The Kent State Golden Flashes (18-4, 8-1 MAC) will take on the Akron Zips (16-6, 8-1) on Friday at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Kent State vs. Akron odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Golden Flashes defeated Central Michigan 81-69 on Tuesday, failing to cover as 19-point favorites at home. Kent State is currently on a 2-game winning streak and has won 9 of its last 10 games.
The Zips beat Buffalo 81-64 on Tuesday to cover as 2.5-point favorites on the road. Akron has won 7 games in a row and has won 9 of its last 10 games.
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Kent State at Akron odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:26 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Kent State -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Akron -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Kent State +1.5 (-115) | Akron -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Kent State at Akron picks and predictions
Prediction
Akron 77, Kent State 73
Moneyline
I would be comfortable taking AKRON (-125) at -150 odds or better. The Zips haven’t lost at home this season and they’ve won 7 straight conference games.
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Against the spread
AKRON -1.5 (-105) is the lean here with how the Zips have played recently. While Kent State is also a talented team, Akron is 11-0 at home and we only need a win by at least 2 points.
The Golden Flashes are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS loss. Meanwhile, the Zips are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Over/Under
OVER 133.5 (-105) is how I’d confidently play the total in this game with how these teams can score the basketball. Kent State averages 75.5 points per game (89th in the nation) and Akron averages 72.2 points per game (168th in the nation) this season.
The Zips have hit the Over in 4 of their last 5 home games.
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