Kent State vs. Toledo Pick: Game Preview and Prediction

Kent State Golden Flashes (15-16 SU, 9-19 ATS) vs. Toledo Rockets (20-11 SU, 15-16 ATS)

When: Thursday, March 14th, 11:00 PM (ET)

Where: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, OH, Cleveland

TV: ESPN+

Point Spread: KENTST +5.5/TOLEDO -5.5

Total: 152

Money Line: Kent State Golden Flashes +192/-241

Notable Injuries

Golden Flashes

• Chris Payton (Out) Undisclosed

Rockets

Recent Form

After losing to Toledo by a score of 86-71 in their last game, Kent State will look to snap their two-game losing streak as they enter today’s game as a 5.5-point underdog. So far this season, the Golden Flashes have gone 15-16, including a 7-10 record in Mid-American Conference games.

On the road, Kent State has gone just 4-10 this season, and they have lost their last five road games. Over their last 10 games away from home, they are 3-7, and their average scoring margin on the road this season is -3.1 points per game.

The over/under record for Kent State this season is 17-11 and the average scoring total in their games is 147.6 points. Today’s over/under line of 152 is higher than the average over/under line in their games (144.6) and there have been 25 games with a lower over/under line than today. In their last three games, the over/under record is 3-0 and the average scoring total is 151 points.

Overall, Kent State has an ATS record of 9-19 this season. As the underdog, the Golden Flashes are just 2-6 vs. the spread this year. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, Kent State has gone 3-7 ATS.

The Rockets have won three straight, and they are 16-5 when favored this season. Their record in the Mid-American Conference is 14-4 going 6-3 in road games nd 4-5 versus the betting line.

On the year, Toledo has gone 20-11, and they have a record of 6-7 in non-conference games. In their last game, the Rockets defeated Kent State by a score of 86-71. So far, they have gone 8-6 on the road, and their average scoring differential on the road is +3.3 points per game.

Today’s over/under line of 151.5 is lower than the average over/under line in Toledo’s games this season (154.7). Their over/under record this year is 17-14. Over their last three games, the over/under record is 3-0, and the average scoring total in those games is 160 points.

As the favorite this season, Toledo has gone 9-12 vs. the spread. At home, the Rockets’ ATS mark is 8-9. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, Toledo is 5-5 vs. the spread.

Analysis

Coming off their recent game, the Kent State offense tallied 71 points in a matchup against Toledo. Their field goal percentage for the game was 42.4%, and they made eight threes. In terms of offense, the Golden Flashes have a season-long field goal percentage of 44%, putting them 244th in the NCAA. Regarding three-pointers, they are ranked 118th in percentage and 89th in three-pointers made.

In terms of defense, Kent State is currently on par with the NCAA average for points allowed, giving up an average of 72.4 points per game. Kent State’s defense is coming off a game in which it allowed the Toledo offense to knock down 51% of its shots, putting up 86 points.

Toledo scored 86 points in their game against Kent State, surpassing their season average of 80.7 points per game. Ra’Heim Moss scored 21 points for the Rockets, while Dante Maddox Jr. added 18.

The Rockets’ defense is presently ranked 279th nationally, allowing an average of 76.4 points per contest. On average, opposing teams are hitting 7.6 threes per game vs. Kent State. This has come on a three-point shooting percentage of 34.7%.

Betting Trends

• In their last five games away from home, the Golden Flashes have a straight-up record of 0-5 while going 0-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 67 points per game in this stretch.
• Although Toledo has a straight-up record of 3-2 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs. the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 89 points per game in these games.
• In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Golden Flashes have a straight-up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 1-4.
• Against the spread, the Rockets have put together a record of 2-3 in their last five games as the betting favorite. In these same games, they went 3-2 straight up.

Rich Crew’s Total Pick

Take the Under 152