Kent State vs South Dakota State 12/2/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the Kent State Golden Flashes meet Friday in college basketball action from Kent State Mac Center. South Dakota State is 3-4 overall this year. The Jackrabbits are coming off a 19-point loss to James Madison. As for Kent State, they’re 5-2 so far after a loss to Houston in their last game. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

South Dakota State posted a 2-1 record over their first three games this year, beating Boise State and St. Bonaventure. After losses in the next pair to Arkansas and Stephen F. Austin, the Jackrabbits beat Valparaiso last Friday. 

In Saturday’s matchup versus James Madison, South Dakota State trailed 37-29 by halftime. The Jackrabbits didn’t get any closer in a 79-60 defeat. Tops in scoring was Zeke Mayo with 16 points and three rebounds. 

Over on the Kent State side, they got off to a nice start with a five-game win streak. The Flashes beat Northern Kentucky, Baldwin Wallace, Portland, AR-Pine Bluff and Chicago State before a loss to Charleston. 

On Saturday versus Houston, Kent State had a tough matchup. The Flashes were able to hang around but only scored 22 points in each half for a 49-44 loss. VonCameron Davis topped the team with 14 points, and Malique Jacobs added 11 points and seven boards. 

PICK: I’m going to stay with Kent State. The Flashes have a couple of losses in their last two games but both were very close. Kent State shot just 23.8 percent from the floor with 33 rebounds against a great Houston squad in their last game. That said, the Flashes made things interesting with 14 steals and 23 Houston turnovers. Kent State has hit 72 or more points in all six of their other games, so you can expect the Flashes to turn on the offense against South Dakota State. I don’t think the Jackrabbits will keep up.