The Mid-American Conference East Division regular season title is on the line tonight and the two teams could very likely meet again in the post-season tourney if the seeds fall that direction. Kent State (22-8, 13-12-1 ATS) has only suffered one bad perf

2010-03-05

The Mid-American Conference East Division regular season title is on the line tonight and the two teams could very likely meet again in the post-season tourney if the seeds fall that direction. Kent State (22-8, 13-12-1 ATS) has only suffered one bad performance since mid-January, losing by 15 at Buffalo, in win winning 12 of 13 (7-4-1 ATS). Akron shares the exact same record, both in conference and overall. The Zips are the hosts and favored by 3-points at Sportsbook.com.

The Golden Flashes strongest characteristic is ability to outlast teams at crunch time, being mentally stronger, coming up with big buckets and stops when necessary. They will have to rise to the occasion again, as they are 1-9 ATS in road games against teams with 60 to 80 percent win percentage the last two seasons.

Akron (22-8, 13-12-2 ATS) has also been playing very good basketball and is excited about playing host for this important confrontation, where they are 13-3 (6-6-1 ATS), winning by 13.0 points per game. The Zips have offensive limitations with no real go-to player and need to play great defense, which they have most of the year. This is particularly true at home, where opposing teams convert on only 37.8 percent of their shot attempts in scoring 60.9 points per game. Coach Keith Dambrot’s squad needs to play at their pace and Akron is 10-2 ATS when they score 67 to 74 points.

The Zips will use the same formula they have all season, playing what is basically nine starters, all with similar ability, mixing and matching and being patient on offense. Akron has won seven of eight and is 14-4 ATS having won four of their last five games and will look to change fortunes since they are 1-5 SU and ATS vs. Kent State in previous six meetings.

The Golden Flashes are a three-point road underdog according to Sportsbook.com, with total of 134. Kent State is 5-14 ATS as an underdog and 13-5 OVER versus good teams outscoring their opponents by four points or more a game.

This massive MAC matchup is on ESPN2 at 8:00 Eastern and Akron is 14-5 UNDER in home games after a conference contest.

StatFox Power Line – Akron by 1

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