The Western Michigan Broncos (4-9) take on the Kent State Golden Flashes (10-3) Tuesday in their Mid American Conference opener. Tip from the M.A.C. Center is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Western Michigan vs. Kent State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Broncos fell to Wisconsin 76-66 Friday but covered as 20-point road underdogs. They have covered their last 2 games with a spread but had been on an 0-6 against the spread (ATS) skid and are 3-7 ATS on the season. Western Michigan’s strength is its defensive rebounding, ranking 7th in the nation with 26.5 rebounds per game.
Kent State last played on Dec. 22 when it knocked off UTEP 47-46, failing to cover a 6-point road favorite. It is 8-0 ATS in its last 8 games with a listed spread, improving to 10-1 ATS on the season. The Golden Flashes’ strength lies in their defense where they rank 23rd in the nation in points per game (60.8) and 12th in the nation for opponent field goal percentage (37.1%).
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Western Michigan at Kent State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:14 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Western Michigan +1150 (bet $100 to win $1,150) | Kent State -6000 (bet $6,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Western Michigan +18.5 (-110) | Kent State -18.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 135.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Western Michigan at Kent State picks and predictions
Prediction
Kent State 69, Western Michigan 54
Moneyline
PASS.
The moneyline odds do not present enough return on investment to make a play worth it.
Against the spread
LEAN WESTERN MICHIGAN +18.5 (-110).
I don’t think you can feel confident with Kent State covering 18.5 points. Western Michigan only lost to Wisconsin by 10 and to Iowa State by 16. The Broncos are 2-1 ATS when getting 18 or more points.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 135.5 (-110).
Points will be hard to come by as both teams’ strong suits is their defensive play.
Kent State has an Over/Under record of 2-8-1 this season and the Under is 4-0 in their last 4 games. Western Michigan’s O/U record is 5-5 and the Under is 4-2 in their last 6 games.
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