meet for the first time this year. The Golden Flashes had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (47.2 vs. 34.4) and had a better turnover percentage (13.2 vs. 17.7).
Ball State Cardinals vs. Kent State Golden Flashes Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Ball State, ATS Winner – Ball State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Ball State is 4-4 ATS with 4 overs and 4 unders.
At home, Kent State is 4-1-1 ATS with 3 overs and 3 unders.
Kent State ranks 30th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while Ball State ranks 178th (7.7).
The Cardinals rank 94th in assists per game (14.7) while the Golden Flashes rank 126th in assists allowed per game (13.3).
Ball State ranks 80th in three pointers attempted per game (24.1) while Kent State ranks 96th in three pointers allowed per game (20.9).
The Cardinals average 36.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 116th in the NCAA. The Golden Flashes rank 122nd in rebounds allowed per game (34.4).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Ball State is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Kent State is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Cardinals have been outscored by an average of 8.0 points in their last five games. On the season, Ball State has defeated opponents by an average of 1.0 point.
During their last five games, the Golden Flashes have scored an average of 72.4 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
