Ohio Bobcats vs. Kent State Golden Flashes Prediction & Game Preview - 2/18/2022

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Venue: M.A.C. Center, Kent, OH

Where to watch: CBSSN

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Ohio: 22-4 (13-2 MAC)

Kent State: 16-9 (11-4 MAC)

Ohio: won three straight

Kent State: won seven straight

Who knew that MACtion lived in college basketball, too? Look no further than the Ohio Bobcats at the top of the conference with a 22-4 season to this point.

Ohio is coming into this matchup on a three-game winning streak with a 91-78 win over the Miami-Ohio Redhawks at home in their last game. Big man Ben Vander Plas, with the glorious name to boot, had a game-high 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds and six assists.

He also played all 40 minutes, which is either ridiculous or him trying to prove a point to someone. But the big man's 9 of 12 shooting performance sparked a 51-percent night for the Bobcats as a whole. Leading scorer Mark Sears finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds to propel the victory, as well.

Again, we don't normally discuss the MAC at length in college basketball unless the automatic qualifier is talked about. But if you look at the MAC, there's three teams that could make the tournament. Two of them are in this game, and we'll get to Kent State in a moment, but the other is Toledo -- aka, the team that swept the season series from Ohio this season.

Yes, those two losses on Ohio's conference ledger are from the in-state rival folks from the wonderful city of Toledo. If I may, let me just belt Holy Toledo! It only sounds better in verbal form. But I'll let you use your imagination.

Ohio has a great two-man game with Vander Plas and Sears. It's rare you have that. That can carry a mid-major to the Sweet 16 sooner rather than later. Unless you play Toledo.

Shoutout to the Kent State Golden Flashes finding their groove at the right time.

Yes, again, the MAC in basketball might be just as fun as the MAC in football. The Golden Flashes, after starting 9-9, have reeled off seven straight wins to put themselves in the conversation for the top spot in the MAC. They're not that far off from the leading Bobcats.

Those Toledo Rockets we mentioned earlier? Kent State beat them two nights ago with a 72-59 win in Toledo. Sincere Carry continued his strong play this season with a game-high 23 points on 10 of 18 shooting. The guard also had six rebounds and five assists, but didn't really have as much help from the secondary scoring. Malique Jacobs did have 14 but he went only 3 of 11 from the floor.

What the Flashes can do is provide a balanced scoring attack, and they do it from inside the paint. Despite going 5 of 17 from 3-point range, Kent State shot 49 percent from the floor, a four-point increase from their season total.

You can't be overlooking this group. Of the top three in the conference, it's always the quiet ones that go on an absurd run and a fun winning streak. That's what Kent State can do right now, and it's been fun to watch.

If this turns into a high-scoring affair, I'm liking Ohio on the road. The over has cashed in Ohio's last seven games following a cover the previous game. The over is also 5-1 in the Bobcats' last six against teams with a winning record, and you have to like those odds. Kent State has been stellar against the spread, but despite going 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games, I just have to trust the more talented team. We're talking about a two-man game that only one team has been able to stop. I like what Kent State has been able to do, especially against the spread in their last five following an ATS win, but Ohio is too good and they understand the significance of not letting Toledo pass them. Again, Toledo will not be that holy should Ohio keep winning and take the top spot heading into the conference tournament. Give me Ohio with the points. Ohio by 10

Ohio is 34-16 ATS following a conference game in its past three seasons. That mark goes up to 30-14 following three straight games.

Ohio is 1-7 ATS this season after covering two of their previous three.

Ohio is 96-63 ATS after playing a game where the combined score was at least 155 points.

Kent State is 72-45 ATS off a win by 10 points or more against a conference opponent.

Kent State is 15-13 ATS following seven straight wins or more.

PG: Miles Brown

SG: Mark Sears

SF: Ben Roderick

PF: Jason Carter

C: Ben Vander Plas

PG: Sincere Carry

SG: Malique Jacobs

SF: VonCameron Davis

PF: Andrew Garcia

C: Cli'Ron Hornbeak

Points: Mark Sears -- 20.1

Rebounds: Ben Vander Plas -- 6.7

Assists: Mark Sears -- 4.0

Points: Sincere Carry -- 17.8

Rebounds: Malique Jacobs -- 7.3

Assists: Sincere Carry -- 4.6