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USATSI

A share of first place in the Mid-American Conference will be on the line when the Ball State Cardinals meet the Kent State Golden Flashes on Friday. The Cardinals (13-5, 4-1 MAC) are just one game behind Kent State in the league and have won two in a row since a 76-71 setback at Ohio on Jan. 10. The Golden Flashes (15-3, 5-0) have a nine-game winning streak since dropping a 73-66 decision at No. 18 Gonzaga on Dec. 5. Kent State looks to win its third game in a row over Ball State.

The game from the M.A.C. Center in Kent, Ohio, will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. Ball State is averaging 76.2 points per game, while Kent State averages 74.6. The Golden Flashes are 8-point favorites in the latest Ball State vs. Kent State odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 138. Before making any Kent State vs. Ball State picks, be sure to check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters Week 11 of the season 41-21 on all-top rated college basketball picks, returning more than $1,200 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen profitable returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Ball State vs. Kent State and just locked in its picks and CBB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Kent State vs. Ball State:

  • Ball State vs. Kent State spread: Kent State -8
  • Ball State vs. Kent State over/under: 138 points 
  • Ball State vs. Kent State money line: Kent State -420, Ball State +320
  • BSU: The Cardinals are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games following an ATS loss 
  • KSU: The Golden Flashes are 6-0 ATS in their last six Friday games 
  • Ball State vs. Kent State picks: See picks here

Why Kent State can cover

Senior forward Miryne Thomas, a transfer from Ball State, will face off against his former teammates, averaging a career-high 11.8 points per game. He also averages 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He has reached double-digit scoring in each of the last four games, including a 10-point, eight-rebound effort at Eastern Michigan on Tuesday. He has recorded two double-doubles this year, including a 22-point, 13-rebound effort against Toledo on Jan. 10.

Junior guard Giovanni Santiago, who has started all 18 games, is coming off back-to-back 11-point performances at Ohio and Eastern Michigan. He has reached double figures in seven games, including a season-high 17 points in a 94-68 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Nov. 16. He had a 15-point effort in an 80-72 win over Western Michigan on Jan. 3. For the season, Santiago averages 8.1 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals per game, and has hit all 21 of his free throws.

Why Ball State can cover 

The Cardinals are led by junior guard Jarron Coleman, who averages 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He has reached double-figure scoring in 16 of 18 games, including a season-high 29 points in an 83-71 loss at Indiana State on Nov. 12. Coleman scored 26 points in a 90-83 win at Toledo on Jan. 3. He is coming off a 22-point, eight-rebound and seven-assist performance in a 71-70 win over Western Michigan on Tuesday.

Sophomore guard Jaylin Sellers has been red hot from the field, connecting on 49.7% of his field goals, including 50% from 3-point range. He is also hitting 77.3% of his free throws. He has reached double-figure scoring in 11 games, and has registered two double-doubles. He had 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in the win at Toledo.

How to make Ball State vs. Kent State picks

SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 142 combined points. It also says one side of the spread has all the value. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine

So who wins Ball State vs. Kent State? And which side of the spread has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Ball State vs. Kent State spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has seen profitable returns on its college basketball picks this season, and find out.