...
...
Read Article
Northern Illinois vs. Kent State prediction: Kent State favored to win men's college basketball matchup [1/3/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Dave Garofolo, Content Producer
Get Northern Illinois vs Kent State predictions for college basketball Saturday.
Kent State will square off with Northern Illinois in men's college basketball action at Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center on Saturday, starting at 1:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulation results, Dimers' proven college basketball model predicts Kent State as the most likely winner of the Northern Illinois vs. Kent State game.
This article offers further insights into Saturday's matchup, including an expanded look at the predicted score, best bets and picks.
Northern Illinois vs. Kent State prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using trusted machine learning and data, we have simulated the result of Saturday's NCAA basketball game between Northern Illinois and Kent State 10,000 times as part of our men's college basketball predictions coverage.
Our leading predictive model currently gives Kent State a 93% chance of beating Northern Illinois. Our predicted final score has Kent State winning 87-70.
According to our model, Kent State (-16.5) has a 52% chance of covering the spread, while the 158.5-point over/under has an equal 50-50 chance of hitting.
Northern Illinois vs. Kent State odds
We have researched the best men's college basketball odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Northern Illinois | Kent State |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | +16.5 (-105) | -16.5 (-112) |
| Moneyline | +1160 | -2100 |
| Total | o158.5 (-110) | u158.5 (-110) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Northern Illinois vs. Kent State picks and best bet
After matching our probabilities against the best available odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Kent State -16.5 | -112 |
| Moneyline | Northern Illinois | +1160 |
| Total | Over 158.5 | -110 |
According to our men's college basketball best bets, the top play to make on this game is Northern Illinois to win.
Northern Illinois vs. Kent State game-day updates and essential details
Saturday's men's college basketball action between Kent State and Northern Illinois at Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center is scheduled to commence at 1:00 PM ET.
- Who: Northern Illinois vs. Kent State
- Date: Saturday, January 3, 2026
- Time: 1:00 PM ET/10:00AM PT
- Venue: Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center
Conclusion
We predict Kent State, with a 93% win probability, will likely beat Northern Illinois on Saturday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Northern Illinois vs. Kent State insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Note: Clicking links to our partners may earn us a referral fee. Learn about how we review products and services.
Dave Garofolo uses sophisticated AI-driven analytics to make predictions and evaluate player performances in the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, NCAAM, and PGA TOUR tournaments, crafting insightful game and prop previews.
Advertiser disclosure