The Pittsburgh Panthers (3-0) look to extend their hot start when they meet the Kent State Golden Flashes (3-1) at Petersen Events Center. The game gets underway at 4:00 pm ET on Saturday, Nov. 28 and can be seen on ES3.
The Panthers won big over Cornell 93-49 on Wednesday. Jamel Artis was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 6-for-11 shooting. The Golden Flashes, meanwhile, are coming off a 79-60 win over Saint Francis on Tuesday. Jimmy Hall shot 8 for 16 and led in scoring with 16 points.
Pittsburgh is a considerable 12-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 142 points. The Panthers come into this game 3-0 Straight Up (SU) and 1-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Panthers come into the game with the 11th-ranked scoring offense in the nation, averaging 90.7 points per game. The Panthers are an exceptional shooting team from the line with a .742 free throw percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. Pittsburgh has the fourth-most assists in Division I, averaging 21.3 per game. Turning to the defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score points against the Panthers, who allow only 57.0 points per game. The Panthers have really locked down opponents on the defensive end, ranking third in the country with a .317 opponent field-goal percentage. An area where the Panthers are particularly strong is defensive rebounding where they average 34.0 per game, sixth in Division I. Pittsburgh is very careful and attentive with the ball, averaging the 30th-fewest turnovers per game at only 10.3.
Over on the other bench, the Golden Flashes have yet to cover the spread in any of their matchups, going 0-3 ATS along with their SU record of 3-1. The Golden Flashes are a force on the offensive glass, grabbing an average of 16.2 offensive rebounds per game. Kent State has not committed many turnovers, averaging only 11.0 per game.
These two meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Pittsburgh won the last game in the matchup, moving its SU record against the Golden Flashes to 2-1. Furthermore, with a 2-1 record, Pittsburgh has the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Pitt, ATS Winner – Pitt, O/U – Under
Notes
Pittsburgh is one of the top-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 90.7 points per game (ranked 11th). Kent State, on the other hand, allows 68.5 points per game (ranked 118th).
Kent State won its last game by a 19-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, Pittsburgh is 2-0. Kent State is 1-0 in blowouts this season.
The Pittsburgh Panthers have a defensive rating of 80.3 (ranked ninth), while the Kent State Golden Flashes have an offensive rating of 110.0 (ranked 126th).
The Pittsburgh Panthers average a field goal percentage of 49.3% this season. The Kent State Golden Flashes are a perfect 1-0 in games where opponents have a FG% of 49.3% or greater.
The Pittsburgh Panthers and the Kent State Golden Flashes both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Pittsburgh is 52nd and 44th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Kent State ranks 240th and 206th in these categories.
Ranked fourth in the nation, Pittsburgh has an average of 21.3 assists per game. Kent State ranks lower at 157th with 14.0.
The Pittsburgh Panthers average 7.3 blocks per game, the second-ranked team in the country. The Kent State Golden Flashes rank a lowly 116th in blocking with just 4.0 per game.
Pittsburgh ranks 27th in offensive rebounding. Kent State ranks 144th in defensive rebounding.
The Pittsburgh Panthers average 4.3 steals per game. The Kent State Golden Flashes are undefeated at 2-0 when they allow at least 4 steals.
