Kent State vs Akron 1/14/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Akron Zips and Kent State Golden Flashes meet Friday in college basketball action at the M.A.C. Center. The Akron Zips look for a win after winning seven of their last eight games. The Kent State Golden Flashes need a win after losing five of their last seven games.

The Akron Zips are averaging 74.2 points on 46 percent shooting and allowing 62.5 points on 41.6 percent shooting. Ali Ali is averaging 14 points and 3.1 rebounds, while Xavier Castaneda is averaging 12.6 points and 2.5 assists. Enrique Freeman is the third double-digit scorer and Bryan Trimble Jr. is grabbing 2.3 rebounds. The Akron Zips are shooting 35.2 percent from beyond the arc and 65.2 percent from the free throw line. The Akron Zips are allowing 32.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.1 rebounds per game.

The Kent State Golden Flashes are averaging 69.4 points on 41.9 percent shooting and allowing 63.9 points on 40.7 percent shooting. Sincere Carry is averaging 17.3 points and 4.7 rebounds, while Malique Jacobs is averaging 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds. Justyn Hamilton is grabbing 6.4 rebounds and Giovanni Santiago is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Kent State Golden Flashes are shooting 29.5 percent from beyond the arc and 80.2 percent from the free throw line. The Kent State Golden Flashes are allowing 30.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 32.4 rebounds per game.

The Zips are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Friday games and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Golden Flashes are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 home games and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The over is 6-2 in Zips last 8 overall. The under is 11-4-1 in Golden Flashes last 16 overall.

We’re getting a free bucket with the team in better form that’s also covered six of its last eight games. The Akron Zips are simply playing the better ball this season, and they have comfortably the better offense heading into this spot. The Kent State Golden Flashes aren’t having a ton of success as of late, and their offense really struggles to control the pace or find success in the half court. You could argue the wrong team is favored here. Give me Akron and the free bucket.