Alabama Crimson Tide vs Kent State Golden Flashes Matchup

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

Kent State vs Alabama Prediction

The Golden Flashes and Crimson Tide are set to face off at 1:00 ET on SECN. The Crimson Tide will host the game at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, AL. The over/under for this game is set at 154 points, and Alabama is favored by -20.5 against Kent State in a non-conference matchup.

Kent State vs. Alabama Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Kent State Golden Flashes at Alabama Crimson Tide
Where: Tuscaloosa at Coleman Coliseum
Date: Sunday, December 22nd
Betting Odds ALA -20.5, KENTST +1583 | ALA -7416 O/U 154

Golden Flashes Preview: Can the Golden Flashes Pull Off a Win at Tuscaloosa?

Kent State Golden Flashes Recent Game/Games

Kent State improved to 7-2 on the season with an 82-57 win over Mercyhurst on Sunday. Playing at home, the Golden Flashes entered the game as -18 favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game reached 139, surpassing the over/under line of 127.5.

Leading 36-24 at halftime, Kent State put up 46 points in the 2nd half while allowing 33. Their strong 2nd-half performance helped them pull away and secure the win.

Golden Flashes Offense Breakdown

Kent State's offense put up 82 points in their last game, shooting 47.5% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54.2%. They connected on 7 of 20 three-point attempts, shooting 35% from deep, and were strong from the free-throw line, hitting 19 of 24 for a 79.2% rate. The Golden Flashes also grabbed 14 offensive rebounds and dished out 15 assists.

VonCameron Davis led the way with 17 points, shooting 55.6% overall and 40% from three. Jalen Sullinger also shot 55.6%, hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, and finished with 15 points. Cli'Ron Hornbeak added 15 points, shooting 63.6% from the field, while Jeff Planutis contributed 16 points, hitting 2 of 5 from three.

Golden Flashes Team Defense

Despite Kent State's defense giving up 57 points, they allowed their opponent to shoot 47% from the field, with 28 made field goals on 59 attempts. Inside the arc, the opposition shot 53%, connecting on 21 of 39 two-point attempts.

From three-point range, Kent State's defense gave up 7 threes on 20 attempts, a 35% shooting rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 24 times, where they made 19 free throws, shooting 79%. Kent State allowed 14 offensive rebounds in the game.

Crimson Tide Preview: Will the Crimson Tide Make it Happen at Home?

Alabama improved to 9-2 on the season with a 97-90 road win over North Dakota on Wednesday. The Crimson Tide entered the game as heavy favorites, but they didn’t cover the -26 spread. The total points for the game reached 187, surpassing the O/U line of 167.5.

Alabama trailed 38-35 at halftime but turned things around in the 2nd half, scoring 62 points while allowing 52.

Crimson Tide Offense Breakdown

Alabama put up 97 points in their last game, shooting 52.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 60.3%. They were dominant inside, hitting 75.9% of their two-point attempts, while connecting on 32.4% from beyond the arc, going 11-for-34 from three-point range.

Treysen Eaglestaff led the way with 40 points, hitting 8-of-18 from deep and shooting 50% overall. Grant Nelson and Mark Sears each added 23 points, with Nelson grabbing 10 rebounds and Sears dishing out 5 assists. Alabama also pulled down 16 offensive rebounds and finished with 14 assists as a team.

Crimson Tide Team Defense

Alabama's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 90 points on 43% shooting from the field. They allowed 33 made field goals on 76 attempts.

From beyond the arc, Alabama's opponents hit 17 threes on 41 attempts, shooting 41%. They also went 7/8 from the free-throw line. Alabama gave up 16 offensive rebounds.

Golden Flashes vs Crimson Tide Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

The Golden Flashes are 3-2 ATS in their last road games and 3-2 straight-up.
In their last five games at home, the Crimson Tide have a straight up record of 3-2 while going 2-3 vs the spread. The team's offense averaged 88 points per game in these contests.
Going back to their previous three games as the underdog, Kent State has an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 0-3 straight up.
Although the Crimson Tide have a strong straight up record in their last five games as the betting favorite, they have not done as well vs the spread going 1-4.