The Kent State Golden Flashes will take on the Illinois State Redbirds in the NIT Tournament. This postseason game will be held at CEFCU Arena in Normal, IL. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Kent State has had a strong season with a 24-9 overall record and a 15-5 record in the Mid-American Conference. In their recent games, they lost to Akron by 7 points but secured wins against Ohio and Western Michigan. Last postseason, they had wins over St. Bonaventure and Stanford before losing to Loyola Chicago.
Illinois State finished their regular season with a 20-12 overall record and a 12-9 record in the Missouri Valley Conference. They recently lost to Northern Iowa by 22 points but had wins against Belmont and Northern Iowa earlier. In the 2025 postseason, they defeated Presbyterian, Incarnate Word, and Cleveland State.
Illinois State Preview
The Illinois State Redbirds are part of the Missouri Valley Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 20-12. Their conference record was 12-9. This shows they had a solid season with more wins than losses.
In the 2025 postseason, the Redbirds won three games. They beat Presbyterian 78-70, Incarnate Word 78-73, and Cleveland State 79-68. These victories indicate their ability to perform well in important games.
During the 2026 regular season, the Redbirds scored an average of 75.1 points per game. Their field goal percentage was 46.7%, which ranked them 90th. They also made 8.6 three-pointers per game, showing their strength in shooting from long range.
In recent games, the Redbirds had mixed results. They won against Belmont Bruins 81-74 and Northern Iowa Panthers 71-69. However, they lost to Northern Iowa Panthers 52-74 at home. These outcomes reflect their competitive nature and ability to win close games.
Kent State Preview
Kent State Golden Flashes are part of the Mid-American Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they had a strong record of 24 wins and 9 losses. Their conference record was 15 wins and 5 losses. This shows they are competitive in their conference.
In the 2025 postseason, Kent State had some success. They won against St. Bonaventure with a score of 75-56. They also won a close game against Stanford, 77-75. However, they lost to Loyola Chicago, 62-72, ending their postseason run.
Recent games show mixed results for Kent State. They lost to Akron Zips by 7 points, scoring 68 while Akron scored 75. Before that, they won against Ohio Bobcats with a score of 86-75. They also won against Western Michigan Broncos, 86-78.
Key players for Kent State include Delrecco Gillespie and Morgan Safford. Gillespie averages 18.1 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Safford averages 14.2 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Their contributions are vital to the team’s performance.
Statistical Breakdown for Illinois State vs Kent State
The game between Illinois State Redbirds and Kent State Golden Flashes will be influenced by key stats. Kent State scores 85.1 points per game, which is higher than Illinois State’s 75.1 points. Kent State also makes more three-pointers and free throws per game. Illinois State has a better field goal percentage, which could help them stay competitive. Rebounding and turnovers will also play a role in the outcome.
- Kent State Points Per Game: 85.1
- Illinois State Points Per Game: 75.1
- Kent State 3PT Made Per Game: 9.8
- Illinois State 3PT Made Per Game: 8.6
- Kent State Free Throws Made Per Game: 19.6
- Illinois State Free Throws Made Per Game: 12.7
- Kent State Field Goal Percentage: 45.2%
- Illinois State Field Goal Percentage: 46.7%
- Kent State Rebounds Per Game: 39.6
- Illinois State Rebounds Per Game: 35.7
- Kent State Turnovers Per Game: 13.1
- Illinois State Turnovers Per Game: 11.1
Betting Insights
As Kent State Golden Flashes and Illinois State Redbirds prepare for their game, bettors have key trends to consider. Kent State has struggled against the spread recently, while Illinois State has shown strength as underdogs. These insights can help guide betting decisions for this matchup. Below are the top five betting trends to keep in mind.
- Kent State is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Illinois State is 13-3 ATS as underdogs.
- Kent State is 0-3 O/U in their last 3 games.
- Illinois State is 0-3 O/U in their last 3 games.
- Kent State is 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Illinois State vs Kent State
In this game, Illinois State Redbirds have the advantage of playing at home. Their scoring average is lower than Kent State’s, but they have a better field goal percentage. This could help them stay in the game. Their recent win against Belmont Bruins shows they can perform well in tight situations.
Kent State Golden Flashes have a higher scoring average and make more three-pointers. They also have strong players like Delrecco Gillespie and Morgan Safford. However, their recent struggles against the spread might affect their confidence. They will need to focus on reducing turnovers to stay competitive.
The game will likely be close, with both teams having strengths and weaknesses. Illinois State’s home advantage and better field goal percentage might give them the edge. Kent State’s scoring power will keep them in the game, but Illinois State could come out on top.
- Our Free Prediction: Illinois State -6.5
