Indiana vs Kent State Prediction March Madness Picks, 03/17

Photo Credit: © Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Preview

The NCAA Tournament is finally here, and the Indiana Hoosiers will take on the Kent State Golden Flashes in the first round. The game will take place on Friday, March 17 at 9:55 p.m. EDT in Albany, New York. The Hoosiers are favored by 4 points, with an over/under of 140.5.

Kent State Golden Flashes

The Kent State Golden Flashes have had an impressive season, finishing with a record of 28-6 overall and 15-3 in MAC action. They finished second in the MAC East Division and made it to the championship game of the MAC Tournament, where they lost to Ohio.

The Golden Flashes have a well-rounded team, with strong performances on both ends of the court. They are averaging 75.1 points per game while allowing only 65.2 points per game. They rank sixth in the MAC with 23.1 defensive rebounds per game, led by Miryne Thomas averaging 3.9. Thomas is also a solid contributor on offense, averaging 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Golden Flashes.

Sincere Carry is another key player for Kent State, averaging 12.6 points and 4.4 assists per game. He has also been shooting the ball well from beyond the arc, making 2.1 3-pointers per game while shooting 34.8% from 3-point range. Danny Pippen is another player to watch, averaging 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

In their last 10 games, the Golden Flashes have been on a tear, winning nine of those games. They have been averaging 80.3 points, 32.9 rebounds, 12.6 assists, 8.1 steals, and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting an impressive 47.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.5 points per game, showing their strong defense.

The Golden Flashes will need to continue their strong play on both ends of the court if they want to pull off the upset against Indiana in the NCAA Tournament.

Indiana Hoosiers

The Indiana Hoosiers have had a solid season, finishing with a record of 22-11 overall and 12-8 in Big Ten play. They finished sixth in the Big Ten standings and made it to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament, where they lost to Rutgers.

The Hoosiers have a talented roster, led by star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis. Jackson-Davis has been dominant this season, averaging 19.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while shooting 52.5% from the field. He has also been a force on defense, averaging 1.4 blocks per game.

Another key player for Indiana is guard Armaan Franklin, who is averaging 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. He has been shooting the ball well from beyond the arc, making 1.9 3-pointers per game while shooting 42.4% from 3-point range. Miller Kopp is another player to watch, shooting 44.3% from beyond the arc with 1.8 made 3-pointers per game while averaging 7.9 points.

In their last 10 games, the Hoosiers have been up and down, winning six and losing four. They have been averaging 69.1 points, 30.2 rebounds, 14.2 assists, 5.5 steals, and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 46.8% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 70.4 points per game.

The Hoosiers will need to play their best basketball if they want to advance in the NCAA Tournament. Jackson-Davis will be a key factor in their success, as he has been all season.

Betting Trends

According to the latest March Madness odds for winning, Indiana is favored to win this game and advance to the next round. The Hoosiers are also favored to cover the -4 points spread.

Public Betting Data

The public betting data shows that 62% of the bets are on Indiana to cover the spread, while 38% are on Kent State to cover. In terms of the over/under, 52% of the bets are on the over, while 48% are on the under.

Prediction

Based on the team analysis and betting trends, it is predicted that Indiana will win and cover the -4 points spread in this matchup. Although Kent State has had a great season and is coming off a 9-1 record in their last 10 games, the Hoosiers have a stronger overall record and have faced tougher competition in the Big Ten.

Trayce Jackson-Davis is a dominant force on both ends of the court and will likely be too much for the Golden Flashes to handle. Additionally, Indiana's defense has been solid throughout the season and could pose a challenge for Kent State's offense.

In terms of betting trends, the public is heavily favoring Indiana to cover the spread, which is another indicator of their strength in this matchup.

In conclusion, while Kent State is a strong team, Indiana has the overall advantage and is predicted to win and cover the -4 points spread in this first round matchup. Keep an eye on Trayce Jackson-Davis, who could have a standout performance in this game. Don't forget to check out other March Madness picks from experts and NCAAB basketball picks free before filling out your brackets.

PICK: Indiana -4 (-110)

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