Ball State vs Kent State Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/4/25

In this article, we will formulate a Ball State vs Kent State prediction for this College Basketball game on Saturday, January 4th at the MAC Center in Kent, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview

The Ball State Cardinals are 6-6 (0-0) this year after they defeated Anderson Indiana by a score of 89-76 in their last game. Ball State trailed 43-39 at halftime, but they did score 50 points in the second half for the win. The Cardinals shot 44.1% from the field, 34.6% on three-pointers, and 71.8% on free throws in the game. Jermahri Hill led Ball State with 25 points and eight rebounds, while Payton Sparks added 23 points and 16 rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that victory, the Cardinals defeated Evansville by a score of 80-43 and Bellarmine by a score of 86-82. Ball State has won three games in a row and five of their last seven, after starting the year just 1-4. Ball State has scored 75.5 points per game and they have allowed 70.5 points per game, while also averaging 36.3 rebounds and 12.5 assists per game this season. Jermahri Hill is averaging 16.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, while Juanse Gorosito is averaging 10.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game this year. Ball State is shooting 44.4% from the field, 69.6% on free throws, and 33.1% on three-pointers this season. Ball State will take on Miami (OH) after this game.

Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview

The Kent State Golden Flashes are 9-3 (0-0) this season after they defeated Heidelberg by a score of 84-80 in their last game. Kent State trailed 42-36 at halftime, but they scored 48 points in the second half for the win. The Golden Flashes shot 50% from the field, 43.5% on three-pointers, and 70.6% on free throws in the game. Jalen Sullinger led Kent State with 25 points and four assists, while VonCameron Davis added 21 points and five assists in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Golden Flashes lost to Alabama by a score of 81-54 but did beat Mercyhurst by a score of 82-57 before that. Kent State has won four of their last five games and their other two losses this season were against Auburn and UC Irvine. Kent State has scored 69.6 points per game and they have allowed 63.6 points per game, while also averaging 36.7 rebounds and 12.4 assists per game this season. VonCameron Davis is averaging 14.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, while Jalen Sullinger is averaging 10.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game this year. Kent State is shooting 40.2% from the field, 75.6% on free throws, and 29.4% on three-pointers this season. 

Why Ball State will beat Kent State

• Ball State has won four of its last five day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Ball State vs Kent State Prediction 

Kent State comes into this matchup with a solid 9-3 record to start the season, but they nearly lost to a non-D-1 team last time out. The Golden Flashes have played very well so far this year, so I think that one bad performance was just a one-off. Kent State is only shooting 40.2% from the field and scoring just 69.6 points per game, but their defense has been very strong. Ball State has won three games in a row, but three of their six wins this season were against non-D-1 teams. The Cardinals do have a higher shooting percentage than Kent State, but they are also allowing over 70 points per game on defense. I do like Kent State to get the win here, but I am worried they could start slow once again, so give me the points with Ball State.