The Kent State Golden Flashes (15-16, 9-9 MAC) and Northern Illinois Huskies (13-18, 6-12 MAC) close out the regular season when they face off at Memorial A & C Center. The game will air on ESPN 3 at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 5, 2018.
Kent State is a 6.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 146 points.
Northern Illinois Huskies at Kent State Golden Flashes ATS Prediction
The Huskies come in on a high note after edging the Ball State Cardinals in their last game, 66-65. Northern Illinois’ rebounding was their biggest strength. The Huskies had more offensive rebounds (20 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (29 vs. 28) and total rebounds (49 vs. 35). Levi Bradley played a pivotal role for Northern Illinois with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
In the Golden Flashes’ last matchup, they lost a tough one against the Akron Zips, 67-65. Akron’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over Kent State. The Zips had a rate of 15.0 (better than their season average of 17.4), while the Golden Flashes posted a mark of 17.8. Kent State’s Jaylin Walker put up 15 points and five rebounds in the game.
Kent State figures to have an edge on the offensive glass in this contest. The Golden Flashes rank 88th in offensive rebounding percentage (31.7 percent), while Northern Illinois ranks 218th in defensive rebounding percentage (70.7 percent).
Northern Illinois heads into the contest with records of 13-18 straight up (SU) and 13-13-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the total of Huskies games, with 14 overs compared to 13 unders.
Meanwhile, Kent State owns records of 15-16 SU and 12-13-1 ATS. Vegas is exceedingly accurate when predicting totals of Golden Flashes games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Jalen Avery has averaged 13.6 points over the last five games for Kent State.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Bradley scored a game-high 25 points in the first game, in which the Huskies defeated the Golden Flashes 75-61, covering as 2.5-point favorites. He also recorded 14 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 136 points, which was 14 points below the projected point total of 150 points. The Huskies made 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (45.5 vs. 34.1).
Northern Illinois Huskies at Kent State Golden Flashes Free Pick
Free Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Kent State, ATS Winner – Northern Illinois, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Northern Illinois is 5-9-1 ATS with 8 overs and 7 unders.
At home, Kent State is 8-3-1 ATS with 7 overs and 5 unders.
Kent State ranks 122nd in three pointers attempted per game (22.8) while Northern Illinois ranks 291st (16.0).
The Golden Flashes rank 109th in blocks per game (3.4) while the Huskies rank 166th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
Northern Illinois ranks 16th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while Kent State ranks 60th (5.5).
The Golden Flashes rank 243rd in assists per game (11.8) while the Huskies rank 284th (9.3).
Kent State averages 35.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 134th in the NCAA. Northern Illinois ranks 151st in rebounds allowed per game (34.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Northern Illinois is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Kent State is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Huskies’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.8, up from 2.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Golden Flashes have scored an average of 74.6 points per game (0.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.8 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
