Akron Zips betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

March Madness: Akron vs. Creighton odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Akron vs. Creighton odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The No. 14 seed Akron Zips (24-10) face off against the 3rd-seeded Creighton Bluejays (23-9) Thursday in a 1st-round game in the NCAA Tournament. Tip from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Akron vs. Creighton odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Akron just finished an amazing 3-game run to win the MAC Tournament title, capped by a 62-61 title-game victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes. They didn’t cover the spread as a 4.5-point underdog and the Under (132) cashed. Akron is led by the MAC Player of the Year F Enrique Freeman, who averaged 18.6 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. The Zips were 15-16-1 against the spread (ATS) for the season, and just 3-7 ATS over their last 10 regular-season games — they went 1-1-1 ATS in the conference tourney.

The Bluejays were upset in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament by the Providence Friars 78-73. They lost as 8.5-point favorites and the Over (141.5) cashed. Creighton brings a lot of offensive firepower to the court with 3 players averaging over 17 in G Baylor Scheierman (18.4 points per game), G Trey Alexander (17.6) and C Ryan Kalkbrenner (17.1). The Bluejays finished 17-15 ATS, including 7-1 ATS in their last 8 regular-season games.

Creighton is No. 11 in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.

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Akron vs. Creighton odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:15 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Akron +680 (bet $100 to win $680) | Creighton -1100 (bet $100 to win $1,100)
Against the spread: Akron +13.5 (-115) | Creighton -13.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Akron at Creighton picks and predictions

Prediction

Creighton 80, Akron 64

Moneyline

PASS.

You should obviously avoid betting Creighton (-1100) as these odds are pretty steep. One would have to risk 11 times the potential profit. That’s just not smart sports betting. Back the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

BET CREIGHTON -13.5 (-105).

I went to one of the most infamous mid-major schools in March Madness history (George Mason), so I typically love to root for the Cinderella story, but it’s not going to happen for the Zips in 2024. They are overmatched in this 1st-round game against the Bluejays.

Creighton is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games, including the loss to Providence, while Akron is 2-7-1 ATS over its last 10. The Bluejays have wins over the No. 1 (UConn) and No. 8 (Marquette) teams in the country over the last month. They averaged a 12-point margin of victory during Big East play.

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Over/Under

PASS.

Both of these teams are very hit-or-miss when it comes to the O/U this season. Akron is 4-6 O/U in its last 10 games; Creighton is 6-4 O/U in its last 10. I don’t love betting on what is basically a coin flip. Save your money for Creighton covering the spread.

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MAC Tournament: Kent State vs. Akron odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Kent State vs. Akron odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Kent State Golden Flashes (17-16) and Akron Zips (23-10) meet in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament Championship Game Saturday at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Kent State vs. Akron odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 8th-seeded Golden Flashes have been disruptive in Cleveland. They came into the tourney under .500, but upended No. 1 seed Toledo, while topping Bowling Green 73-60 in the semifinals. Kent State ended the regular season 2-4 straight up (SU), while going 0-6 against the spread (ATS), but they’re 2-0 SU/ATS in the tourney, cashing the Under in both outings.

The 2nd-seeded Zips meet their rivals for a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Akron swept the regular-season series, while also covering both of the games. The average margin of victory was 9.5 points per game (PPG), and the Over cashed in both regular-season meetings.

Like Kent State, Akron skidded to the finish line of the regular season. It lost 3 of the final 4 games, while failing to cover 4 straight. The Zips were 1-7 ATS in the final 8 games, too, with the lone cover a win over the Golden Flashes.

– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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Kent State vs. Akron odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Kent State +162 (bet $100 to win $162) | Akron -196 (bet $196 to win $100)
Against the spread: Kent State +4.5 (-110) | Akron -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Kent State vs. Akron picks and predictions

Prediction

Akron 70, Kent State 67

Moneyline

Akron (-196) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s too much risk for not enough reward.

Kent State (+162) has been a problem in this MAC Tournament in his improbable run. While the Zips handled the Golden Flashes quite handily in the regular season, Kent State is playing with a lot of confidence this week.

PASS, and look to the spread instead.

