Akron Zips (13-4) vs. Kent State Golden Flashes (9-8)
January 19, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Kent State Golden Flashes +1; Over/Under: 143
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The Akron Zips and the Kent State Golden Flashes meet Friday in college basketball action from Kent State Mac Center. Akron enters this one at 13-4 on the year after a win over Western Michigan in their last matchup. As for Kent State, they’re sitting at 9-8 overall after a win over Northern Illinois on Tuesday. Let’s get into our Akron vs. Kent State prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Akron Zips
The Zips won their first four games this year, then took losses to Utah State, Drake and UNLV in the next three. Akron has since beaten Bradley, Northern Kentucky, Miami-OH Hamilton, Gardner-Webb, Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Ball State, Buffalo and Western Michigan since then.
In the matchup with Western Michigan on Tuesday, the Zips were down by two points at halftime. Akron hit a 50-37 run from there however and took the comeback win 77-66. Leading the way was Enrique Freeman with a double-double on 20 points and 14 rebounds with one steal.
Kent State Golden Flashes
Over on the Kent State side, they won seven of their first 10 games this year, otherwise falling to James Madison, Missouri State and Charleston. The Flashes are a sketchy 2-5 since then with losses to Oregon, Saint Mary’s, Eastern Michigan, Toledo and Central Michigan, though.
Matched up against Northern Illinois back on Tuesday, the Flashes were able to get back into the win column. Kent State went into the second half with a five-point lead and hit a 43-41 stretch from there in an 83-76 win. Tops in scoring were VonCameron Davis and Reggie Bass, each with 23 points.
ANDREW’S FREE AKRON VS KENT STATE PREDICTION
I’m staying with Akron here. The Zips are on a nice run these days and shot quite well (50.9 percent) in their last win over Western Michigan. Akron also hit 12 of 14 from the line (85.7 percent with 32 rebounds and just nine turnovers in that one. During their current five-game win streak, the Zips have hit 73 or more points in every outing.
As for Kent State, they’re on a sketchy run these days but they haven’t been scoring too badly. The Flashes have hit 69 or more points in four of their last five and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them hit that threshold in this one. Ultimately however I don’t think they’ll keep a cover pace if Akron is playing well.
