The Kent State Golden Flashes (10-3), 2.5-point underdogs, will be at the Stroh Center to square off with the Bowling Green Falcons (9-4) in a MAC matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 145.5 points and it can be seen on CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, January 3, 2020.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Bowling Green Falcons ATS Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last matchup. The Falcons (13.5-point favorites) defeated the Hartford Hawks, 81-68, while the Golden Flashes (7.5-point underdogs) fell to the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 96-68. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Bowling Green game finished 8.5 points over the projected point total of 140.5, while the Kent State game finished 26.5 points over the projected point total of 137.5.
Bowling Green played a nearly perfect contest. They had a great free throw rate of 0.295 (above their season average of 0.202) and a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 13.1). Hartford was 0.132 and 14.8, respectively, for those same stats. Kent State, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (17.1 vs. 14.2). Bowling Green was lifted by Justin Turner, who finished with 22 points. Anthony Roberts had a good game for Kent State, finishing with 16 points.
The Falcons dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the most recent game, Bowling Green won 77-72. Getting to the free throw line was one of Bowling Green’s largest strengths. They made 27 trips to the line, while Kent State went just 12 times. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Of the Golden Flashes’ 11 games that accepted bets, six have finished over the projected point total. Kent State comes into the contest with records of 10-3 straight up (SU) and 6-4-1 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with Kent State, a little over half of Falcons games have finished over the total. Bowling Green is 9-4 SU, but they are just 4-6-1 ATS.
The productive offense of Kent State will square off against the mid-tier defense of Bowling Green. The Golden Flashes currently rank 37th in offensive efficiency, while the Falcons are 151st in defensive efficiency. The Golden Flashes should have the edge on that side of the ball.
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Bowling Green Falcons Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Kent State, ATS Winner – Kent State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Kent State ranks 32nd in three pointers attempted per game (27.1) while Bowling Green ranks 208th in three pointers allowed per game (24.4).
- The Golden Flashes average 15.0 assists per game, which ranks 57th in the country. The Falcons rank 102nd in assists allowed per game (12.2).
- Kent State ranks 20th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while Bowling Green ranks 29th (5.3).
- The Golden Flashes rank 91st in rebounds per game (37.7) while the Falcons rank 232nd in rebounds allowed per game (38.8).
- Kent State ranks 29th in blocks per game (5.0) while Bowling Green ranks 139th (2.7).
- Kent State is 2-3-1 ATS on the road, while Bowling Green is 0-3-1 ATS at home.
- In 6 road games, the Golden Flashes have 4 overs and 2 unders.
- In 4 home games, the Falcons have 2 overs and 2 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- The Golden Flashes are 2-2-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Falcons are 0-5.
- In their last five games, Kent State has 5 overs, while Bowling Green has 3 unders and 2 overs.
- During their last five games, the Golden Flashes have scored an average of 81.0 points per game (0.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.8 points per game (5.0 above their season average).
- The Falcons’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 5.5 for the season.
