On Friday, the Kennesaw State Owls made the trip up from Georgia to play the Indiana Hoosiers. It is one of seven NCAA basketball games today and is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
Both teams have been very good to start the season as the Indiana Hoosiers basketball record is 9-3 and Kennesaw State’s is 84. In fact, it may be the best matchup on Friday’s light NCAAB schedule.
It is the final tune-up on the Kennesaw State basketball schedule before the Owls return home for Atlantic Sun Conference play. The Hoosiers already started Big Ten Conference play by losing at Rutgers and beating Nebraska at home to start 1-1 in their college basketball standings.
Before making Kennesaw State vs. Indiana betting picks, here’s a look at each team, odds, and more.
Kennesaw State Owls vs. Indiana Hoosiers Game Info and Analysis
Matchup Info
It is the third meeting between the two programs. The Hoosiers are 2-0 and last won 99-72 on Dec. 22, 2015, at Assembly Hall. The previous meeting in 2013 was a 90-66 Indiana victory.
Kennesaw State Owls Performance Recap and Analysis
Kennesaw State has already put together a strong season with an 8-4 record. However, the Owls have played a softer schedule and were blown out by San Diego State, 88-54, in the lone game against a team ranked in the top 25 at any point this season.
That being said, Kennesaw State has fared well on both ends of the court in games it has played. The Owls rank 165th nationally in scoring 73.1 points per game. They are 197th in making 44.4% of field goal attempts and 47th in making 37.8% of 3-pointers. However, they are 343rd in making 63.2% of free throw attempts.
Defensively, the Owls are 108th in allowing 65.9 points per game. They are 191st in holding teams to 42.9% on field goal attempts and 97th in limiting teams to making 30.9% of their 3-point shots.
A roster full of guards is led by Chris Youngblood, who is 6 foot 4. He averages 14.2 points per game to lead the team. Terrell Burden, who is 5 foot 10, is averaging 11.3 points per game and leads the team at 3.8 assists per game and 55.6% on 3-pointers.
Key Injuries
There are no injuries to report for the Owls.
Betting Trends to Know
Kennesaw State is 6-3 against the spread and 5-4 on over/under this season. The Owls are 3-3 straight up on the road. They are 4-1 against the spread as underdogs, with the lone loss as 19-point underdogs against San Diego State. The Owls are 5-1 against the spread on the road.
Indiana Hoosiers Performance Recap and Analysis
The Hoosiers are one of the best teams in the country and were the preseason pick to win the Big Ten. They are a standout team offensively and have been strong defensively.Indiana is 32nd in scoring 81.0 points per game. The Hoosiers are sixth in making 50.8% field goal attempts and 83rd in making 36.3% of 3-point shots. They are 179th with a 70.6% conversion rate on free throws. They are also 104th in grabbing 34.3 rebounds per game.
Defensively, the Hoosiers are 114th in allowing 66.2 points per game and 62nd in forcing teams to convert 40.3% of field goal attempts. They also hold teams to 31.9% on 3-point shots, which is 133rd. Teams only grab 29.8 rebounds per game against them, which ranks 116th.
The Hoosiers lead the Big Ten Conference in assists with 17.8 per game. They are led by Xavier Johnson, who is out, and freshman Jalen Hood-Schifino, who is eighth in the league at 4.4 assists per game.
One of the best college basketball players in the country is Trayce Jackson-Davis. He is the only Hoosiers player in double figures at 16.4 points per game, with 8.2 rebounds per game, 2.8 assists, and 2.7 blocks. He also leads the team in rebounding and blocking.
Key Injuries
Perhaps the biggest name on the college basketball injury report is point guard Xavier Johnson. He is the second-leading scorer at 9.9 points per game but is the team leader in assists at 4.9 per game. He recently had surgery on his foot, hoping he would return to Big Ten play.
Potentially problematic would be losing Jackson-Davis, who is questionable for undisclosed reasons. Forward Jordan Geronimo is doubtful with a finger injury.
Betting Trends to Know
The Hoosiers are 6-5-1 against the spread and 8-4 on over/unders this season. They are 7-0 straight up at home. They are 2-1-1 against the spread as favorites, including a 1-0 record on a spread between 12.5 to 14.5 points. This is the largest point spread they have been favored by.
Kennesaw State Owls vs. Indiana Hoosiers Odds
NCAA odds show the Hoosiers as 19-point favorites with an over/under 142 points. The Owls are +1500 on the money line while the Hoosiers are -4000.
That forming college basketball picks and parlays should look at Indiana’s points and assists totals for Galloway and Hood-Schifino with the injury to Johnson before solidifying Kennesaw State vs. Indiana betting picks.
Kennesaw State Owls vs. Indiana Hoosiers Betting Picks
The Owls could make a game of this if they are on with their 3-point shooting, especially given the Hoosiers’ injury issues. Without two of their starters, the Hoosiers could go from one of the best NCAA basketball teams to mid-tier.
Here is a look at our Kennesaw State vs. Indiana betting picks.
- Moneyline: Even with the possibility of missing their stars, the Hoosiers have enough talent to get by with Race Thompson and a complement of guards and wings.
- Over/Under: We’ll take under 142, given that the Hoosiers will be without their starting point guard and potential All-American hopeful.
- Spread: We’d wait on this selection for Jackson-Davis’ status, but we’ll figure he plays and go Indiana -19. Though if he is out, we may be quick to flip.
Kennesaw State Owls vs. Indiana Hoosiers Score Prediction
It will be interesting to see how the Hoosiers’ backup guards run the offense with Johnson out. One of the best passing teams should still be OK due to the system in place, but we’ll see.NCAAB Pick: Indiana 71, Kennesaw State 49
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