James Madison Upsets #4 Michigan State, Ready to Take On #2 Kent State in MAC/Sun Belt Challenge

Game outlook

The MAC/Sun Belt Challenge will take place on Thursday, with the James Madison Dukes (1-0, 1-0 ATS) visiting the Kent State Golden Flashes (1-0, 0-0 ATS). In their last game, James Madison pulled off an historic upset, defeating #4 Michigan State in overtime as a 16.5-point underdog. Kent State is coming off a win in their season opener against Malone University which featured no spread. Rhode Island is the betting favorite with an opening line of -9, and the line has not moved. Tipoff is set for 7:00 EST from Kent, Ohio.

Game Info

When: Thursday, 11/9/2023 @ 7:00pm EST

Where: Thomas M. Ryan Center Stadium Stags vs Rams Betting Odds Moneyline: Stags +345 | Rams -470

Spread: Stags +9 (-110) | Rams -9 (-110)

Total: Over/Under 142 (-110)

Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Rhode Island will win straight-up is 82%.

Fairfield Stags

James Madison stunned the college basketball world with an upset of the 4th-ranked Michigan State Spartans. Led by Junior Terrence Edwards, who scored 24 points, and TJ Bickerstaff, a 6'9 senior who transferred from Boston College, the Dukes hit the go-ahead three with nine seconds left. Michael Green III also added 13 points for the Dukes. The win was a statement of James Madison's strong roster: they are the top team in the Sun Belt, as voted in the preseason coaches' poll, Terrence Edwards was a preseason first team selection, and they are ranked 98th overall by KenPom with a 35th ranking in the nation based on pace of play. Fairfield has a power ranking of 302, and is 0-1 this season. Offense has been an issue, scoring an average of 64.90 per game and ranked 334 in offense. Their field-goal percentage (41.07%) and three-pointer percentage (28.62%) are ranked #332 and #358, respectively. Defensively, they allow an average of 65.97 per game, 43.99% field goals, and 29.11% three-pointers.