Ohio Bobcats vs
Kent St. Golden FlashesPredictions & Preview

Ohio vs Kent State: Bobcats Look to Improve Conference Standing Against Golden Flashes

Ohio and Kent State are set to face off on Friday night at M.A.C. Center, with Ohio looking to improve their conference standing. The Bobcats are coming off a 86-81 win over Bowling Green, while the Golden Flashes recently won 91-83 over Central Michigan. Kent State is favored to win at -5, with the betting line remaining stable. Their last 10 meetings have been split, with Ohio winning the first meeting of the season 61-59. It will be interesting to see which team comes out on top in this Ohio vs. Kent State matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Bobcats +190 | Golden Flashes -225
• Spread: Bobcats +5 (-110) | Golden Flashes -5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 145.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Kent St. will win straight-up is 69%.

Ohio vs Kent St. Stats

Ohio Bobcats

The Ohio Bobcats recently bounced back from a loss to Appalachian State with a win over Bowling Green in their last game. They are currently fourth in the MAC standings, one game behind third-placed Toledo, and will aim to move up the standings with a win in their upcoming game. Offensively, Ohio averages 79.9 points per game and made 47.1 percent of their field goals and 33.3 percent of their three-pointers in their last game. Shereef Mitchell led the team with 17 points, three rebounds, and four assists, while AJ Brown and AJ Clayton also made significant contributions. However, their defense has been a weak point, as they allow an average of 75.3 points per game and gave up 81 points in their last game. With a power ranking of 123, Ohio ranks 58th in offense, 275th in defense, and has a 13-11 record this season. Their offensive statistics show a strong shooting percentage from both the field and free throw line, while defensively they struggle to defend the three-point shot. In order to secure a win in their next game, Ohio will need to improve their defensive performance.

Kent St. Golden Flashes Analysis

The Kent State Golden Flashes had a strong bounce-back performance with three consecutive wins following their loss to Akron. They currently sit fifth in the MAC standings, one game behind Ohio, and will look to move up with a win on Friday. Kent State has been averaging 71.1 points per game, with a standout performance in their last game where they scored 91 points and made over 50% of their field goals and three-pointers. Marquis Barnett led the team with 28 points, followed by VonCameron Davis with 21 points and Jalen Sullinger with 19 points. Defensively, they have been giving up 65.6 points per game but allowed 83 points in their last game, emphasizing the need for improvement on that end of the court. In terms of power rankings, Kent State is ranked 46 overall, excelling defensively as the 23rd ranked team in the nation for points allowed per game. Their offensive stats rank lower, with shooting percentages and three-point shooting efficiency needing improvement. Overall, the Golden Flashes have a solid record of 15-8 and have had success against Ohio in recent matchups.

Kent State's Home Dominance Gives Them the Edge Against Struggling Bobcats

Kent State has demonstrated strong performance in their recent home games, winning three out of their last four matchups, while the Bobcats have struggled on the road, losing three of their last four games. Kent State's advantage lies in their efficient shooting, with a shooting percentage of over 48% and a three-point percentage of 44% in their last three games, compared to the Bobcats' 43% shooting on the road. Additionally, Kent State has excelled on the free-throw line, making over 80% of their shots at home. Their strong rebounding, averaging more than eight offensive rebounds per game at home, provides them with additional scoring opportunities. Furthermore, Kent State's ability to protect the ball limits their opponents' scoring chances. Conversely, the Bobcats struggle defensively, allowing over 80 points per game on the road. Taking these factors into consideration, it is recommended to choose Kent State to cover the spread in this matchup.

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