Kent State Golden Flashes vs Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24

Betting on today’s Golden Flashes and Crimson Tide game? Catch the action at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL, as the Crimson Tide hosts this showdown at 1:00 ET on SECN. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Alabama as the -20.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 154 points.

KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES VS ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE BETTING PICK

The Pick: Kent State Golden Flashes +20.5

This game will be played at Coleman Coliseum at 1:00 ET on Sunday, December 22nd.

WHY BET THE KENT STATE GOLDEN FLASHES:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-72 in favor of the Crimson Tide.
• Even though we have Alabama winning straight-up, we like Kent State at +20.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 154 points, and we like the under with a projected 148 points.

Can the Kent State Offense Score Enough on the Road?

Kent State Golden Flashes Recent Game/Games

Kent State improved to 7-2 on the season with an 82-57 home win over Mercyhurst on Sunday. The Golden Flashes, who entered the game as 18-point favorites, covered the spread, while the combined 139 points went over the 127.5-point total.

Leading 36-24 at halftime, Kent State scored 46 points in the 2nd half while allowing 33 to Mercyhurst.

Kent State put up 82 points in their last game, shooting 47.5% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54.2%. They hit 53.8% of their two-point attempts and went 7-for-20 from beyond the arc, shooting 35% from three-point range. At the free-throw line, the Golden Flashes connected on 79.2% of their attempts, going 19-for-24.

On the offensive glass, Kent State grabbed 14 rebounds and dished out 15 assists. VonCameron Davis led the team with 17 points, while Jeff Planutis added 16. Cli’Ron Hornbeak, Marquis Barnett, and Jalen Sullinger each contributed 15 points, with Sullinger hitting 3 of 4 from three-point range.

Despite Kent State’s defense giving up 57 points, they allowed the opposing team to shoot 47% from the field, with 28 made field goals on 59 attempts. The Golden Flashes struggled to contain two-point shots, as their opponents connected on 21 of 39 attempts, good for 53%.

From beyond the arc, Kent State’s defense allowed 7 threes on 20 attempts, with the opposing team shooting 35% from three-point range. The Golden Flashes also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 19 free throws for a 79% success rate. Kent State gave up 14 offensive rebounds in the game.

Will the Crimson Tide Pull Through as the Favored Home Team?

Alabama improved to 9-2 on the season with a 97-90 win over North Dakota on Wednesday. Despite being heavy favorites at -26, the Crimson Tide didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 187 exceeded the O/U line of 167.5.

After trailing 38-35 at halftime, Alabama’s offense exploded for 62 points in the 2nd half, while allowing 52 points to North Dakota.

Alabama put up 97 points in their last game, shooting 52.4% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 60.3%. They were dominant inside, hitting 75.9% of their two-point attempts, while connecting on 32.4% from beyond the arc, making 11 threes.

Treysen Eaglestaff led the way with 40 points, hitting 8 threes at a 44.4% clip. Grant Nelson and Mark Sears each added 23 points, with Nelson grabbing 10 rebounds. Alabama also pulled down 16 offensive boards and dished out 14 assists.

Alabama’s defense struggled, giving up 90 points on 43% shooting from the field. They allowed 33 made field goals on 76 attempts.

From beyond the arc, Alabama’s opponents hit 17 threes on 41 attempts, shooting 41%. They also went 7/8 from the free-throw line.