Stanford Cardinal vs Kent State Golden Flashes Picks and Predictions March 23rd 2025

Kent State Faces Stanford in NIT Showdown

The Kent State Golden Flashes are in for a long, eventful journey as they head west to face the Stanford Cardinal in the second round of the NIT on Sunday night. Fresh off their impressive win over St. Bonaventure, Kent State (23-11) is determined to keep their postseason hopes alive as they battle the No. 2 seed Stanford Cardinal (21-13) on their home turf.

The Golden Flashes made a pit stop back home in Ohio after their convincing 75-56 victory against St. Bonaventure, where they showcased balanced scoring and dominant performances from Cli’Ron Hornbeak and Delrecco Gillespie. Both players recorded double-doubles, with Hornbeak posting 11 points and 12 rebounds and Gillespie adding 12 points and 10 boards.

Now, they find themselves on the West Coast, preparing to face Stanford, who cruised past Cal State Northridge 87-70 in their NIT opener.

Golden Flashes Aim to Continue NIT Success

After their heartbreaking loss to Miami (Ohio) in the Mid-American Conference tournament semifinals, Kent State needed to bounce back strong. Thanks to their NIT invitation, the team found new motivation and displayed impressive resilience in their first-round triumph.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to get invited to play in the NIT,” said head coach Rob Senderoff. “It’s a testament to what our team has accomplished this season. I’m glad our seniors get a chance to play in the postseason and our underclassmen get another chance to play for our seniors.”

Kent State’s balanced approach and dedication to strong rebounding have been their strengths. The team will rely on their ability to control the boards and make crucial defensive stops against Stanford’s imposing frontcourt.

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Stanford Eyes Quarterfinals Berth

On the other hand, the Stanford Cardinal head into the matchup with plenty of confidence after dispatching Cal State Northridge. The Cardinal’s star center, Maxime Raynaud, led the way with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocks. Oziyah Sellers added 20 points, showcasing his scoring ability from the perimeter.

Raynaud, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team performer, has been a consistent force all season, averaging 20.1 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. His 24 double-doubles rank him as one of the nation’s elite inside players.

“You gotta train your mind and your body to play this time of year,” said Stanford coach Kyle Smith. “That’s why I was proud of our guys. I said the reason you’re here is because you have the capacity to do both, and that’s what makes Stanford unique.”

The Cardinal’s strategy will revolve around controlling the paint, utilizing their size advantage, and leveraging Raynaud’s dominance on both ends of the floor.

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Key Players to Watch

Kent State Golden Flashes

• Cli’Ron Hornbeak: 11 points, 12 rebounds in the last game.
• Delrecco Gillespie: 12 points, 10 rebounds in the first-round win.

Stanford Cardinal

• Maxime Raynaud: 22 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks against Cal State Northridge.
• Oziyah Sellers: Scored 20 points, efficient from the perimeter.

Betting Insights and Prediction

The odds favor Stanford, but Kent State’s recent form and strong defensive play could keep this matchup closer than anticipated. With both teams riding high from first-round wins, expect a highly competitive game that could come down to who wins the battle in the paint.

Prediction: Stanford 78, Kent State 70
Best Bet: Stanford -7.5

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Final Thoughts

Kent State’s resilience and balanced scoring make them a tough matchup, but Stanford’s size and talent on the inside give them a slight edge. Look for the Cardinal to dominate the boards and advance to the quarterfinals.

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