The Ball State Cardinals (19-12, 10-8 MAC) clash against the Kent State Golden Flashes (16-16, 10-9 MAC) in the Mid-American Conference Tourney at Quicken Loans Arena. The game can be seen on ESPN 3 at 2:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Ball State is a 3-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 145 points.
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Ball State Cardinals ATS Prediction
The last time the Golden Flashes played, they beat the Northern Illinois Huskies, 61-59. Kent State’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Northern Illinois. The Golden Flashes had a rate of 9.8 (better than their season average of 16.2), while the Huskies posted a mark of 12.8. With 19 points on 6-for-14 shooting, Kevin Zabo was the game’s high scorer.
The Cardinals lost a tough one against the Northern Illinois Huskies in their last matchup, 66-65. Northern Illinois out-rebounded Ball State. The Huskies had more offensive rebounds (20 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (29 vs. 28) and total rebounds (49 vs. 35). With 23 points on 10-for-17 shooting, Tayler Persons was Ball State’s high scorer.
Ball State could have a tough time creating turnovers. Kent State ranks 171st in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 18.6 percent), while Ball State forces the 72nd-fewest turnovers (17.0 percent).
Kent State holds records of 16-16 straight up (SU) and 12-14-1 against the spread (ATS). Golden Flashes games have a slight tendency to finish under the projected point total (51.9 percent).
Ball State has a respectable 19-12 SU record, but they are just 10-15 ATS. Of the Cardinals’ 25 games with betting action, 14 have finished under the total.
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Zabo (14.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals) has been fantastic for the Golden Flashes while Tahjai Teague (16.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals) has contributed greatly to the Cardinals.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Cardinals won the most recent matchup 87-68, covering as 7-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 155 points, which was 10 points above the projected point total of 145 points. The Cardinals had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 17.1) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.633 vs. 0.483). Teague put up a double-double in the victory with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Ball State Cardinals Free Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Ball State, ATS Winner – Kent State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Ball State ranks 105th in assists per game (14.3) while Kent State ranks 246th (11.8).
The Cardinals average 37.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 69th in the nation. The Golden Flashes rank 140th in rebounds allowed per game (34.6).
Kent State averages 23.0 three-pointers per game, which ranks 117th in the NCAA. Ball State ranks 185th in three-pointers allowed per game (22.4).
The Golden Flashes average 6.0 steals per game, which ranks 148th in the NCAA. The Cardinals rank 204th in steals allowed per game (7.0).
Kent State averages 3.5 blocks per game, which ranks 107th in the NCAA. Ball State ranks 134th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Kent State is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Ball State is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Golden Flashes’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 0.8, up from 0.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 74.4 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.4 points per game (0.3 below their season average).
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