It will be a battle between MAC opponents when the Bowling Green Falcons (9-4) welcome the Kent State Golden Flashes (10-3) to the Stroh Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, January 3, 2020, and will air on CBS Sports Network.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 145.5 points with Bowling Green set as a 2.5-point favorite at DraftKings.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Bowling Green Falcons Free Prediction
The Golden Flashes are hoping for a better outcome after failing to cover as 7.5-point underdogs in their 96-68 loss to the Mississippi State Bulldogs in their last outing. The game’s total points (164) finished well over the projected point total of 137.5. Getting to the free throw line was one of Mississippi State’s largest advantages. They made 38 trips to the line, while Kent State went just 16 times. Anthony Roberts was Kent State’s leading scorer with 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting.
In the Falcons’ previous outing, they beat the Hartford Hawks, 81-68, but failed to cover as 13.5-point favorites. The combined points for the game (149) were over the projected point total of 140.5. The Falcons made 18 of their 21 free throws (85.7 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 13.1). Justin Turner was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field.
After the Falcons won both games against the Golden Flashes last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last matchup, Bowling Green won 77-72. Bowling Green had a much better free throw rate (0.347 vs. 0.130). Kent State, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (47.6 vs. 27.6).
Kent State heads into the contest with records of 10-3 straight up (SU) and 6-4-1 against the spread (ATS). Golden Flashes games have finished over the total 54.5 percent of the time.
Bowling Green has a respectable 9-4 SU record, but they are just 4-6-1 ATS. Games involving the Falcons also have finished over the total 54.5 percent of the time.
The productive offense of Kent State will clash against the mid-tier defense of Bowling Green. The Golden Flashes currently rank 37th in offensive efficiency, while the Falcons are 151st in defensive efficiency. The Golden Flashes should have the advantage on that end of the court.
Kent State vs. Bowling Green ATS Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: ATS Winner – Bowling Green, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Kent State is 2-3-1 ATS on the road with 4 overs and 2 unders.
At home, Bowling Green is 0-3-1 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders.
Kent State ranks 32nd in three pointers attempted per game (27.1) while Bowling Green ranks 208th in three pointers allowed per game (24.4).
The Golden Flashes rank 91st in rebounds per game (37.7) while the Falcons rank 232nd in rebounds allowed per game (38.8).
Kent State ranks 29th in blocks per game (5.0) while Bowling Green ranks 139th (2.7).
The Golden Flashes average 15.0 assists per game, which ranks 57th in the country. The Falcons rank 102nd in assists allowed per game (12.2).
Kent State ranks 20th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while Bowling Green ranks 29th (5.3).
In its last five contests, Kent State is 2-2-1 ATS with 5 overs.
Bowling Green is 0-5 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Golden Flashes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, down from 12.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Falcons have scored an average of 70.4 points per game (6.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.4 points per game (4.6 below their season average).