Kent State at Akron College Basketball Picks & Predictions 3/2/2018

Friday, March 2, 2018

James A. Rhodes Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Kent State Golden Flashes head to James A. Rhodes Arena to take on the Akron Zips on Friday, March 2, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Akron as 1.5 point favorites.

Kent State heads into this matchup with a mark of 15-15. They currently have a point differential of -0.2 as they are averaging 74.0 points per contest while giving up 74.2 per game. Akron has an overall record of 12-17. They are averaging 72.1 points per game and surrendering 75.9, good for a point differential of -3.8.

Valuable Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Trends

The Kent State Golden Flashes are 12-12 against the spread this season

The Kent State Golden Flashes are 13-12 against the over/under this year

Important Akron Zips Betting Trends

The Akron Zips are 12-15 against the spread this season

The Akron Zips are 12-15 against the over/under this year

Key Kent State Golden Flashes Injuries

01/30/18 G Taishaun Johnson Undisclosed is out indefinitely

Key Akron Zips Injuries

01/20/18 F Jaden Sayles Wrist is out indefinitely
01/12/18 F Emmanuel Olojakpoke Heart is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jaylin Walker averages 17 points per contest while playing 33.3 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3.6 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.1 assists per game. His FG percentage is 44% while his free throw percentage is 81%. Kevin Zabo averages 12.5 points per contest in 28.1 minutes per game this year. He averages 2.3 assists per game and 2.9 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 42% for the season while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Daniel Utomi scores 16.4 points per contest while playing 34.2 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 5.4 rebounds per contest and has 1.8 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is at 80%. Malcolm Duvivier averages 14.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 32.2 minutes per game. He also brings in 2.3 rebounds per game and has 3 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 39% and his free throw percentage is 66%.

Useful Team Statistics

Kent State averages 74.0 points per contest this year, which is 179th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is -0.2 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 260th. From 3-point territory they shoot 33%, which is good for 284th in Division 1. They average 35.7 boards per contest and 11.8 assists per game, which ranks them 160th and 300th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 150th with 13.3 per game. The Golden Flashes allow 74.2 points per contest, which is 226th in the country. They also surrender a 45% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 251st and 107th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 34.5 rebounds a game which ranks 165th, and they allow 14.1 assists per game which puts them in 238th place in college basketball. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 196th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Akron is 226th in the country with 72.1 points per contest this season. They are 250th in the nation in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -3.8. They shoot 36% from beyond the arc, which is good for 118th in Division 1. They are 279th in the country in rebounding with 33.6 boards per contest and 235th in assists per game with 12.9. The Zips are 102nd in turnovers per contest with 13.7. The Zips give up 75.9 points per game, which ranks them 269th in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 46% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 283rd and 252nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 181st with 13.4 dimes allowed per game and 190th with 35.0 boards surrendered per contest. The Zips are 150th in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Golden Flashes are 218th in the country in defensive rating with 104.1, and their offensive rating of 103.8 is ranked 199th. They are 117th in college basketball in pace with 70.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 260th. As a unit they are 252nd in the nation in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 164th in D-1. Kent State is 182nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 238th in the country.

Advanced Statistics

Akron is 85th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 53%, which is 291st in Division 1. The Zips are 288th in the nation in defensive rating with 108.1, and their offensive rating of 102.7 is ranked 227th. They are 191st in D-1 in pace with 69.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 160th. As a unit they are 167th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 46% of their shot attempts, ranking 23rd in the country.

Who will win tonight's Kent State/Akron college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Kent State +1.5

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