Against the spread

KENT STATE +4.5 (-110) is worth playing, as the No. 8 seed looks to make magic going from worst to first. The Golden Flashes are likely to come up short, but it should be a raucous crowd in Cleveland with the fans of both of these Northeast Ohio schools making for a magical atmosphere.

The underdog is 4-3 ATS in the previous 7 meetings, and you can expect a very close game, perhaps coming down to the final possession, for a chance to go to the NCAA Tournament.

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Over/Under

OVER 131.5 (-110) is the best play on the board in this MAC Tournament Championship.

The Over has cashed in 4 consecutive meetings between these rivals, including 153 combined points in Akron on Feb. 23 in the most recent meeting with a total of just 135.

And while Kent State has cashed the Under in the 2 tourney games, the Over still has a 4-3 edge in the past 7 games dating back to the regular season. The Over is also 4-3 in the past 7 games for Akron, too.

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MAC Tournament: Akron vs. Kent State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Akron at Kent State odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The 3rd-seeded Akron Zips (22-10) and No. 2 Kent State Golden Flashes (26-6) meet in a Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal Friday. The intrastate battle at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Akron vs. Kent State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Akron defeated No. 6 Buffalo 101-77 as an 8.5-point favorite on Thursday and is 5-2 over its last 7 games. Its last loss was 89-84 in overtime to Kent State on March 3 as 4.5-point underdogs. Kent State shot 51.7% from the floor in that game after Akron had held the Flashes to a 37.5% mark in a 67-55 Zips win on Feb. 3.

Kent State trounced No. 7 Northern Illinois 76-57 Thursday to cover as 13.5-point favorites. The Flashes have won 4 straight and 8 of their last 9. KSU is looking to get to its 1st NCAA Tournament since 2017.

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Akron vs. Kent State odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:39 a.m. ET.

Moneyline: Off the board
Against the spread (ATS): Akron +2.5 (-120) | Kent State -2.5 (+100)
Over/Under (O/U): 134.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Akron vs. Kent State picks and predictions

Prediction

Kent State 65, Akron 63

Moneyline

Not available.

Against the spread

Look for free throws and 3s to keep Akron neck-and-neck with Kent State on Friday. The Zips are a lean, but not an actionable one unless they’re getting 3 points evenly priced (-110).

PASS.

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Over/Under

The Flashes play mid-tempo ball, while the Zips are the tortoise five in the MAC. And the lean here is on the Under because Kent games have landed on the Under more times than not when playing slow teams on their schedule (like Cleveland State, Houston, Western Michigan, UTEP).

The Under is 8-2 over the last 10 Akron-Kent battles and is 5-1 in the Zips’ last 6 neutral-site contests.

Akron likes to shoot 3s; KSU is solid in defending 3s. Both sides take care of the ball, and neither is a big threat to pile up 2nd-chance points. Both can get to the line, and that may be a danger in a close game, but on a risk/reward basis, this number is worth attacking.

TAKE THE UNDER 135.5 (-110).

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MAC Tournament: Buffalo vs. Akron odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Thursday’s Buffalo vs. Akron odds, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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)

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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2023 MAC Tournament odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing the 2023 MAC Tournament futures odds, with expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The 2023 Mid-American Conference Tournament tips off Thursday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. In the MAC, the top 8 teams qualify for the conference tournament, leaving Bowling Green (11-20, 5-13 MAC), Central Michigan (10-21, 5-13), Eastern Michigan (8-23, 5-13) and Western Michigan (8-23, 4-14) out of the festivities.

The first game of Thursday’s early session tips at 11 a.m. ET (ESPN+). The title game is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2).

Below, we analyze lines around the 2023 MAC Tournament futures odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

The Toledo Rockets (25-6) won the regular-season title — their 3rd outright in a row — behind a 16-2 record inside the conference. G RayJ Dennis led the way with 19.4 points per game (PPG), good for 2nd in the MAC, while leading the league with 5.9 assists per game (APG).

The Kent State Golden Flashes (25-6, 15-3) gave chase up to the finale, falling a game short of sharing the title. G Sincere Carry is the big man on campus for the Flashes, going for 17.4 PPG and 4.9 APG.

In fact, 3 teams from the state of Ohio placed 1-2-3 in the standings with the Akron Zips (21-10, 13-5) completing the trifecta with a 3rd-place showing.

