Miami (OH) vs Kent State

Miami (OH) rolls into Kent riding a 19-game unbeaten streak and a top-25 ranking, while Kent State counters at 14-4 after an early eight-game surge but a few recent bumps in MAC play. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/193/miami-oh-redhawks)) The RedHawks have stayed perfect even after losing Lou Henson watch-list guard Evan Ipsaro to a multi-week absence in the MAC opener, proving they can keep winning with a tightened backcourt rotation. ([bgsufalcons.com](https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2025/12/29/mens-basketball-falcons-welcome-undefeated-rv-miami-oh-to-stroh-center-tuesday-night-for-mac-home-opener?utm_source=openai)) Head-to-head, this core has solved the Golden Flashes repeatedly: Miami swept last season’s meetings with a 70–61 win in Kent, a 96–92 OT thriller in Oxford, and a 72–64 MAC tournament semifinal, as wings like Brant Byers, Peter Suder and Eian Elmer consistently answered Delrecco Gillespie’s interior production. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401706328/miami-oh-kent-state?utm_source=openai)) With Miami averaging 93.9 points per game and boasting multiple late-game shotmakers, laying -125 on the moneyline still rates as an edge against a Kent side heavily dependent on Gillespie to carry both scoring and rebounding. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/193/miami-oh-redhawks)) I grade Miami (OH) -125 on the moneyline as an A- pick, combining strong win probability with only modest but acceptable return. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 20/01/2026 09:48

Kent State’s offense has become a track meet, pouring in 90.2 points per game behind Delrecco Gillespie’s 19.8 and Cian Medley’s 7.0 assists, while undefeated Miami (OH) is somehow even more explosive at 93.9 per night during its 19-0 run. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/2309/kent-state-golden-flashes)) Both teams have recently played in shootouts—Miami’s 105–102 OT win over Buffalo and last season’s 96–92 OT battle with these same Golden Flashes show how easily this matchup can climb into the 180s when the game state stays tight. ([midmajormadness.com](https://www.midmajormadness.com/general/33018/the-mens-other-top-25-saint-louis-undefeated-miami-oh-elevate-to-top-two-spots?utm_source=openai)) Even with Ipsaro still sidelined, the RedHawks have simply shifted more usage to Byers, Suder and Elmer in a shorter rotation, and Kent’s reliance on Gillespie post touches plus a deep perimeter group (including Jahari Williamson and Morgan Safford) drives pace, free throws and late-game scoring opportunities. ([bgsufalcons.com](https://bgsufalcons.com/news/2025/12/29/mens-basketball-falcons-welcome-undefeated-rv-miami-oh-to-stroh-center-tuesday-night-for-mac-home-opener?utm_source=openai)) While last January’s 70–61 Miami win in Kent sat well under this lofty number, both attacks are more efficient and faster in 2025-26, so I lean Over 169.5 (-118) as a B+ pick, accepting some volatility from the high total in exchange for a statistical profile that projects well above the line. ([miamiredhawks.com](https://miamiredhawks.com/news/2025/1/18/mens-basketball-redhawks-top-kent-state-70-61-for-seventh-straight-victory?utm_source=openai)) Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 20/01/2026 09:48

Miami (OH) has covered small numbers against Kent State repeatedly, winning by nine in Kent, four in an OT home game, and eight on a neutral MAC tournament floor, and now only has to clear -1.5 despite entering this one still unbeaten. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401706328/miami-oh-kent-state?utm_source=openai)) The RedHawks’ ongoing winning streak, nearly 94 points per game offense and diverse shot creation from Byers, Suder and Elmer help cushion the blow of Ipsaro’s ongoing absence, whereas Kent’s 14-4 profile is tied closely to Gillespie’s double-double dominance—if he’s limited by foul trouble or Miami’s help defense, the Golden Flashes’ scoring ceiling drops quickly. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/193/miami-oh-redhawks)) Kent’s strong MAC Center environment and guards like Medley and Jahari Williamson, who already pushed Miami to overtime once, mean another one-possession finish is very much in play, but with most recent RedHawk wins in this series landing beyond a single basket, laying -1.5 at -110 grades out as a B pick—slightly better value than the moneyline, yet more vulnerable if this clash comes down to a final shot. ([espn.com](https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/team/stats/_/id/2309/kent-state-golden-flashes)) Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 20/01/2026 09:48