While neither Kent State or St. Bonaventure were able to win their conference tournaments and qualify for March Madness, both programs turned in strong seasons and will set up for an entertaining first round NIT matchup.
Between the Bonnies’ stingy defense and the Golden Flashes’ lack of size, Mark Schmidt’s program should be able to win its 23rd game of the season. My Kent State vs. St. Bonaventure predictions and college basketball picks for Tuesday, March 18 expects Schmidt’s program to accomplish the feat for just the second time in the last seven years.
Who will win Kent State vs St. Bonaventure?
Both teams play with a defense-first mentality, but St. Bonaventure brings a lot more size to the court, which could lead to problems for a Kent State team with two lead guards are sub 6-foot. Given the Bonnies length and defensive prowess, on top of having an All-A-10 guard in Melvin Council Jr., I have St. Bonaventure winning 68-62.
Kent State vs St. Bonaventure prediction
My best bet: St. Bonaventure -4.5 (-110 at bet365)
The Kent State Golden Flashes had issues down the stretch, losing three of their last seven games and failing to cover in nine of their last 11, including five straight. Now the Golden Flashes take on a St. Bonaventure Bonnies team that has a clear size advantage, as well as a talented scoring guard in Melvin Council who helped lead Wagner to a win in the First Four in last year’s March Madness.
Although Rob Senderoff’s program has played strong defense in the MAC all season, Kent State has a clear size issue. Both Jalen Sullinger and Cian Medley are shorter than six feet tall and the team’s top forward, Voncameron Davis, is 6-foot-5.
Meanwhile, the Bonnies have a 6-foot-11 tower in the paint in Noel Brown, and he’s surrounded by guards who are all between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-7. The most important of that bunch is Council, who took his game up a notch in A-10 play and has gone for 18-plus points in four of his last six.
He should be the difference on the offensive end with the Bonnies able to lean on their defense to pull out a strong win. St. Bonaventure is 22nd in the country in points allowed per (64.9) and Top 100 in field goal percentage allowed (42%) and 2-pointers allowed (14.8).
The Golden Flashes are just 205th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 243rd in field goal percentage (43.6%), and are one the worst 3-point shooting teams in the country — 315th in 3-point percentage (31.4%). So with their length and a defense that’s Top 70 in adjusted efficiency, the Bonnies should outlast Kent State.
Kent State vs St. Bonaventure same-game parlay (SGP)
St. Bonaventure -4.5
Under 134.5
St. Bonaventure moneyline + both teams score 60+ points
Overall, this will likely look more like a MACtion Tuesday night football game with how scrappy these two defenses have been this year. Both teams have combined to go 36-27 betting the Under this season behind defenses that are both Top 100 in adjusted efficiency.
However, both programs are capable of putting 60 on the board with dynamic guards. Council is such a high volume player — playing 39.6 MPG while averaging 15.5 PPG in A-10 play — and Sullinger is a capable shooter that can get to the free throw line despite lacking the size his uncle Jared possesses.
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Kent State vs St. Bonaventure odds
Kent State vs St. Bonaventure live odds
Kent State vs St. Bonaventure opening odds
- Spread: Kent State +5.5 | St. Bonaventure -5.5
- Moneyline: Kent State +165 | St. Bonaventure -250
- Over/Under: Over 132 | Under 132
Odds courtesy of bet365
Kent State vs St. Bonaventure betting trend to know
St. Bonaventure has covered the spread in 19 of its last 32 games (+4.70 Units / 13% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Kent State vs. St. Bonaventure.
How to watch Kent State vs St. Bonaventure
| Location | Reilly Center, St. Bonaventure, NY |
| Date | Tuesday, 3-18-2025 |
| Tip-off | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Kent State vs St. Bonaventure key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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