Kent State Golden Flashes vs Portland Pilots Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Portland vs Kent State NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Kent.

Portland vs Kent State Prediction

The Pilots and Golden Flashes are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Golden Flashes will host the game at MAC Center in Kent, OH. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 137.5 points, with Kent State being favored by -12.5 over Portland.

Portland vs. Kent State Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Portland Pilots at Kent State Golden Flashes
Where: Kent at MAC Center
Date: Friday, December 6th
Betting Odds KENTST -12.5, PORT +490 | KENTST -725 O/U 137.5

Pilots Preview: Do the Pilots Stand a Chance on the Road?

Portland Pilots Recent Game/Games

Portland improved to 2-5 on the season with a 101-90 home win over Denver on Sunday. The Pilots entered the game as -6.5 favorites and covered the spread, while the total points of 191 exceeded the O/U line of 148.5.

Portland led 39-30 at halftime but allowed 40 points in the 2nd half while scoring 31 themselves.

Pilots Offense Breakdown

Portland's offense put up 101 points in their last game, shooting 48.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 56.2%. They hit 60% of their two-point attempts, while connecting on 34.5% from beyond the arc, making 10 threes. At the free-throw line, they were impressive, hitting 85.3% on 29-of-34 shooting.

Vukasin Masic led the way with 27 points and 4 assists, playing 47 minutes. Austin Rapp and Nicholas Shogbonyo each added 20 points, with Shogbonyo also contributing 5 assists. The Pilots dished out 21 assists as a team, with Vincent Delano and DeAndre Craig each adding 5 assists as well.

Pilots Team Defense

Portland's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 90 points while allowing the opposition to shoot 48% from the field. Inside the arc, they conceded 21 baskets on 35 attempts, a 60% shooting rate.

On the perimeter, Portland's opponents hit 10 threes on 29 attempts, shooting 34%. They also sent the other team to the line 34 times, where they converted 29 free throws, an 85% success rate.

Golden Flashes Preview: Will the Golden Flashes Secure A Victory as Home Favorites?

Kent State Golden Flashes Recent Game/Games

Kent State improved to 5-2 on the season with a 67-60 win over Kennesaw State on Saturday, November 30th. Playing at home, the Golden Flashes entered the game as -5.5 favorites and covered the spread with the victory.

Kent State led 35-29 at halftime and outscored the Owls 32-31 in the 2nd half. The game’s total points of 127 fell under the O/U line of 140.5.

Golden Flashes Offense Breakdown

In their last game, Kent State's offense struggled, shooting just 28.6% from the field and 17.2% from beyond the arc, with an effective field goal percentage of 31.7%. Despite these shooting woes, they managed to score 67 points, thanks in part to hitting 26 of 33 free throws (78.8%) and grabbing 20 offensive rebounds.

Simeon Cottle led the way with 17 points, while VonCameron Davis added 16. Braedan Lue, Morgan Safford, Jalen Sullinger, and Marquis Barnett each contributed 13 points, with Sullinger and Barnett hitting 2 threes apiece.

Golden Flashes Team Defense

Kent State's defense was stellar, holding their opponent to just 60 points on 28% shooting from the field. They limited two-point shots to 38% (13/34) and were even more effective from beyond the arc, where their opponent shot just 17% (5/29).

Despite sending their opponent to the line 33 times, Kent State's defense still managed to control the game. They allowed 26 free throws, with their opponent shooting 78% from the line. Kent State also gave up 20 offensive rebounds.

Pilots vs Golden Flashes Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

In their last three road games, Portland has averaged 66 points per game while allowing 78. The team's record in this stretch was 1-2 while going 2-1.
When looking at their past three matchups at home, Kent State has an ATS record of 2-1 while averaging 57 per game. The team went 2-1 overall in these games.
In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Pilots have a straight up record of 1-4 and an ATS mark of 3-2.
Going back to their last ten games as the favorite, the Golden Flashes have a straight up record of 9-1. But, their mark vs the spread was just 6-4.