The Buffalo Bulls (18-7, 10-2 MAC) will attempt to continue an eight-game home winning streak when they square off against the Kent State Golden Flashes (12-13, 6-6 MAC) at Alumni Arena. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 160 points with Buffalo opening as a 13.5-point favorite. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Buffalo Bulls Free Preview
The last time the Golden Flashes played, they lost big to the Ball State Cardinals, 87-68. Danny Pippen had a solid performance for Kent State, leading the team in scoring with 17 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Ball State had an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 27.0). Kent State, meanwhile, did a great job of making free throws (12-15; 80.0 percent).
The Bulls are trying to rebound after their 90-88 loss to the Northern Illinois Huskies in their last contest. Nick Perkins was Buffalo’s high scorer with 22 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Northern Illinois did an excellent job of getting and making free throws (24-29; 82.8 percent). Buffalo, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.6 vs. 26.3).
Buffalo should have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Bulls currently rank 60th in offensive efficiency, while Kent State ranks 222nd in defensive efficiency.
Games including these teams have a tendency to go over the projected point total. Kent State games have finished over 55.0 percent of the time, while Buffalo games have finished over 63.6 percent of the time. The Bulls come into this game with a substantial advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 18-7 SU and 11-9-2 ATS, while the Golden Flashes are 12-13 SU and 9-10-1 ATS.
Jeremy Harris has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Buffalo, averaging 19.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to put up 161 points in that game, which was just over the projected point total of 158.5. The Golden Flashes won 82-79, covering as 8-point underdogs. The Golden Flashes played a nearly flawless game. They had a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 31.0 and a fantastic free throw rate of 0.386. The Bulls were 8.7 and 0.204, respectively, for those same stats. Pippen put up a double-double in the victory with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Kent State Golden Flashes at Buffalo Bulls Prediction
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Buffalo, ATS Winner – Buffalo, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Golden Flashes average 3.1 blocks per game, which ranks 132nd in the NCAA. The Bulls rank 161st in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
- Kent State is 3-8 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 5 overs.
- At home, Buffalo is 4-3-1 ATS with 5 overs and 3 unders.
- Buffalo ranks 29th in assists per game (16.7) while Kent State ranks 229th (11.8).
- The Bulls rank 19th in three pointers attempted per game (27.3) while the Golden Flashes rank 137th (22.2).
- Kent State ranks 124th in rebounds allowed per game (34.2) while Buffalo ranks 233rd (37.2).
Betting Trends:
- Buffalo is 0-4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Kent State is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Bulls average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.8, down from 6.9 for the seasonDuring their last five games, the Golden Flashes have scored an average of 72.6 points per game (1.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.6 points per game (3.0 above their season average).
