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The Kent State Golden Flashes (24-6, 14-3 MAC) will be trying to extend a 14-game home winning streak when hosting the Akron Zips (21-9, 13-4 MAC) on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. It airs at 6:00 PM ET on ESPNU.
The Golden Flashes square off against the Zips in a game that Kent State is currently a small favorite by 4 points. The over/under is 133.5 points for the game.
Kent State vs. Akron Odds
Point Spread for Kent State vs. Akron
The spread for this matchup is set at 4 points, with sportsbooks listing Kent State as the favorite.
Kent State vs. Akron Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Kent State has -184 odds to pick up the win, while Akron is listed at +155 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the total for the game is set at 133.5 points.
Game Time and How to Watch
- Game Day: Friday, March 3, 2023
- Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPNU
- Location: Kent, Ohio
- Arena: Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center
Kent State vs. Akron Betting Trends
Kent State is 17-11-1 against the spread this season. The Golden Flashes have been favorites in 24 games this season and have come away with the win 21 times (87.5%) in those contests. Kent State’s games this year have gone over the total in nine out of 28 opportunities (32.1%).
Against the spread, Akron is 11-16-1 this season. The Zips have a 2-7 record in games they were the underdog on the moneyline (winning 22.2% of those games). Akron’s games this season have gone over the point total 13 times in 28 opportunities (46.4%).
Kent State vs. Akron Key Players to Watch
Kent State
Malique Jacobs leads the Golden Flashes at 5 rebounds per contest, while also putting up 3.6 assists and 12.6 points. Miryne Thomas posts a team-leading 5 rebounds per game. He is also averaging 10.3 points and 0.7 assists, shooting 40.7% from the field and 35.9% from downtown with 2 made 3-pointers per contest. Cli’Ron Hornbeak is tops on his squad in rebounds per game (5), and also posts 5.6 points and 0.3 assists. Defensively, he posts 0.6 steals and 0.8 blocked shots.
Akron
Enrique Freeman is No. 1 on the Zips in rebounding (11.1 per game), and posts 16.2 points and 2 assists. He also delivers 0.6 steals and 1.1 blocked shots. Trendon Hankerson gets the Zips 9 points, 4 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest. He also averages 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocked shots. The Zips receive 6.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game from Greg Tribble.
What you need to know about the Kent State Golden Flashes
Kent State has won seven games against the spread in conference action this season, while failing to cover or pushing 10 times. With 75.6 points per game on offense, the Golden Flashes are 88th in the nation. At the other end, they surrender 64.7 points per contest, which ranks 38th in college basketball. Kent State is averaging 32.1 boards per game (158th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while allowing 31.2 rebounds per contest (189th-ranked).
The Golden Flashes are scoring 83.6 points per game in home games. In away games, they are averaging 68.3 points per contest. So far this year, Kent State is making 7.9 threes per game (121st-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 33.6% (220th-ranked) from three-point land. The Golden Flashes rank 152nd in the nation with 7 three-pointers allowed per game this year. Meanwhile, they rank 45th with a 31.2% shooting percentage allowed from downtown.
The Golden Flashes have a 4-6 record against the spread while finishing 8-2 overall over their past 10 contests. In its past 10 contests, Kent State has hit the over four times. In its last 10 games, Kent State has been racking up 76.3 points per contest, an average that’s a little higher than the 75.6 it has scored over the course of the 2022-23 season. Kent State’s points-allowed average over its past 10 games (67.1) is 2.4 more points per game than the team is allowing over the entire season (64.7).
What you need to know about the Akron Zips
Akron has put together an 8-8-1 ATS record so far this season in conference action. The Zips score 73.5 points per game and allow 65.5, making them 134th in college basketball offensively and 54th on defense. Akron is 133rd in the nation in rebounds per game (32.5) and 34th in rebounds conceded (28.3).
The Zips are putting up more points at home (79.9 per game) than away (68.4). Akron makes 9.1 3-pointers per game and shoots 35.3% from beyond the arc, ranking 31st and 120th, respectively, in the country. Defensively, the Zips are 139th in the country in 3-pointers conceded per game at 6.9. They are 218th in 3-point percentage conceded at 34.4%.
The Zips are 5-5 against the spread and 7-3 overall over their past 10 contests. Six of Akron’s last 10 contests have gone over the total. Akron has performed better offensively in its last 10 games, compiling 78.1 points per contest, 4.6 more than its season average of 73.5. The Zips are allowing 71.8 points per contest over their previous 10 games, compared to their season average of 65.5 points allowed.
Kent State vs. Akron Prediction & Pick
Our prediction to win this game is Kent State, and we project that Kent State will cover the spread (Kent State -4). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going over the posted total of 133.5 points.
How to bet Kent State vs. Akron
You can bet on Kent State vs. Akron at every legal online sportsbook. For more college basketball odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals, check out the latest NCAA lines as well as our guide to the best college basketball betting sites.
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