Mar 2, 4:10am | 4 min read

NCAA Basketball Picks & Odds: Ohio vs. Kent State Predictions

NCAAB

OddsChecker

Share to Facebook

Share to Twitter

Copy Link

Brandon Hurley is back with his pick of the day for Tuesday's college basketball slate

ANALYSIS

Ohio Bobcats vs. Kent State Golden Flashes

The mid major play of the day is the 13-7 (11-7 ATS) Ohio Bobcats +3 on the road against the 15-6 (11-8-1 ATS) Kent State Golden Flashes. Both teams have been hot lately. Ohio has won 6 of their last 7 games and Kent state has won 5 of their last 7 games. These teams win in opposite ways. Ohio will try to outscore you and Kent State will D it up. Ohio has scored 76 or more points in 9 of their last 10 games winning 8 of those 10 games. Kent State has scored 76 or more points in only 5 of their last 10 games but still managed to win 8 of those 10 games. Kent State beat Ohio by 10 earlier this year. However this time around, Kent State will be without Michael Nuga. Nuga ranks second on the team in scoring at 17.8 points per game and had reached double figures in every contest he played.

Ohio is ranked 47th on offense and 195th on defense per KenPom. Kent State is ranked 94th on offense and 98th on defense. Ohio will be able to rack up the points. The Bobcats are ranked 90th in 3 point shooting % while Kent State is 233rd defending the 3. Ohio has an advantage in overall shooting all together. The Bobcats are ranked 24th in offense effective FG % while the Golden Flashes are ranked 103rd in that category. Also, with such a tight spread, limiting turnovers is crucial. Ohio takes care of the ball ranking 63rd in turnover %. Kent State can be loose with the ball at times ranking 188th in this category. The Golden Flashes had 15 turnovers in their last meeting against Ohio.

If you have been following the mid major play of the day posts, you know I’m a sucker for the team with the better offense. Ohio holds the advantage there, especially with Kent State’s Nuga out for the year. He had 16 points and 10 rebounds in the last meeting. As long as Ohio can be decent on the boards, I expect them to cover this spread and have a shot at an outright win. Ohio +3 is the play. Best of luck!

The Pick: Ohio +3 @ -110