Akron Zips vs. Kent State Golden Flashes Free Pick 1/19/24

Akron Zips (13-4 SU, 8-7 ATS) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (9-8 SU, 6-9 ATS)

When: Friday, January 19th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: MAC Center, OH, Kent

TV: ESPNU

Point Spread: AKRON +1/KENTST -1

Total: 142.5

Money Line: Akron Zips -111/-110

Notable Injuries

Zips

Golden Flashes

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As an underdog this season, Akron has gone 1-4, and they are 13-4 overall. They are currently on a five-game win streak, and their road record is 5-3 compared to their 6-1 mark at home. So far, the Zips are 5-0 in Mid-American Conference play, and their average scoring margin on the road is +2.0.

Akron’s average scoring margin at home is +11.1, and they have won their last five games. In their last game, the Zips defeated Western Michigan by a score of 77-66. Over their last 10 games on the road, they have gone 5-5, and their record in their last five road games is 3-2.

This season, the over/under record for Akron games is 7-8. On average, their games have finished with 141.6 points compared to an average over/under line of 141.3, resulting in a margin of +0.3 points. So far, eight of their games have finished with more points than today’s over/under line of 142.5. In their last three games, the over/under record is 1-2, with an average scoring total of 144 points.

As the underdog this season, Akron has gone 3-2 vs. the spread. On the road, their ATS record sits at 4-4, and over their last 10 road games, they are 4-5-1 vs. the spread.

At home this season, Kent State is 4-3, and over their last 10 home games, they have gone 7-3. They are 6-6 when favored this season, and they have been favored in 12 of their 17 games.

Overall, the Golden Flashes are 9-8 this season, and they are 2-3 in Mid-American Conference games. They have gone 7-5 in non-conference games.

So far this season, the over/under record for Kent State sits at 11-4. In their games, the average scoring total is 152.4 points compared to an average over/under line of 143.7. Today’s line of 142.5 is lower than the average over/under line in their games. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 and the average scoring total is 153 points.

As the favorite this season, Kent State has gone 5-7 vs. the spread. Their home ATS record is 3-4, and their last 10 favorite ATS mark is 4-6. Over their last three home games, the Golden Flashes are 1-2 vs. the spread.

Analysis

The Akron offense is coming off a game where they scored 77 points against Western Michigan. They posted a field goal percentage of 50.9% and connected on 7 threes. The top scorer for the Zips was Enrique Freeman with 20 points, while Sammy Hunter also chipped in with 19 points.

So far, the Zips’ defense is ranked 44th in the country at 65.6 points per contest. So far, the Akron defense is giving up an average of 7.4 offensive rebounds per game and are turning teams over 11.1 times per game (487th).

Coming off a good offensive performance, Kent State’s offense scored 83 points against Northern Illinois. Their field goal percentage for the game was 60.4%, and they went 8/14 from the free-throw line. The top scorer for the Golden Flashes was Voncameron Davis with 23 points, while Reggie Bass also chipped in with 23 points.

The Golden Flashes’ defense is presently ranked 210th nationally, allowing an average of 73.9 points per contest. So far, the Kent State defense is giving up an average of 7.5 offensive rebounds per game and is turning teams over 12.8 times per game (632nd).

Betting Trends

• Across their last five road contests, Akron has been good against the spread posting a mark of 3-2. Their overall mark in these games was 3-2 while averaging 72 points per game.
• Across the Golden Flashes last three home games, the team averaged 71 points per game while allowing 74. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2 while going 1-2 straight-up.
• In their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Zips have a straight-up record of 2-8 and an ATS mark of 4-5-1.
• As the betting favorite, the Golden Flashes have an ATS mark of just 2-3 in their last five games. Kent State posted a straight-up mark of 2-3 in these matchups.

Crew’s Pick To Cover The Spread

Both teams have played a tough non-conference schedule but Akron has had much more success. The Zips are only 1-4 against Net Quadrant 1 and Quadrant 2 teams, but three of the defeats were by three or fewer points. They’ve played five conference teams winning all five with four of the victories being by 11 or more points. Kent State is 0-3 against the top two net quadrants, is just 7-8 while playing a similar level schedule, and is just 3-3 in home games with arguably the best home win coming against Cleveland State. On paper, the Zips shoot better and defend better and are my play here. Take Akron -1.5