Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles January 17 Betting Preview

The Golden Flashes enter the game as a road favorite by a whopping 14 points.

Eastern Michigan Eagles Overview

The Eastern Michigan Eagles may have won the offseason and headline battle, but that is about all they have won this season. The Eagles are just 4-13 entering Tuesday night's game with the Golden Flashes and are just 1-3 in league play. Despite the addition of the former number-one recruit in the nation, Emoji Bates, coach Stan Heath has won just two of his last nine games.

Bates has had a decent season from the aspect of individuality, averaging 19.8 points and roughly six rebounds per game. He has yet to live up to the billing as the "next" big thing in the basketball world for whatever reason, but one thing that is true is that he is talented enough to lead this team to a victory over anyone in the MAC if he gets rolling.

Coach Heath's cupboards aren't just Bate's either. Noah Farrahkan is also having himself a nice season with 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. He has struggled from beyond the three-point line at under 27 percent this season, but he provides some pop for the Eagles in addition to Bates.

The Eagles have covered just five games this season and only one of their last five contests. Eastern Michigan is underperforming the number by -5.1 points per game overall and -8.9 points per contest at home.

Kent State Flashing To The Dance

Kent State Head Coach Rob Senderoff has been at Kent State since the 2011-12 season and has experienced great success. However, despite seven 20+ win seasons, the Golden Flashes have been to the tournament just once, back in 2017. 

This season, Senderoff has a tremendously talented backcourt led by senior guard Sincere Carry. The 6' 1 guard is averaging 17.1 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game this season and is currently averaging 21 points per game over his last three contests.

While Carry is the star, the Flashes are not a one-person show. Malique Jones (12.6 points per game) is another tremendous backcourt player and is currently leading the nation with 3.1 steals per contest. Forward Miryne Thomas locks down the frontcourt, averaging roughly 12 points and six rebounds per game. 

Kent State has been fantastic on the road this season against the spread. The Flashes have covered in five of their eight road games this season and have outperformed the number by +4 points per contest. In six of Kent State's last seven contests, the total has also gone under.

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