The Kent State Golden Flashes (16-8) will try to slow down the Mid-American’s top scoring team when they take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles (12-12) at Convocation Center. Action gets underway at 12:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 13 and can be seen on ES3.
The Eagles come into this game hoping to repeat their last performance, beating Central Michigan 71-56 on Tuesday. James Thompson IV fueled the Eagles, recording his 15th double-double this season with 19 points and 15 rebounds. The Golden Flashes, meanwhile, are coming off a 75-74 win against Northern Illinois on Tuesday. Khaliq Spicer shot 6 for 8 and led in scoring with 17 points.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Golden Flashes won the first game 73-58. Spicer put up a double-double in the victory with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
The Eagles come into this game 12-12 Straight Up (SU) and 7-10 Against The Spread (ATS). The Eagles come into the game with the 50th-ranked scoring offense in the nation, averaging 78.5 points per game. Eastern Michigan has gotten to the free throw line often this season. They average 19 made free throws per game, which is 12th-best in Division I.
On the other side, the Golden Flashes haven’t fared well ATS, sitting at 8-12. However, they are 16-8 SU. The Kent State defense has allowed an average of 78.5 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 72.0.
Following the Golden Flashes’ latest win over Eastern Michigan, their SU record rises to 9-1 over Eastern Michigan in their most recent games. The Golden Flashes also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 7-3. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Kent State held the edge in all three of these categories once in the last five meetings. Eastern Michigan never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – EastMi, ATS Winner – EastMi
Notes
“Eastern Michigan is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games “.
“Eastern Michigan is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games “.
“Eastern Michigan is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home”.
“Eastern Michigan is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games when playing Kent State”.
“Eastern Michigan is 1-19 SU in its last 20 games when playing Kent State”.
“Eastern Michigan is 2-9-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing at home against Kent State”.
“Eastern Michigan is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Kent State”.
Kent State sits at 7-4 SU against the conference, while Eastern Michigan is 4-7 SU.
Eastern Michigan scores 83.2 points per home game (ranked 34th). Kent State ranks a poor 132nd in points allowed on the road, allowing 74.2 points.
Kent State won its last game by a one-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Eastern Michigan is 0-1. Kent State is 4-1 in close games this season.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles average 73.0 possessions per game and 1.076 points per possession, while the Kent State Golden Flashes earn fewer possessions (68.2) but more points per possession (1.091).
Eastern Michigan has an average effective field goal percentage of 49.0%. Kent State is an even 7-7 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles average 18.0 three point attempts per game, and the Kent State Golden Flashes attempt 17.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, Eastern Michigan is an even 5-5, while Kent State has a winning record of 4-2.
The Kent State Golden Flashes rank 58th in offensive rebounds. The Eastern Michigan Eagles rank 215th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Eastern Michigan ranks 14th in forced turnovers with an average rate of 22.8%. Kent State has a 3-2 record when it suffers a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
