Kent State vs Central Michigan 12/29/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Central Michigan Chippewas will travel to the M.A.C. Center to take on the Kent State Golden Flashes this Wednesday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The Central Michigan Chippewas lost their 8^th straight game and dropped to 1-10 on the season after being defeated by the Detroit Titans, 89-75, on December 19^th. Central Michigan has no answers on the defensive end against Detroit and could not fight back after the Titans took a 77-68 lead with 3:23 left in regulation. Central Michigan shot 41.9% from the field & 40.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Detroit to shoot 46.8% from the field & 42.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Chippewas was Oscar Lopez Jr. who had a double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, Central Michigan is averaging 64.5 ppg on 41.3% shooting from the field. The Chippewas are averaging 8.5 three-pointers per game on 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Central Michigan has been led by Jermaine Jackson Jr. (11.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.0 apg), Oscar Lopez Jr. (10.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.6 apg), Kevin Miller (9.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.2 spg), & Ralph Bissainthe (8.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.6 spg).

Defensively, Central Michigan is allowing their opponents to average 84.1 ppg on 48.9% shooting from the field. The Chippewas have a rebound margin of -8.9 and a turnover margin of -3.4.

The Kent State Golden Flashes lost their 2^nd straight game and dropped to 5-5 on the season after being defeated by Southern Jaguars, 78-76, on December 19^th. Kent State held a 73-60 lead with just 4:25 left in regulation, however, the Kent State defense struggled down the stretch and Southern was able to pull off the come from behind victory after a P.J. Byrd hit a game-winning layup with just :01 second left in regulation. Kent State shot 51.0% from the field & 30.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Southern to shoot 46.0% from the field & 27.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Golden Flashes was Sincere Carry who had 14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, & 2 steals.

On the season, Kent State is averaging 70.5 ppg on 44.7% shooting from the field. The Golden Flashes are averaging 8.0 three-pointers per game on 33.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Kent State has been led by Sincere Carry (15.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.3 spg), Malique Jacobs (11.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.3 spg), Justyn Hamilton (10.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.3 bpg), & Giovanni Santiago (9.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.7 spg).

Defensively, Kent State is holding their opponents to an average of 61.3 ppg on 39.7% shooting from the field. The Golden Flashes have a rebound margin of 3.1 and a turnover margin of 2.0.

The Chippewas are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 Wednesday games & 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. The Golden Flashes are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight up loss & 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Central Michigan has struggled on both ends of the court this season as the Chippewas come into this game ranked just 306^th in scoring offense, 347^th in scoring defense, & 345^th in defensive FG%. Kent State has struggled a bit on the offense end as the Golden Flashes currently rank just t-218^th in scoring offense, however, Kent State has been solid defensively as they come into this game ranked 45^th in scoring defense & 73^rd in defensive FG%.

Kent State has a very disappointing loss in a game they looked like they had well in hand against Southern, however, it’s hard no to like the Golden Flashes to bounce back against a Central Michigan team that has been awful on both ends of the court this season and come into this game with just a 1-6 road record. Kent State’s defense should have no trouble on their home court holding Central Michigan to around 60 points and as I think the Golden Flashes offense will have some success in this one, I’m taking Kent State to cover this double-digit home spread. Good Luck!