The Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Kent State Golden Flashes are set to square off in a MAC matchup that tips off the Friday college basketball schedule. Kent State is 21-5 overall and 12-0 at home, while the Eagles are 6-20 overall and 2-10 on the road. Despite having just six wins this season, Eastern Michigan is 6-1 against the spread in its last seven games overall.
Tipoff is at 6 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Golden Flashes as 18-point favorites, while the over/under, or total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, is 147.5 in the latest Eastern Michigan vs. Kent State odds. Before making any Kent State vs. Eastern Michigan picks, be sure to check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 15 of the season 66-38 on all-top rated college basketball picks this season, returning almost $1,700 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Kent State v. Eastern Michigan and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college basketball lines and trends for Eastern Michigan vs. Kent State:
- Eastern Michigan vs. Kent State spread: Kent State -18
- Eastern Michigan vs. Kent State over/under: 147.5 points
- Eastern Michigan vs. Kent State money line: Kent State -1700, Eastern Michigan +950
- EMU: The Eagles are 6-6 against the spread in road games
- KSU: The Golden Flashes are 7-3 against the spread in home games
- Eastern Michigan vs. Kent State picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Eastern Michigan can cover
Eastern Michigan's offense is keyed by Emoni Bates. Bates is averaging 20.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game this season, and the former five-star recruit has scored at least 26 points on eight different occasions. Eastern Michigan is excellent at the free throw line, leading the MAC with 78.1% shooting at the line against conference opponents, and the Eagles are above-average in turnover rate (16.6%) and 2-point shooting (52.6%).
Kent State struggles on the defensive glass, securing fewer than 70% of available rebounds, and the Golden Flashes are outside the top 300 nationally in free throw rate allowed. On the other end, Kent State struggles to create free throw attempts, and Eastern Michigan should benefit from Kent State shooting only 32.7% from 3-point range this season. See which team to pick here.
Why Kent State can cover
The Golden Flashes took their contest against the Western Michigan Broncos on Tuesday by a conclusive 82-58 score. VonCameron Davis led the charge for Kent State, finishing with 21 points, five rebounds and one assist. Malique Jacobs also had a productive performance on Tuesday, recording 12 points, six rebounds and six assists.
For the season, Jacobs is averaging 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Sincere Carry is Kent State's leading scorer, averaging 16.3 points per contest. Carry finished with 14 points, five assists and three rebounds in Kent State's 77-63 victory over Eastern Michigan on Jan. 17. See which team to pick here.
How to make Kent State vs. Eastern Michigan picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 149 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread cashes in more than 50% of simulations. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Eastern Michigan vs. Kent State? And which side of the spread cashes more than 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned almost $1,700 on its college basketball picks this season, and find out.
