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Miami (OH) RedHawks vs Kent State Golden Flashes Picks and Predictions January 20th 2026
A near pick’em sets the stage for a wide-open MAC showdown Tuesday night between Miami (OH) and Kent State. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM ET at the MAC Center in Kent. The Golden Flashes are slight -0.5 favorites at home, with the RedHawks listed at -114 on the moneyline. The total is a sky-high 170.5, making this one of the highest over/unders on the board.
These are two pace-driven teams with efficient guards and defensive concerns — the kind of game where momentum swings fast and 10-point runs happen often. With so little separating these teams in the market, the edge may come down to who closes better in the final minutes.
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Miami (OH) RedHawks vs Kent State Golden Flashes Odds
These are the current betting odds for Miami (OH) vs Kent State. Make sure to check the latest college basketball odds as lines can move quickly in tight matchups like this one.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) RedHawks | -114 | +0.5 (-110) | O 170.5 (-112) |
| Kent State Golden Flashes | -109 | -0.5 (-115) | U 170.5 (-114) |
Miami (OH) RedHawks Betting Form
The RedHawks are playing with tempo and confidence, but they’ve been unreliable in high-leverage spots. Miami (OH) loves to push pace and score early in the clock, with multiple guards capable of creating off the dribble. They’ve hit the Over in six of their last eight and continue to live or die by the three.
The downside? Defense. The RedHawks give up far too many transition looks and rarely force turnovers. They also struggle to contain dribble penetration, which can lead to quick foul trouble. That makes it hard to protect a lead or stay in front once a run starts against them.
See the full Miami (OH) RedHawks stats and results and keep an eye on the Miami (OH) RedHawks injury report for any late changes.
Kent State Golden Flashes Betting Form
Kent State has been one of the better ATS teams at home in the MAC over the past few seasons, and their tempo fits well with how Miami (OH) wants to play. The Golden Flashes shoot well from deep, have strong guard play, and do a better job on the boards — especially on the offensive glass.
Where Kent State separates itself is in late-game execution. They don’t foul much, they convert at the free-throw line, and they can score in isolation when the offense breaks down. At home, they’ve closed well in tight games, and that could be the difference with such a small spread here.
Check out the Kent State Golden Flashes schedule and stats and follow the Kent State Golden Flashes injury report for roster updates before tip.
Miami (OH) RedHawks vs Kent State Golden Flashes Matchup Breakdown
Expect fireworks. Both teams play fast, shoot often, and lean on their guards to control the game. Kent State holds a slight edge in shot selection and rebounding, but Miami (OH)’s offensive ceiling is higher when they’re knocking down jumpers. This will likely come down to late-game fouls, free throws, and who wins the turnover battle.
Matchup keys:
- Both teams play top-50 tempo nationally
- Kent State has the rebounding and FT edge
- Miami (OH) relies more on volume shooting and runs hot/cold
- 170.5 total is high, but realistic given the shot volume
A couple cold stretches could sink an Over, but if the pace holds and neither team builds a big lead, we’re looking at a back-and-forth game with possessions deep into the 80s for both sides.
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Miami (OH) RedHawks vs Kent State Golden Flashes Predictions and Best Bets
When the spread is under a point, it’s about trust — and Kent State has earned more of it at home. They’ve closed better, rebound better, and get more stops in late-game situations. Miami (OH) has higher variance but also more ways to fall apart under pressure.
As for the total, 170.5 is a big number, but not out of reach. Shot volume should be there, and if the three-ball is falling for both sides, this one could cruise Over by the under-4 timeout.
Best Bet: Kent State Golden Flashes -0.5 (-115)
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