The Fresno State Bulldogs and the Kent State Golden Flashes meet Saturday in college basketball action from Kent State Mac Center. Fresno State managed an 11-point win over Fresno Pacific in their opener to start the season on a high note. As for Kent State, they’re 1-1 so far this season following a tough loss at home to James Madison. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Fresno State Bulldogs 

The Bulldogs are coming off a pretty rough campaign last season, ultimately finishing just 11-20 overall with a 6-12 record in Mountain West games. Fresno State ended up ahead of only Air Force and Wyoming in the standings. In the first game of the conference tournament, the Bulldogs lost to Colorado State 67-65 to end their year. 

Fresno State matched up against Fresno Pacific in their opener on Monday. The Bulldogs posted a 33-24 advantage in the first half and scored 44 more points from there in a 77-66 win. Xavier DuSell put up 19 points to lead the team, while Eduardo Andre added 17 points with nine rebounds. 

Kent State Golden Flashes

Over on the Golden Flashes’ side, they started a bit slowly with a sketchy 36-33 advantage over Malone in their season opener on Monday. Kent State turned it on in the second however, and ended up winning 79-58.  Tops in scoring was Giovanni Santiago with 15 points and four rebounds. Reggie Bass chipped in 14 points as well. 

Game two versus James Madison marked a big uptick in competition, and Kent State couldn’t hang around in the end. The Flashes lasted through two overtimes but ultimately fell short 113-108. Jalen Sullinger was the leading scorer this time with 30 points, and Santiago doubled up on 10 points and 11 assists with four rebounds. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with Kent State. The Flashes need a good bounce back here after a frustrating 2OT loss, though. Kent State shot a decent 41.3 percent from the field in that defeat and owned the rebounding edge 51-42. Defensively the Golden Flashes allowed a pretty stellar 48.6 percent shooting (17-of-35) from 3-point range however, which was what buried the team in the end. 

As for Fresno State, they were steady but not overwhelming in their opener matchup versus Fresno Pacific. The Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field but also got out-rebounded 37-30 by a team they should have owned. That said, I don’t think Fresno State will play too badly here; I just don’t think they’ll keep the cover pace.