Buffalo at Kent State 1/19/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Buffalo Bulls travel on the road to M.A.C Center to take on the Kent State Golden Flashes. Kent State has won three in a row and fresh from back to back road wins over Central Michigan and Ohio to improve to 6-3 on the year. Buffalo had a two-game win streak snapped with a home-loss to Bowing Green which dropped the Bulls to 5-4 (3-2 conference). 

Both of these teams are potent offensive units and they both come in averaigng 81.4 points per game tied for 34th in the country in scoring offense. Buffalo is shooting 45% from the field ranking 144th in offensive shooting percentage and have four players averaging 13+ points. With 66.8% of their scoring returning from last years’ third-place finish, the Bulls hope to continue their offensive play this year.

Junior forward Jeenathan Williams is averaging a team-high 19.4 points and is second on the team in rebounding with 8.4 per game. He’s shooting 49.6% from the field. Forward Josh Ball has missed time this year but when he’s out there he’s been dominant averaging 14.7 points and pulling down 10 rebounds per game. Senior point guard Jayvon Graves is averaging 16.8 points and dishing out a team-high 3.8 assists per game.

Kent State as mentioned earlier is tied with Buffalo in scoring offense with 81.4 points per game ranking 34th in the country in scoring offense. Leading the Golden Flashes is the son of an NBA legend, senior forward Danny Pippen averaging 21 points and 8.6 rebounds per game, he’s missed time with injuries but is back in the lineup and healthy. 

The go-to second scoring option is senior guard Mike Nuga he’s averaging 18.7 points and is third on the team with 6.1 rebounds per game. Nuga and Pippen are both unafraid to take the three making 5.9/17 attempts per game, as a team Kent State takes 26.9 threes per game the 35th most attempts in the country. 

Defensively, Kent State has really struggled to allow 68.8 points per game ranking 141st in scoring defense. The Golden Flashes have held opponents to just 39.2% from the field, the 31st defensive shooting percentage and are 155th in KenPom adjusted defense. Buffalo is allowing 75.1 points per game ranking 280th in scoring defense with opponents shooting 40.5% from the field, the Bulls are 137th in KenPom adjusted defense.