Ohio Bobcats guard Jesse Burris (21) tries to get rid of the ball under pressure from Kent State Golden Flashes guard Rob Whaley Jr. (2), forward Magnus Entenmann (14) and guard Cian Medley (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the MAC Basketball Tournament at Rocket Arena, March 12, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kent State vs Akron Prediction 3/13/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Kent State Golden Flashes Akron Zips
Team Records 24-8 27-5
Spread +6.5 -105 -6.5 -115
Moneyline +235 -290
Total Over 163.5 (-110) Under 163.5 (-110)
Where Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
When Friday, March 13, 2026
Time 07:30 PM EDT
TV CBSSN

In this article we will formulate a Kent State vs Akron prediction for this College Basketball game on Friday, March 13th at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Preview

The Kent State Golden Flashes are 24-8 (14-4) this season after they defeated Ohio by a score of 86-75 in their last game. Kent State led 40-38 at halftime and they added 46 points in the second half to secure the win. The Golden Flashes shot 48% from the field, 35% on three pointers, and 72% on free throws in the game. Delrecco Gillespie led Kent State with 27 points and eight rebounds, while Morgan Safford added 24 points and six rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, Kent State defeated Western Michigan by a score of 86-78 and NIU by a score of 102-76. The Golden Flashes have scored 85.6 points per game with 39.7 rebounds and 16.4 assists per game, while they have allowed 79.9 points against per game this season. Delrecco Gillespie is averaging 18.1 points and 11.2 rebounds per game, while Morgan Safford is averaging 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for the Golden Flashes. Kent State is shooting 45.6% from the field, 74.0% on free throws, and 36.1% on three pointers this year. 

Akron Zips Betting Preview

The Akron Zips are 27-5 (17-1) this year after they defeated Buffalo by a score of 73-70 in their last game. Akron led 42-29 at halftime, but they were outscored 41-31 in the second half in the narrow win. The Zips shot 46% from the field, 33% on three pointers, and 61% on free throws in the game. Tavari Johnson led Akron with 25 points and two assists, while Amani Lyles added 12 points and 16 rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, Akron defeated NIU by a score of 94-55 and Central Michigan by a score of 77-64. The Zips have scored 89.6 points per game with 38.2 rebounds and 19.0 assists per game, while they have allowed 73.7 points against per game this season. Tavari Johnson is averaging 20.2 points and 5.2 assists per game, while Amani Lyles is averaging 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game for the Zips. Akron is shooting 50.7% from the field, 77.1% on free throws, and 38.5% on three pointers this season. 

Kent State vs Akron Prediction 

Akron comes into this matchup after barely escaping against Buffalo on Thursday, but they did go 17-1 in conference play this year. The Zips are shooting 51% from the field and they have scored 92+ points in three of their last five. Kent State has won three in a row, but did lose to Akron 92-70 before the winning streak. The Golden Flashes are shooting 46% from the field and they have scored at least 86 points in three straight. We should see plenty of scoring in this one, but I have to side with Akron and their elite shooting.

David Racey's Pick: Akron -6

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