Among the Top 6 favorites in the NIT odds, Stanford heads into the second round coming off a blowout win over Cal State Northridge, but now must take on a Kent State squad that shocked St. Bonaventure in the first round.
With a trip to the NIT Elite Eight on the line, both the Cardinal and Golden Flash will need their defenses to continue their strong play if they hope to pull out a win. My Kent State vs. Stanford predictions and college basketball picks for Sunday, March 22 expects points to be hard to come by in this second round matchup.
Who will win Kent State vs Stanford?
Although Kent State played one of its best games of the season in the first round, this Stanford team is far more complete than the Bonnies squad they beat by 19. The Cardinal are a Top 80 team by KenPom with a star big man in Frenchman Maxime Raynaud. First-year Stanford head coach Kyle Smith looks poised to lead his team to a win, I’m projecting a win for the Cardinal.
Kent State vs Stanford prediction
My best bet: Under 141 (-110 at bet365)
These two teams have been on a tear when it comes to hitting the Under this season. The Stanford Cardinal and the Kent State Golden Flashes are a combined 39-27 betting the Under this year with the Golden Flashes 62.5% Under rate putting them in the Top 30 in the country.
A big part of why Kent State has hit so many Unders is because this defense is legit. It ranks Top 85 in adjusted efficiency, and the Golden Flash are 70th in the country in points allowed per game (68.0), field goal percentage allowed (41.8%), 2-pointers allowed (15.6), and 3-point percentage allowed (31.5%).
In their first round upset of St. Bonaventure, they held the Bonnies to 12 fewer points than they averaged per game this season. With a pesky on-ball defender in Jalen Sullinger, a versatile wing in Voncameron Davis, and a shot-blocking rim protector in Cli’Ron Hornbreak, Kent State should give Stanford a tough time, even with Raynaud.
The Cardinal’s offense isn’t very efficient either. It ranks outside the Top 250 in field goal percentage (43.5%) and was 13th in ACC play in PPG (70.5). Outside of Raynaud, Smith’s squad doesn’t have many trustworthy scorers.
However, it should help Stanford win (and cash this Under) that Kent State’s offense is one of the worst in the country. The Golden Flash are 200th in adjusted offensive efficiency and are outside the Top 200 in field goal percentage (43.8%) and made 3-pointers per game (7.3).
This should be an ugly, slow-paced contest.
Kent State vs Stanford same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 141
Stanford -7
Stanford to win and either team not to score 60 points
Neither of these offenses play with tempo nor efficient shooting, but Raynaud will be a game-changer for Stanford, and the reason the Cardinal cover. He’s a 7-foot-1 double-double machine who can stretch the floor and create all kinds of mismatches.
Raynaud is averaging 20.1 PPG and 10.6 RPG and is hitting 34.1% from deep, and Kent State doesn’t have anyone who can contain him for 40 minutes. The Golden Flashes also don’t have anyone capable of taking over as a scorer, which is why they’ll struggle to crack 60.
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Kent State vs Stanford odds
Kent State vs Stanford live odds
Kent State vs Stanford opening odds
- Spread: Kent State +7.5 | Stanford -7.5
- Moneyline: Kent State +260 | Stanford -320
- Over/Under: Over 138.5 | Under 138.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Kent State vs Stanford betting trend to know
Kent State has hit the game total Under in 20 of its last 31 games (+7.90 Units / 23% ROI). Find more college basketball betting trends for Kent State vs. Stanford.
How to watch Kent State vs Stanford
| Location | Maples Pavilion, Stanford, CA |
| Date | Sunday, 3-23-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN2 |
Kent State vs Stanford key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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