The Miami (OH) RedHawks take on the Kent State Golden Flashes in Kent, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. EST on ESPN+.
Miami (OH) is favored by 1.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -115. The total is set at 167 points.
Here’s my Miami (OH) vs. Kent State prediction and college basketball picks for January 20, 2026.
Miami (OH) vs Kent State Prediction
My Pick: Miami ML
My Miami (OH) vs Kent State best bet is on the RedHawks to win outright. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Miami (OH) vs. Kent State Odds
| Miami (OH) Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 167 -110o / -110u | -115 |
| Kent State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 167 -110o / -110u | -105 |
- Miami (OH) vs Kent State spread: Miami (OH) -1.5
- Miami (OH) vs Kent State over/under: 167
- Miami (OH) vs Kent State moneyline: Miami (OH) -115, Kent State -105
- Miami (OH) vs Kent State best bet: Miami ML
Miami (OH) vs Kent State College Basketball Betting Preview
I project the undefeated, ranked RedHawks as 3.2-point favorites in this monster MAC battle, which translates to a ML price closer to -150 than -115.
While the RedHawks are due for some regression at some point, I’m a believer that they can take down the Golden Flashes on the road, just as they did against Akron in early January.
These two are quite different on offense.
Miami’s offense is built on skill, vision, and shot-making. The RedHawks are excellent in drive-and-kick, pick-and-pop, and cutting actions.
Kent State’s offense is built on brute strength, with Delrecco Gillespie powering an offense that scores 37 paint points per game while leading the league in offensive rebounding rate. The Flashes can hit shots, but they aren't nearly as productive from the perimeter as Miami.
Last year, Miami was rather weak on the interior, allowing Gillespie and Co. to win the paint and rebounding battles decisively. Yet the RedHawks still swept both games, and they've drastically improved their rim defense and rebounding this season, ranking in the top 30 nationally in defensive rebounding rate, in the 72nd percentile in at-the-rim rate allowed, and in the 73rd percentile in at-the-rim PPP allowed.
Travis Steele and Rob Senderoff have faced off six times. Steele's teams are 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS, with the Hawks winning the past four head-to-head meetings.
With an improved frontcourt on his side, I expect Steele’s RedHawks to make enough shots en route to 20-0.
My Pick: Miami ML
