Mid-American foes will lock horns when the Buffalo Bulls (15-12) take on the Kent State Golden Flashes (18-9) at Alumni Arena. Action begins at 6:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 23 and can be seen on EFC and ES3.
The Bulls come into this game on a high note after topping Bowling Green 88-74 on Saturday. Blake Hamilton was the game’s leading scorer with 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting. The Golden Flashes, meanwhile, are coming off an 85-76 win over Akron on Friday. Khaliq Spicer shot 8 for 10 and led in scoring with 22 points.
CJ Massinburg has been playing at a high level over the last five games for the Bulls. During that stretch, he has averaged 19.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.6 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.8 three-pointers.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Bulls won the first game 76-67. Lamonte Bearden was a standout player in the game, producing 21 points, one rebound, eight assists, five steals, one block, and one three-pointer.
The Bulls look to build on their records of 15-12 Straight Up (SU) and 12-11-2 Against The Spread (ATS). The Bulls are a phenomenal shooting team from the line with 18.0 free throws made per game, one of the highest marks in Division I.
On the other side, the Golden Flashes head into the game with records of 10-13 ATS and 18-9 SU. Kent State may be taking trips to the free throw line early and often with the Bulls averaging 21.7 fouls per game, one of the highest marks in Division I.
Buffalo won the last meeting this season between these two teams, moving its SU record against Kent State to 6-4 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. Additionally, Buffalo holds the advantage ATS with a record of 7-3. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Buffalo held the edge in all three of these categories twice in the last five meetings. Kent State never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Buff, ATS Winner – Buff
Notes
“Buffalo is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“Buffalo is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games at home”.
“Buffalo is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Kent State”.
“Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Kent State”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo’s last 6 games when playing Kent State”.
“Buffalo is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Kent State”.
“Buffalo is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Kent State”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo’s last 6 games when playing at home against Kent State”.
The Kent State Golden Flashes hold a solid 9-5 SU record in matchups against Mid-American Conference rivals, while the Buffalo Bulls currently sit at 8-6 in these games.
Buffalo scores 81.0 points per home game (ranked 61st). Kent State ranks a poor 131st in points allowed on the road, allowing 74.2 points.
The Buffalo Bulls average 72.3 possessions per game and 1.056 points per possession, while the Kent State Golden Flashes earn fewer possessions (68.3) but more points per possession (1.100).
The Kent State Golden Flashes average an effective field goal percentage of 50.1% this season. The Buffalo Bulls have an underachieving record of 3-7 when opponents have an eFG% of 50.1% or greater.
On average, Buffalo attempts 21.0 three pointers and Kent State attempts 17.0. Both teams have winning records when they have 20 or more three point attempts. The Buffalo Bulls sit at 12-4 and the Kent State Golden Flashes are 5-2.
Buffalo ranks 75th in offensive rebounding. Kent State ranks 192nd in defensive rebounding.
On average, Buffalo makes 7.4 steals per game. Kent State has a winning 5-3 record when it gives up at least 7 steals.
