Arkansas State vs UMKC 11/28/2021 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Kansas City Roos will travel to First National Bank Arena to take on the Arkansas State Red Wolves this Sunday afternoon in the Eracism Invitational.

The Kansas City Roos dropped to 3-3 on the season after being defeated by the Morehead State Eagles, 70-62, last night. Kansas City had no answers when it came to slowing down the Morehead State offense and could not fight back after the Eagles took a 51-39 lead midway through the 2^nd half. Kansas City shot 43.1% from the field & 36.4% from beyond the arc while allowing Morehead State to shoot 47.8% from the field & 53.3% from beyond the arc. Kansas City outrebounded Morehead State by a 34-29 margin, however, lost the turnover battle by a 10-6 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Roos was Josiah Allick who had 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, Kansas City is averaging 71.3 ppg on 47.4% shooting from the field. The Roos are averaging 7.8 three-pointers per game on 37.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Kansas City has been led by Evan Gilyard II (14.8 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.2 spg), Marvin Nesbitt Jr. (11.3 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.7 apg), Josiah Allick (10.8 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.8 apg), & Anderson Kopp (10.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.0 apg).

Defensively, Kansas City is holding their opponents to an average of 65.0 ppg on 42.7% shooting from the field. The Roos have a rebound margin of 3.5 and a turnover margin of 0.3.

The Arkansas State Red Wolves had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 3-2 on the season after being defeated by the Morehead State Eagles 75-51, this past Friday. Arkansas State had no answers on the offensive end for the Morehead State defense and could not fight back after going into halftime trailing by a 36-23 margin. Arkansas State shot just 37.3% from the field & 28.6% from beyond the arc while allowing Morehead State to shoot 53.3% from the field & 39.1% from beyond the arc. Arkansas State won the turnover battle by a 17-16 margin, however, was outrebounded by Morehead State by a 39-28 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Red Wolves was Desi Sills who had 15 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, Arkansas State is averaging 69.4 ppg on 42.2% shooting from the field. The Red Wolves are averaging 4.6 three-pointers per game on 29.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Arkansas State has been led by Desi Sills (13.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.8 spg), Norchad Omier (12.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.8 spg, 1.8 bpg), Marquis Eaton (9.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.0 spg), & Caleb Fields (9.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 5.2 apg).

Defensively, Arkansas State is allowing their opponents to average 69.0 ppg on 41.3% shooting from the field. The Red Wolves have a rebound margin of -1.6 and a turnover margin of 1.2.

The Roos are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Sunday games and 14-6-1 ATS in their last 21 road games. The Red Wolves are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following double-digit loss at home and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games.

Kansas City will be playing on back-to-back nights, however, I still like Kansas City in this one as I think their defense is better than what we saw last night and should have success slowing down an Arkansas State offense that comes into this game ranked just 233^rd in scoring offense, 246^th in FG%, & 339^th in three-pointers made per game. The Roos have an impressive, double-digit win at Missouri already this season and as I think the Roos bounce back from their loss last night with a strong performance here, I think the play is to take Kansas City and the points. Good Luck!