Illinois State vs Kent State Prediction 3/18/26 College Basketball Picks Today

The Kent State Golden Flashes and Illinois State Redbirds meet Wednesday in the college basketball NIT at the CEFCU Arena. Here’s an Illinois State vs. Kent State prediction. This article will include an Illinois State vs. Kent State pick.

Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview

The Kent State Golden Flashes lost to Akron and beat Ohio. Kent State has won 7 of its last 9 games.

The Kent State Golden Flashes are averaging 85.1 points on 45.2 percent shooting and allowing 79.7 points on 43.7 percent shooting. Delrecco Gillespie is averaging 18.1 points and 11.2 rebounds, while Morgan Safford is averaging 14.2 points and 1.4 assists. Rob Whaley Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Cian Medley is grabbing 2.2 rebounds. The Kent State Golden Flashes are shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 74.2 percent from the free throw line. The Kent State Golden Flashes are allowing 34.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 36.1 rebounds per game.

Illinois State Redbirds Betting Preview

The Illinois State Redbirds beat Belmont and lost to Northern Iowa. Illinois State has split its last 10 games.

The Illinois State Redbirds are averaging 78.4 points on 47 percent shooting and allowing 70.6 points on 43.3 percent shooting. Chase Walker is averaging 13.5 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Johnny Kinziger is averaging 11.4 points and 2.5 rebounds. Ty’Reek Coleman is the third double-digit scorer, and Boden Skunberg is grabbing 4.4 rebounds. The Illinois State Redbirds are shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 70.3 percent from the free throw line. The Illinois State Redbirds are allowing 32.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game.

Why the Illinois State Redbirds will win

• Illinois State has won each of its last eight games against non-conference opponents at CEFCU Arena.
• Kent State has lost each of its last five games against the Missouri Valley Conference.
• Illinois State has won the first half in each of its last 11 night games against non-conference opponents at CEFCU Arena.

Why the Kent State Golden Flashes will win

• Illinois State has lost each of its last four games when playing with a rest advantage.
• Kent State has won 16 of its last 19 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Kent State has won the first half in four of its last five night games against non-conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Kent State’s last six night games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 161+ points.
• Each of Illinois State’s last five night games has produced a total of 150 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Illinois State ranks 11th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (68.3%).
• Illinois State ranks 41st among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (6.5).
• Kent State ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (19.5).
• Kent State ranks 7th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (26.4).

Illinois State vs Kent State Prediction

Kent State hasn’t had much success on the road this season or covering numbers. However, Illinois State has been hit or miss all year and has sprinkled in some horrible losses. We saw Illinois State lose to Evansville as a double-digit favorite a little more than a month ago. Before that, Illinois State lost at home to Southern Illinois. Illinois State is usually good at home, but this team can drop a stinker out of nowhere. Kent State can score the ball at an above-average level. If shots are falling, Illinois State will have its hands full. Give me the points.