One of the best college hoops rivalries takes place Friday night, and I’m not talking about the Top 10 matchup between Michigan and Michigan State. Instead, it’ll take place in Ohio when Kent State makes the short 15-mile trip to battle Akron at the JAR.
The Golden Flashes (16-5 overall, 7-2 MAC) have won two consecutive games after losing to Miami (Ohio) last week in overtime. Their 15-point win over Ohio on Tuesday was their largest margin of victory against a Division I team this season.
Akron (17-4, 8-1) has won seven in a row, with its most recent loss also coming to Miami. The Zips lost that game by three but have won every other league game by double-digits. That game against Miami is looking more and more like it’ll be the deciding factor in who wins the MAC regular-season title.
Kent State has lost the last five matchups in this series, meaning a few upperclassmen who have been with the program their entire careers have never beaten their biggest rival. Can that change tonight?
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Kent State at Akron Odds
As of this writing, Akron is an 11.5-point college basketball betting odds favorite on BetMGM against Kent State, while the Over/Under is 169.5 points.
The Moneyline for Akron is -650 and +475 for Kent State.
Kent State at Akron on TV
The matchup between Kent State and Akron will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Tonight’s game tips off at 6 p.m. ET.
Kent State at Akron Prediction
I predict Kent State covers the 11.5-point spread. I also predict this game goes under 169.5 points.
There’s going to be plenty of talent on the court in this matchup and some candidates for MAC Player of the Year, especially in the front court.
Kent State typically has the advantage down low with Delrecco Gillespie and Rob Whaley. Both guys are excellent around the rim and at getting to the free-throw line, which is why KSU prioritizes getting the ball inside. Whaley is averaging 12.4 points and 4.1 rebounds per game, while Gillespie averages 19.1 points and a league-best 12.2 RPG.
The Zips have a front court that can match up with Gillespie and Whaley, however. Seniors Amani Lyles and Evan Mahaffey should be able to contest Kent State’s duo on both ends of the court.
On offense, they’re capable of stretching the floor, which will suck Gillespie out of the paint and open up the middle, making Akron’s motion offense that much more effective. Lyles is shooting 45% from outside.
Defensively, both guys have the length and athleticism to alter shots without committing any fouls.
Akron also has one of the best — if not the best — guards and all-around players in the league in Tavari Johnson. The 6-foot senior paces the Zips with 20.5 points and 5.6 assists per game. He’s also an excellent defender and snares 1.5 steals per game.
Johnson will be featured in another great matchup against Golden Flashes junior guard Cian Medley, who leads the league with 7.6 APG and adds 10.9 PPG.
With all the offensive weapons between these two squads, it’s no wonder they’re two of the top three scoring teams in the league. Akron is averaging 86.1 PPG while KSU is averaging 83.3.
However, they’re also two of the top defensive teams in the MAC.
Per KenPom, Akron owns an adjusted defensive efficiency of 103.6 in conference games, which is the best in the league. Kent State’s ADE of 108.3 is third-best. The Golden Flashes allow an effective field-goal percentage of 49.0%, and the Zips allow 49.8%. These are the two best marks in the MAC.
The playmakers in this game will be making plays, but with the way both teams can defend on the perimeter and on the inside, I think it’ll be more difficult for both squads offensively than usual.
Add in the fact that it’s a rivalry game, and there should be a lot of physicality. I don’t know if it’ll be very high scoring, even though both teams tend to play at a very fast pace.
I think Kent State will try to slow the game down, which will keep the Golden Flashes within arm’s reach. In the end, though, I think the Zips will pull away in front of a rowdy home crowd.
