Akron Zips vs Kent State Golden Flashes NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/31/25
Don’t miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Zips and Golden Flashes. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on CBSS, and it’s hosted by the Golden Flashes at MAC Center in Kent, OH. Get ready to place your bets! The odds for this Mid-American conference game currently have Kent State as the -1.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 143.5 points.
AKRON ZIPS VS KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES BETTING PICK
The Pick: Kent State Golden Flashes -1.5
This game will be played at MAC Center at 7:00 ET on Friday, January 31st.
WHY BET THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Golden Flashes.
- Not only will Kent State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -1.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 143.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Will the Zips Pull Through as the Away Underdog?
Akron Zips Recent Game/Games
Akron improved to 13-5 on the season with an 80-70 win over Northern Illinois on Tuesday. The Zips were -15.5 favorites going into the game, but they didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game were 150, just under the O/U line of 154.5.
Akron led 37-33 at halftime and outscored the Huskies 43-37 in the second half to secure the win. While they got the victory, they didn’t dominate as much as expected, considering the pre-game odds.
Akron’s offense put up 80 points in their last game, shooting 42.9% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 50.8%, with a strong 56.7% inside the arc, while they hit 30.3% from three, going 10-for-33. At the free-throw line, they connected on 76.2%, making 16 of 21 attempts.
Quentin Jones led the way with 25 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 56.2% overall. James Dent Jr. added 22 points, hitting 4 threes at a 40% clip. Tavari Johnson contributed 21 points in just 26 minutes, shooting 63.6% from the field, including 50% from deep.
Akron’s defense held their opponent to 70 points on 39% shooting from the field, with 22 made baskets on 56 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 15 two-point field goals on 33 attempts, a 45% shooting rate.
From three-point range, Akron’s defense gave up 7 made threes on 23 attempts, a 30% shooting percentage. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 29 times, where they converted 19, shooting 65%. Akron limited second-chance opportunities, allowing just 5 offensive rebounds.
Can Kent State Grab a Win at Home?
Kent State Golden Flashes Recent Game/Games
Kent State improved to 11-7 on the season with a 75-57 win over Bowling Green on Tuesday. The Golden Flashes, who were -12 favorites, covered the spread in the victory.
Kent State took control early, leading 41-23 at halftime. Both teams scored 34 points in the 2nd half, and the game’s total points of 132 fell short of the 141.5 O/U line.
In their last game, Kent State put up 75 points, shooting 51.9% from the field and 45.5% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 61.1%, with 10 made threes on 22 attempts.
VonCameron Davis led the way with 24 points, hitting 4 of 7 from three and shooting 62.5% overall. Marcus Johnson added 21 points, also connecting on 4 threes. Cian Medley contributed 12 points and dished out 10 assists.
Despite a strong defensive effort, Kent State gave up 57 points while allowing their opponent to shoot 51% from the field. The Golden Flashes struggled to contain two-point attempts, with their opponent hitting 56% of their shots inside the arc.
From three-point range, Kent State’s defense allowed 10 threes on 22 attempts, a 45% shooting performance. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 13 times, where they converted 9 of those attempts.