Kent State vs Ohio 2/18/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Ohio Bobcats will travel to the M.A.C. Center to take on the Kent State Golden Flashes this Friday night in College Basketball action.

The Ohio Bobcats won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 22-4 on the season after defeating the Miami (OH) RedHawks, 91-78, this past Tuesday. Ohio was outstanding on the offensive end against Miami (OH) and was able to pull away in the 2^nd half after taking a 79-67 lead with 4:13 left in regulation. Ohio shot 50.9% from the field & 39.3% from beyond the arc while allowing Miami (OH) to shoot 47.7% from the field & 48.1% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bobcats was Ben Vander Plas who had a double-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 block, & 3 steals.

On the season, Ohio is averaging 75.3 ppg on 44.2% shooting from the field. The Bobcats are averaging 9.1 three-pointers per game on 34.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Ohio has been led by Mark Sears (20.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.8 spg), Jason Carter (14.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.2 spg), Ben Vander Plas (13.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.8 spg), & Miles Brown (6.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensively, Ohio is allowing their opponents to average 66.7 ppg on 43.9% shooting from the field. The Bobcats have a rebound margin of 0.0 and a turnover margin of 4.2.

The Kent State Golden Flashes won their 7^th straight game and improved to 16-9 on the season after defeating the Toledo Rockets, 72-59, this past Tuesday night. Kent State was outstanding on the defensive end against Toledo and held a solid lead throughout the 2^nd half after going into halftime with a 36-20 lead. Kent State shot 49.1% from the field & 29.4% from beyond the arc while holding Toledo to just 35.5% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Golden Flashes was Sincere Carry who had 23 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, & 1 steal.

On the season, Kent State is averaging 70.5 ppg on 43.9% shooting from the field. The Golden Flashes are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 32.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Kent State has been led by Sincere Carry (17.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.4 spg), Malique Jacobs (11.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.5 spg), Giovanni Santiago (8.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.1 spg), & Justyn Hamilton (8.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.5 bpg).

Defensviely, Kent State is holding their opponents to an average of 63.9 ppg on 40.3% shooting from the field. The Golden Flashes have a rebound margin of 3.5 and a turnover margin of 1.4.

The Bobcats are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games, however, are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. MAC-East opponents. The Golden Flashes are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games & 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.

Ohio is no doubt one of the best teams in the MAC, led by a balanced attack that ranks 75^th in scoring offense & t-112^th in scoring defense, however, they are running into a Kent State team that is arguably playing the best basketball in the MAC after picking up impressive road victories at Akron & Toledo. Kent State is 8-4 at home on the season, and as I think their defense, which ranks 42^nd in scoring defense & 39^th in defensive FG%, will have success slowing down the Ohio offense, I’m taking the Golden Flashes to cover this small home spread. Good Luck!