The Kent State Golden Flashes (19-5, 9-2 MAC) battle the Buffalo Bulls (12-12, 6-5) Friday. Tip from Alumni Arena is at 6 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Kent State vs. Buffalo odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
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The Bulls and Golden Flashes will face off for the 2nd time this season. Kent State won the 1st meeting 74-68 at home on Jan. 27, but failed to cover as a 10.5-point favorite.
Buffalo is coming off a 102-97 win over Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, failing to cover as a 10-point home favorite. The Bulls are 3-2 against the spread (ATS) in their last 5 and 12-9-1 ATS on the season.
Kent State has the best record in the MAC and is 15-7 ATS. It is coming off an 87-64 win over Bowling Green State University, covering as a 13.5-point favorite. The Golden Flashes are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 and 5-5 ATS in the last 10.
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Kent State at Buffalo odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:11 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Kent State -4.5 (-110) | Buffalo +4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 150.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Kent State at Buffalo picks and predictions
Prediction
Kent State 79, Buffalo 76
Moneyline
Not available, but Kent State as a road favorite isn’t worth the expected steep price.
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Against the spread
LEAN BUFFALO +4.5 (-110).
Kent State has failed to cover in 2 straight road games. While 15-7 ATS on the season, it is just 5-6 ATS in conference games. Buffalo is 6-5 ATS in Mid-American Conference games. The Bulls are 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games as well.
They have an efficient attack, ranking 71st in the nation in field goal percentage (46.5%). Considering Buffalo is 9-3 straight up at home while Kent State is 6-5 straight up on the road, Buffalo is an enticing play.
Back BUFFALO +4.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 150.5 (-105).
Buffalo has gone Over in 2 straight games and in 3 of its last 5. It has scored at least 85 points in 2 straight games.
Kent State has scored at least 80 in 2 of its last 3 games as well, and it has topped its projected total in 4 of its last 6. The Bulls are 12-10 O/U on the season and 6-5 O/U in conference games.
Ultimately, back the OVER 150.5 (-105).
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