The Buffalo Bulls (19-9, 13-5 MAC) and Kent State Golden Flashes (20-9, 15-4) close out their respective regular-season slates Friday in Kent, Ohio. The contest at the M.A.C. Center is slated to tip off at 6 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Buffalo vs. Kent State odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Buffalo went just 4-5 over a nine-game stretch from Dec. 18-Jan. 28, but the Bulls have rallied to go 9-1 since. The one loss came in their last game, a 92-76 setback against 24-win Toledo, which leads the MAC by one game over Kent State. Buffalo figures as one of the fastest teams in the MAC and also as the league’s top rebounding squad. The Bulls have averaged 14.6 offensive rebounds per game over their last 10.
The Flashes tote an 11-game win streak into Friday’s early-evening tussle. Buffalo was the last team to beat Kent State, claiming a 64-51 victory as a 7-point home favorite Jan. 21. Kent State is 13-1 in its last 14 outings, 6-0 in its last six conference home games, and as mentioned, trails Toledo by one game in the MAC standings.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Buffalo at Kent State odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:42 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Buffalo +120 (bet $100 to win $120) | Kent State -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Buffalo +2.5 (-115) | Kent State -2.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 144.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Buffalo at Kent State odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Buffalo 75, Kent State 71
Money line
Buffalo is a senior-laden group, which has played well on the road. The fast-tempo Bulls sometimes underperform expectations against other quick fives. Slow-down Kent State – albeit a quicker team of late – won’t pose that problem. UB has shot a rock-solid 38.5% from beyond the arc over its last seven games.
That distance shooting and their rebounding make the BULLS (+120) a slight value.
Against the spread
If you’re not interested in backing the upset on the money line, BETTING BUFFALO +2.5 (-115) is worth a small wager here.
Buffalo has covered four in a row in the head-to-head series and seven of the last eight.
Over/Under
Expect a different pace than their first meeting of the season, which finished 33.5 points Under an O/U line of 148.5.
Buffalo averages 80.9 points per game (PPG), which ranks ninth in the country. Kent State, which averages 71.3 PPG, has played higher pace games of later, scoring 77.6 PPG during its 11-game win streak.
BACK THE OVER 144.5 (-115).
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