The Buffalo Bulls (15-16, 9-9) and Akron Zips (21-10, 13-5) meet Thursday in a Mid-American Tournament first-round matchup. Tip from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland is at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Buffalo vs. Akron odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Buffalo heads into the tournament with 3 wins in the last 4 games, while going 2-2 ATS during the span. It likely wanted to draw anybody else but Akron, as the Bulls lost 81-64 at home on Jan. 31, while suffering an 86-66 setback in Akron on Feb. 18.
Akron is looking to become the first back-to-back MAC Tournment champ since Buffalo in 2018-19. The Zips have won 4 of the last 6 games overall, while going 3-2-1 ATS. The Over has cashed in 3 in a row, and 6 of the last 8 outings overall.
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Buffalo vs. Akron odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:41 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Bufalo +245 (bet $100 to win $245) | Miami -330 (bet $330 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Buffalo +7.5 (-110) | Akron -7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Buffalo vs. Akron picks and predictions
Prediction
Akron 79, Buffalo 69
Moneyline
Akron is way too expensive for a standalone bet. AVOID and focus on the spread instead.
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Against the spread
Consider AKRON -7.5 (-110) in the tournament opener for both sides.
Buffalo +7.5 (-110) is 2-6 ATS in the last 8 games overall, while also failing to cash in its last 5 games against winning teams. Akron has cashed in 4 straight games against teams with a losing overall record.
Over/Under
OVER 146.5 (-110) is the lean, but go lightly, with a half-unit at best.
The Over-Under split in the 2 regular-season meetings between these teams. The Over is 6-2 in the last 8 games overall for the Zips, however, while cashing in 2 of the final 3 regular-season games for the Bulls.
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