The No. 6-seed Ball State Cardinals (14-16) and No. 3 Ohio Bobcats (23-8) clash in a Thursday night bracket showdown in Cleveland. The quarterfinal contest of the 2022 Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse is slated for a 6:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Ball State vs. Ohio odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Ball State went 9-10 in placing second in the MAC West Division. The Cardinals rely on strong 3-point shooting (36.2%, second-MAC) to counter shaky defense at the other end of the floor (76.8 points allowed per game). BSU allowed 87 points to this Ohio five Feb. 1.
Including that Feb. 1 game — an 87-63 OU conquest — Ohio went 8-1 from Jan. 25-Feb. 15. Shooting and rebounding issues have plagued the Bobcats since: they enter this tournament just 1-4 over their last five games. Ohio earned its No. 3 seed by going 14-6 across 20 MAC games.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Ball State vs. Ohio odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Ball State +270 (bet $100 to win $270) | Ohio -360 (bet $360 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Ball State +7.5 (-110) | Ohio -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
[tipico]
Ball State vs. Ohio odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio 79, Ball State 67
Money line
At one point in the season, Ohio looked to be headed toward a No. 1 seed in this tournament. Few teams launch as many triples and perhaps a late-season slump from beyond the arc (31.6% last five games) has been most responsible for the late slide in the standings.
A year ago — also under head coach Jeff Boals — OU struggled midseason, then righted the ship, and went onto to win this MAC bracket.
A return to a more established form against a Ball State five that struggles in defending the perimeter makes the Bobcats worth a line watch here: consider a play on Ohio at -340 or better.
Against the spread
The Bobcats are 6-1 ATS in their last seven neutral-site games.
Peg the talent base of this OU squad being some 10 points the better in this one.
BACK OHIO -7.5 (-110).
Over/Under
No acceptable margins on either side of this figure: AVOID.
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