Kent State Golden Flashes vs Illinois State Redbirds Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Kent State Golden Flashes will be on the road Wednesday night with a game in Normal, IL at 8:00 PM against the Illinois State Redbirds in round one of the NIT tournament, and we have you ready to roll with our Kent State vs Illinois State prediction. Kent State comes into the postseason with 24 wins and 9 losses on the year. Illinois State will be back at home Wednesday night with twenty wins and 12 losses this season. The Golden Flashes come into this game having won three of the last five, following a 7-point loss in their last outing to end a three-game skid. Illinois State has won three of its last five following a 22-point loss against Northern Iowa last time out. Read more about this Kent State vs Illinois State prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
Kent State hunts the road win
The Kent State offense has averaged 85.1 points on 45% shooting from the floor this season, but the Golden Flashes have averaged only 69 points per game over their last two losses. Defensively, Kent State is allowing 79.6 points per game this season through 33 games played. Offensively, Kent State was bad in their last outing, scoring just 68 points on 29% shooting and 26% from beyond the arc. Defensively, the Golden Flashes were outmatched, giving up 75 points on 45% shooting from the floor. Kent State won the rebounding battle by 8, but turned the ball over 9 times in the loss.
Delrecco Gillespie leads the Kent State offense this season, averaging 18.1 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Morgan Safford is averaging 14.2 points, and Rob Whaley Jr. averages 11.6 points per game. Cion Medley is 4th on the team, averaging 10.8 points to go along with the team-leading 6.4 assists per game. Jahari Williamson is the fifth player on the team in double digits emerging 10.3 points in nearly 25 minutes per game.
Key Injury Report for Kent State:
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- None
Illinois State looks to end skid
The Illinois State offense has carried the team this season, averaging 75.1 points on 47% shooting from the floor, but the Redbirds have averaged only 56 points per game over their last two losses. Defensively, Illinois State is allowing 68.4 points per game this season, but has given up an average of 74 points per game over the last two losses. Illinois State was terrible on the offensive end in their last outing, scoring just 52 points on 33% shooting and 15% from beyond the arc. Defensively, Illinois State was obliterated, giving up 74 points on 54% shooting. Illinois State lost the rebounding battle by 9 and turned the ball over 10 times, resulting in the loss.
Chase Walker leads the Illinois State offense this season, averaging 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Johnny Kinziger is second on the roster with 11.4 points to go along with the team-leading 3.2 assists. Ty’Reek Coleman averages 10.3 points per game, and Boden Skunberg is 4th on the team with 10.1 points per game this season.
Key Injury Report for Illinois State:
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Kent State vs Illinois State Pick
- Kent State vs Illinois State Spread Pick
Both teams enter this game with similar records, and each will look to compete in Wednesday night's matchup. Kent State has an elite offense that will give a strong Illinois defense trouble. Look for Kent State to make plays throughout this game to keep things close, as an outright win is possible. Illinois State should do the job and get the win, but Kent State will cover the big number Wednesday night on the road.
- Kent State vs Illinois State Over/Under Pick
Both teams score the ball pretty well, but each has a solid enough defense. Illinois State is one of the better defenses in the country, and that will weather the storm on Wednesday night. Look for Illinois State to set the tone as they control this game from the opening minutes, leading to the victory. Take the red birds to get the win as the total goes under the number Wednesday night in round one of the NIT tournament.
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