Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Ohio Bobcats Betting Pick

Kent State Golden Flashes (13-12 SU, 9-14 ATS) vs. Ohio Bobcats (13-12 SU, 11-13 ATS)

When: Tuesday, February 20th, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: Convocation Center (OH), OH, Athens

TV: ESPN+

Point Spread: KENTST +3/OHIO -3

Total: 148

Money Line: Kent State Golden Flashes +135/-163

Notable Injuries

Golden Flashes

Bobcats

• IJ Ezuma (Out) Undisclosed
• AJ Brown (Out) Shoulder

Recent Form

After a 85-47 win over Northern Illinois, Kent State is 13-12 overall and 6-6 in the Mid-American Conference. They have gone 5-6 on the road this season, and their average scoring margin on the road is -0.5 points per game. As an underdog, the Golden Flashes are 2-3, and they have gone 2-1 in their last three road games.

For the season, Kent State is 9-9 when favored, and they have been favored in 18 of their 25 games. Their average scoring margin at home is +5.4 points per game, and they are currently on a two-game winning streak at home. Through 25 games, they have gone 7-6 in non-conference games.

Today’s over/under line of 148 is higher than the average over/under line in Kent State’s games this season (144.5). So far, 18 of their games have finished with fewer points than today’s OU line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 1-2, and the average scoring total is 134 points.

As the underdog, Kent State has gone 2-3 against the spread this season and they are 9-14 overall vs. the spread. On the road, the Golden Flashes are 5-6 vs. the spread this year, and they have a 2-1 ATS mark in their last three road games.

Ohio comes into this game as a 3-point favorite, looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The Bobcats are 13-12 overall, including a 7-5 mark in the Mid-American Conference.

At home, Ohio has been strong, going 10-5 this season. They have won five straight games at home and have gone 6-4 over their last 10 home games.

This season, the over/under record for Ohio games is 13-11 and today’s line of 148 is lower than the average over/under line in their games (150.3). In their last three games, the over/under record is 3-0 with an average scoring total of 172 points compared to their average of 152.5 points per game this season.

As the favorite this season, Ohio has a record of 9-10 vs. the spread. However, the Bobcats have been very good vs. the spread at home, going 8-7. In their last 3 games at home, Ohio is 3-0 vs. the spread, and they are 5-0 in their last 5 home games vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Bobcats are 6-4 vs. the spread.

Analysis

In their latest game, Kent State’s offense looked good, scoring 85 points against Northern Illinois. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 55.9% and made 9/14 free throws. The team’s scoring leader is Jalen Sullinger, who holds an average of 14.6 as they head into today’s matchup. Additionally, Chris Payton is averaging 12.8 points per game this season.

So far, the Golden Flashes’ defense is ranked 169th in the country at 71.9 points per contest. So far, the Kent State defense is giving up an average of 7.6 offensive rebounds per game and are turning teams over 12.1 times per game (608th).

In their recent matchup, the Ohio offense ended with 83 points against Toledo. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 47.4% and made 12 threes. AJ Clayton led the team in scoring, putting up 22 points. Additionally, Jaylin Hunter contributed 16 points for the Bobcats.

Coming into today’s game, the Ohio defense is giving up an average of 72.9 points per contest. The Ohio defense is coming off a game in which they gave up a total of 85 points and allowed Toledo to connect on 8 threes.

Betting Trends

• Across the Golden Flashes last ten road games, the team averaged 73 points per game while allowing 73. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 5-5, while going 5-5 straight-up.
• When looking at their past three home matchups, Ohio has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 84 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the underdog, the Golden Flashes have a straight up record of 3-7. Their record vs the spread in these games was 6-4.
• The Bobcats have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 5-0 straight up and 5-0 against the spread.

Rich Crew’s Total Pick

In the earlier matchup, Kent State had a rough game from behind the arc, which is typically a strength, going 4 for 23 (17.4%) and any improvement on that probably gets them into the 70s. Ohio typically scores in the high 70’s ast home (79.7 PPG) and has strung together three straight 83 plus point games (all on the road) and can get close to that tonight. Take the Over 148.5