It will be a battle between MAC opponents when the Kent State Golden Flashes (7-9, 1-2 MAC) welcome the Ohio Bobcats (8-7, 1-2 MAC) to Memorial A & C Center. The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 12, 2018.
Ohio opened as a 1-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 153.5 points.
Ohio Bobcats vs. Kent State Golden Flashes ATS Prediction
The Bobcats are hoping for a better outcome after their 75-68 loss to the Ball State Cardinals in their last matchup. Ball State’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Ohio. The Cardinals had a rate of 0.563 (above their season average of 0.525), while the Bobcats posted a mark of 0.443 (below their season average of 0.506). Teyvion Kirk was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points on 3-for-8 shooting.
In the Golden Flashes’ last game, they were beaten by the Miami (OH) RedHawks, 80-69. Miami (OH)’s 0.607 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Kent State, who had a rate of 0.451. The RedHawks’ mark was above their season average of 0.523. Kent State’s Adonis De La Rosa had a solid performance, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 4-for-10 shooting.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Golden Flashes rank 56th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.0 percent), while Ohio ranks 34th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.3 percent).
Kirk has averaged 15.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists over the last five games for Ohio.
After the Golden Flashes won two out of three matchups against the Bobcats last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, Kent State won 68-66. Kent State had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (29.7 vs. 12.1). Ohio, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (12-17; 70.6 percent).
Ohio Bobcats at Kent State Golden Flashes Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Kent State, ATS Winner – Kent State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Kent State ranks 104th in three pointers allowed per game (21.3) while Ohio ranks 234th (25.5).
The Golden Flashes rank 122nd in rebounds allowed per game (34.7) while the Bobcats rank 246th (39.1).
Kent State ranks 88th in blocks per game (3.6) while Ohio ranks 111th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
The Golden Flashes are 26th in the nation with 5.1 steals allowed per game while the Bobcats are 47th with 5.5 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Bobcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 1.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Golden Flashes have scored an average of 72.4 points per game (1.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.0 points per game (3.3 above their season average).
