Akron looks to extend its eight-game winning streak today when it visits Kent State in this Friday night MAC clash.
The Zips haven’t lost since Dec. 30, when they fell 76-75 at Princeton. They’re 15-5 overall and 8-0 in league play, putting them at the top of the conference. Akron couldn’t miss when it throttled second-place Miami (Ohio) last Saturday. The Zips knocked down 15 triples and shot 44% from 3 in the 102-75 victory. They followed that up with an 80-70 win over Northern Illinois on Tuesday.
Kent State (13-7, 4-4) let a win get away when it lost 61-59 at Ohio last Friday. The Golden Flashes had plenty of opportunities down the stretch to pull away but couldn’t. The Flashes defeated Bowling Green by 18 on Tuesday and sit tied with Eastern Michigan for fourth place in the conference.
The last time these programs met was in last year’s MAC title game where Akron won 62-61. The Flashes will try to avenge that loss in what has become one of the best mid-major rivalries.
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Akron at Kent State Odds
Kent State is a 1.5-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM against Akron while the Over/Under is at 144.5.
The Moneyline for Akron is at +104 and at -120 for Kent State.
Akron at Kent State On TV
The matchup between Akron and Kent State will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Tonight’s game tips off at 7 p.m. ET.
Akron at Kent State Prediction
I predict Kent State will get the close win here at home. I also predict this game will go under 144.5 points.
Akron has to lose a conference game at some point, right? Well, they don’t have to, but it’ll be very difficult for them to continue to remain unbeaten in league play.
This has a chance to be that regression spot for Akron and its hot offense.
Kent State is allowing just 64.2 points per game and, in conference games, has a defensive adjusted efficiency of 95.9, per KenPom. The Golden Flashes are allowing opponents to shoot 29% from deep in MAC play, which is the best mark in the league. Akron shoots 38% from the outside.
The Flashes aren’t the most efficient team — they shoot 40% from the field and 29% from 3 — but they make up for it with extra and extended possessions through turnovers and offensive rebounds. They force a turnover on 21.2% of opponents’ possessions and get an offensive board on 31% of possessions. Both rank first in the conference.
Those are the areas that can keep a potent offense like Akron from building a quick lead.
Senior Cli’ron Hornbeak leads the Flashes with 6.4 RPG, which ranks fourth in the conference. He’ll have a challenge against James Okonkwo, who is second in the MAC with 7.6 rebounds per game. Whoever wins the rebounding battle between these two could dictate who wins this game.
Six-foot-5 senior VonCameron Davis paces the Flashes with 15.9 PPG while Jalen Sullinger adds 12.2 points per night. Cian Medley has been playing well as of late and is coming off a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double against BGSU. I expect him to make some big plays.
The Zips have a pair of all-conference guards in Nate and Tavari Johnson. Nate is averaging 13.4 points, 4.7 boards, 3.4 assists, and two steals per game while Tavari averages 12.6 PPG and 4.2 APG. Akron has six guys that score at least 8.1 PPG.
Akron loves to play fast and has an adjusted tempo of 71.6. They will try and make this a track meet, and Kent State isn’t at its best in those situations. The Zips’ defense has been solid in MAC play and has an opponent field-goal percentage of 38%, the best in the conference. Their ADE of 92 is second-best in the MAC.
If this game were being played on a neutral court, I would give the edge to the Zips, but I think Kent State defends its home court and Akron regresses some offensively.
All of Akron’s five losses have come when it’s been an underdog. Kent State is 9-5 against the spread as a favorite and the total has gone over in only two of their wins.