The Zips are the defending MAC Tournament champs. Akron dumped Kent State 75-55 last March in the title game behind the exploits of F Enrique Freeman (game-high 23 points). The Zips were 1-point underdogs in that contest.

Freeman was the conference’s top rebounder, pulling down 11.1 per game to finish as the MAC’s only player in double-digits in the category. He was 2nd in the league with a 60.5% field-goal percentage (according to the league’s official website) and 9th in scoring (16.5 PPG). Akron also had the MAC’s top scorer in G Xavier Castaneda, who filled up the stat sheet with 21.4 PPG – good enough for 12th in the country.

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MAC Tournament futures odds

Provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 3:09 a.m. ET.

1 seed: Toledo Rockets +150 (bet $100 to win $150)

2 seed: Kent State Golden Flashes +200 (bet $100 to win $200)

3 seed: Akron Zips +350 (bet $100 to win $350)

4 seed: Ohio Bobcats +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000)

5 seed: Ball State Cardinals +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500)

6 seed: Buffalo Bulls +2000 (bet $100 to win $2,000)

7 seed: Northern Illinois Huskies +8000 (bet $100 to win $8,000)

8 seed: Miami (Ohio) RedHawks +10000 (bet $100 to win $10,000)

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MAC Tournament expert pick and prediction

Akron Zips (+350)

To be the champ, you have to beat the champ. The Zips know what it takes to get to the top of the mountain. Look for Akron to repeat and become the first back-to-back MAC Tournament winner since Buffalo (2018 and 2019).

Along with the MAC’s top scorer in Castaneda, the Zips feature Freeman, who was last season’s tourney MVP. The duo give Akron a tremendous one-two punch. G Trendon Hankerson can be a serviceable tertiary scorer, too, posting 8.9 PPG, although he is rather erratic in the FG department, struggling at 37.6% (92 of 245), per the team’s official website. However, he did hit 37.5% of his 3-point attempts (69 of 184).

The Zips aren’t a great shooting team, so that’s the concern with picking Akron to go all the way. Despite a subpar 43.9% FG percentage (ranking 10th in the MAC), it still managed 73.8 PPG (7th) and hit 35.1% from behind the arc (4th). Defensively, the Zips limited opponents to 66.2 PPG (2nd behind Kent State’s 65.4%), although they are susceptible to the 3-pointer, allowing teams to hit at a 34.5% clip (7th).

Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

MAC Tournament contenders

These teams are worth a futures bet to win the conference title.

Toledo Rockets (+150)

The Rockets are the chalk, but they certainly have flaws. The good news is that Toledo led the league in scoring (85.7 PPG) and swept the regular-season series against defending conference tournament champ Akron. The bad news is that Toledo was worked over by Kent State 75-63 back on Jan. 10, though the Golden Flashes were 4-point home favorites.

Along with Dennis, Toledo has F JT Shumate, who racked up 16.5 PPG and hit 41.5% of his 3-point attempts. F Setric Millner Jr. chipped in with 15.9 PPG, giving the Rockets a solid 3-headed scoring monster.

However, defense wins championships and the Rockets had ugly numbers on that end of the floor. They allowed 76.1 PPG to rank 320th in the country according to NCAA.com, while opponents hit 45.8% from the field (298th) and 36.1% from 3 (299th), which also ranked 11th in the 12-team MAC.

If the Rockets don’t improve defensively, they’ll have a tough time winning this tournament.

Kent State Golden Flashes (+200)

As mentioned above, the Golden Flashes finished 1 game back of the Rockets for the regular-season title despite beating Toledo by 12 in their lone regular-season meeting, which was at Kent. The Flashes split with the 3rd-place Zips, winning 89-84 in overtime as 5-point home favorites in Friday’s regular-season finale, and losing 67-55 as 1-point road favorites Feb. 3.

Kent, which has won 7 of its last 8 games, can light up the scoreboard like Toledo, going for 76.0 PPG (5th in the MAC), although it is a poor 3-point shooting team at 33.7% (8th). However, Kent State is a much more superior defensive club than Toledo as the Golden Flashes led the MAC in least points allowed (65.4). They really threw a blanket on the opposition during the season, holding teams to a 40.1% FG percentage — 1st in the MAC and 18th in the country.

