The top-seeded Toledo Rockets (27-6) and the No. 2 seed Kent State Golden Flashes (27-6) link up in the 2023 MAC Tournament championship game on Saturday evening. The winner of this contest clinches its bid to the NCAA Tournament. Kent State leads the all-time series 22-10, including a three-game win streak over the Rockets. On Jan. 10, the Golden Flashes beat the Rockets 75-63.
Tipoff from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. This game is listed as a pick'em in the latest Kent State vs. Toledo odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 148.5. Before making any Toledo vs. Kent State picks, you need 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 conference tournament week 76-51 on all-top rated college basketball picks this season, returning nearly $1,200 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Toledo vs. Kent State 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 Kent State vs. Toledo:
- Kent State vs. Toledo spread: Pick'em
- Kent State vs. Toledo over/under: 148.5 points
- Kent State vs. Toledo money line: Rockets -110, Golden Flashes -110
- TOL: Rockets are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win
- KENT: Golden Flashes are 5-1 ATS in their last six neutral site games
- Kent State vs. Toledo picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Toledo can cover
Senior forward JT Shumate is a smooth and efficient offensive options. Shumate excels at scoring both off the dribble and as a catch-and-shoot threat. The Ohio native is tied for seventh in the MAC in scoring (16.5) with 4.8 rebounds per contest. In Feb. 21 game against Akron, Shumate notched 20 points, three rebounds and two blocks.
Sophomore guard Dante Maddox Jr. provides the Rockets with an athletic playmaker. Maddox Jr. has a nose for causing havoc defensively due to relentlessness and high energy. He averages 1.1 steals with 11.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. He's swiped at least two steals in three of his last four matchups. On Feb. 25, Maddox Jr. had 18 points, four rebounds and two steals.
Why the Kent State can cover
Senior guard Sincere Carry is an exceptional scoring threat from all across the floor. Carry has a quick first step when driving down the lane with the ability to finish with both hands. The Pennsylvania native is sixth in the conference in points (17.2) and third in assists (4.9). In the March 3 win over Akron, Carry finished with 35 points and four assists.
Senior guard Malique Jacobs is an agile playmaker. Jacobs has the quickness to beat his defender and get into the paint. The North Carolina native averages 12.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. In his last game against Akron, Jacobs had 14 points, four rebounds and four steals.
How to make Kent State vs. Toledo picks
The model is leaning Over the total, predicting a combined 154 points, and it also has generated an against-the-spread pick that cashes in well over 50% of simulations. You can get the model's pick only at SportsLine.
So who wins Toledo vs. Kent State? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has crushed its top-ranked college basketball picks, and find out.
