The Akron Zips (23-7, 13-4 MAC) and Kent State Golden Flashes (19-11, 9-8 MAC) bring the regular season to a close when they square off at James A. Rhodes Arena. The game starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 6, 2020, and will air on CBS Sports Network.
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Akron Zips Free Prediction
The Golden Flashes will be hoping for similar success after topping the Bowling Green Falcons in their last game, 83-69. Kent State’s 0.545 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Bowling Green, who had a mark of 0.381. The Golden Flashes’ mark was above their season average of 0.523, while the Falcons’ was below their season average of 0.482. Kent State was lifted by Danny Pippen, who was the game’s high scorer with 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting.
In the Zips’ last game, they defeated the Ohio Bobcats, 74-67. The Zips made 20 of their 25 free throws (80.0 percent), while the Bobcats had a turnover percentage of 20.0 (above their season average of 16.4). With 17 points, seven assists and five steals, Akron’s Tyler Cheese had a good performance.
The aggressive Akron offense might be getting to the foul line a lot in this battle. The Zips currently rank 65th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.265, while Kent State ranks 221st in FTA rate allowed (0.234).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Pippen scored a game-high 20 points in the first game, in which the Golden Flashes defeated the Zips 68-67. He also had 12 rebounds. The Golden Flashes had a better effective field goal percentage (0.491 vs. 0.458) and had a better free throw rate (0.211 vs. 0.200).
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Akron Zips Free Pick
Free Prediction: ATS Winner – Kent State, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Akron ranks 24th in assists allowed per game (10.2) while Kent State ranks 135th (12.5).
The Golden Flashes rank 118th in rebounds per game (36.2) while the Zips rank 216th in rebounds allowed per game (36.6).
Kent State ranks 47th in blocks per game (4.3) while Akron ranks 143rd (2.9).
The Zips rank 42nd in three pointers attempted per game (25.6) while the Golden Flashes rank 137th in three pointers allowed per game (21.3).
Kent State ranks 29th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while Akron ranks 98th (6.1).
The Golden Flashes have been outscored by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. For the season, Kent State has defeated opponents by an average of 6.5 points.
During their last five games, the Zips have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (2.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.0 points per game (3.8 above their season average).