Ball State vs Kent State 02/04/20 NCAA Betting Odds and PredictionS

The Ball State Cardinals visit the Kent State Golden Flashes on February 4, 2020, at the Memorial A&C Center in a Mid-American Conference showdown.

The Cardinals snapped a two-game slide by defeating Ohio last Saturday. Ball State is 5-3 in conference play and they are currently ranked second in the MAC’s West Division, just one-half game behind Central Michigan. The Golden Flashes have won three in a row. Kent State is 6-3 in the conference but they are two games behind the East Division leaders Bowling Green. Kent State has won nine out of the last 10 meetings between these two teams.

Third Place in the Mac

The Ball State Cardinals are 12-9 SU on the season and they are currently in third place in the Mid-American Conference team standings with a 5-3 conference record. The Cardinals snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating Ohio 65-54 in a wire-to-wire finish last Saturday.

Tahjai Teague made 10 of his 13 shots against the Bobcats and finished with a game-high 24 points while also plucking 8 rebounds with one steal and a blocked shot. The 6-8 senior has averaged 17.6 points and 10.7 rebounds in nine road games played this season. Teague has scored at least 17 points in four out of his last five games played.

The Cardinals are scoring 66 points per game this season while shooting the ball at a 42% clip. They are just 28% from behind the three-point area. Ball State plays good defense as they allow their opponents to make only 41% of their shots and score an average of 65 points per game this season.

Three Consecutive Wins

The Kent State Golden Flashes are the 2nd best team in the MAC right now with a record of 6-3 SU. The Golden Flashes are 16-6 SU overall and they head to this contest having won three consecutive games. In their last outing, Kent State defeated Akron 68-67 in a close game.

Danny Pippen scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against Akron. Pippen is averaging 14 points per game and shooting the ball at a 47% clip but he has scored at least 18 points in each of his last four games played. If there’s a player to watch on offense, Pippen is that guy and he will be a headache to Ball State.

The Golden Flashes score an average of 83 points per game at their home floor and they also shoot the three-ball at 36%. On defense, Kent State allows their opponents to score only 64 points per game this season and they are ranked 83rd in the nation in offensive efficiency.

Who Wins?

Ball State is 6-3 SU in their last nine games played. The Cardinals are 3-4 SU in their last seven games played on the road. Kent State is 14-6 SU in their last 20 games played. The Golden Flashes are 14-1 SU in their last 15 games played at home. Head to head, the Kent State is 9-1 SU in their last 10 games played against Ball State. The Golden Flashes are also 11-0 in their last 11 home games against the Cardinals.

Tahjai Teague has been on a tear as of late for Ball State. The senior forward has averaged 19.2 points and 11.6 rebounds with three double-doubles in his last five outings. Teague has been a standout on the road this season at 17.6 points and 10.6 rebounds away from home.

Kent State has won three in a row and they are 42nd in the nation in scoring at 77.8 points per game. Danny Pippen has been averaging 18.5 points per game in his last four outings and Antonio Williams is putting up 14.3 points and a team-high 3.8 assists per game this season.

Ball State has lost its last 11 road games against Kent State. They have won just once in their last 18 head to head encounters against the Golden Flashes. I like Ball State’s stifling defense but putting the pressure on an explosive scoring team like Kent State will be tough to do for 40 minutes. I think that Kent State is going to make the shots in the end game to pull this victory off.

Prediction: Kent State

Place Your Bet Here

Other Bets to Make

Ball State is 6-3 ATS in their last nine games played. The Cardinals are 3-4 ATS in seven road games played this season, 1-4 ATS in their last five February games, and 3-11 ATS in their last 14 Tuesday games. Kent State is 2-5 ATS in their last seven games played. The Golden Flashes are 5-4 ATS in their last nine home games, and 2-5 ATS in their last seven games against the Mid-American Conference. Head to head, Kent State is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games played against Ball State.

I think this is going to be a well-fought and close game. Between these two teams, I like Kent State better. The Golden Flashes have a more balanced offense and they shoot better from the perimeter. I think Kent State has better shot-making abilities and in a close game like this, you have to go with the team that can make big baskets down the stretch. I think that team in Kent State.

Prediction: Kent State -4

Place Your Bet Here

The total has gone under in six out of the last nine games played by Ball State. The under is 6-0 in the Cardinals’ last six games played on the road. The total has gone under in three out of the last five games played by the Golden Flashes. Kent State has seen the total go under in five out of their last seven February games. Head to head, the total has gone over in seven out of the last 10 meetings between these two teams, including 6-0 in their last six encounters.

These teams are two of the better defensive teams in the Mid-American Conference. The Cardinals have limited their opponents to 65 points per game in their road games this season while the Golden Flashes are holding their foes to an average of 64 points per game this year. Ball State has allowed 67 or fewer points in four out of their last six games played and Kent State has given up no more than 67 points in three of five games. I like this game to turn into a defensive battle.

Prediction: Under 134.5

Place Your Bet Here