MAC Tournament long shots

Ball State Cardinals (+1500)

The Cardinals (20-11, 11-7) have the 5th-longest odds to cut down the nets after Saturday’s title game, but they are a 20-win team with plenty of confidence.

Ball State scored a 12-point win (82-70) over Kent State Feb. 21, cashing outright as a 3-point home underdog. The Rockets also scored an impressive 90-83 victory at Toledo Jan. 3 as 8.5-point underdogs. In fact, Ball State seems to relish the underdog role lately, covering in 2 of its last 3 games when it was getting points.

OHIO BOBCATS (+1000)

Ohio is almost like a poor man’s Toledo. This team can score with the best of them, but it doesn’t put up much resistance defensively.

The Bobcats went for 78.6 PPG, 2nd in the MAC and 34th in the country. If Ohio gets hot from behind the arc, it could be dangerous. The Bobcats hit 37.2% from downtown, good for 36th in the nation. F Dwight Wilson III is a handful, going for 15.9 PPG and 9.1 RPG, and he hit 62.0% from the field.

Defensively, the ‘Cats allowed 72.9 PPG, which was 4th in the conference but 261st in the country. Defense will likely be their downfall. Still, Ohio is worth a small-unit play for a chance to cash a 10-to-1 payout.

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Akron at Kent State odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Frriay’s Akron at Kent State odds and lines, with expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.

The Akron Zips (21-9, 13-4 Mid-American) host the Kent State Golden Flashes (24-6, 14-3) in the Memorial A and C Center Friday at 6 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Kent State vs. Akron odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

After defeating Kent State 67-55 as 1-point underdogs at home on Feb. 3, Akron will now have to defeat the Golden Flashes on the road, where it is just 5-5 this season. Kent State is perfect at home (14-0).

Both teams are on 2-game winning streaks. This will be a defense-1st matchup in a battle for 2nd place in the conference as both teams have better-than-average defenses. Akron allows 65.5 points, good for 57th in the nation, while Kent State ranks 41st at 64.7 PPG.

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Kent State at Akron odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:36 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Akron +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Kent State -160 (bet $180 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Akron +3.5 (-105) | Kent State -3.5 (-115)
Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Kent State at Akron picks and predictions

Prediction

Kent State 65, Akron 62

Moneyline

PASS.

While Akron and Kent State are both good teams, Kent State has not lost yet this season at home and Akron has struggled on the road. But at -180, I am not going to make a play on a straight wager. But I wouldn’t mind adding the Golden Flashes to a parlay offering.

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Against the spread

AKRON +3.5 (-105)

These teams thrive on defense. This was shown in the 1st meeting, a 2-point Akron win. With this game being in Kent, the Golden Flashes will have a better chance to win. But after losing by 2, I cannot trust Kent State to now win by 5. I will take the Zips at +3.5 to cover in this crucial Mid-American showdown.

Over/Under

UNDER 133.5 (-105)

The 1st meeting went Under this total. Kent State has gone Under the total in 18 of its 28 games. Akron has gone Under in 14 of 28. With defenses playing a key role, the offenses will be slow, and the points will be minimized.

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Akron at Toledo odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Akron at Toledo odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Akron Zips (19-8, 11-3 MAC) and Toledo Rockets (22-6, 12-2) tangle Tuesday in The Glass City. Tip time at Savage Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Akron vs. Toledo odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Akron had been on a roll before stumbling in back-to-back games earlier this month. The first of those losses was an 84-74 defeat against these same Rockets as a 2-point favorite on Feb. 7. The Zips have rallied by winning their last 2 games and are 10-2 since Jan. 10.

Toledo plays at high speed and its 85.0 points per game rank 1st in the MAC by a wide margin. The Rockets shot 52% from the field in the first game against UA and have hoisted shooting marks of 50%-or-higher in 7 games on their 11-game win streak.

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Akron at Toledo odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:30 a.m. ET.

Moneyline: Off the board (OTB)
Against the spread (ATS): Akron +4.5 (-110) | Toledo -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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Akron at Toledo picks and predictions

Prediction

Toledo 76, Akron 71

Moneyline

The moneyline was OTB at the time of publication.

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Against the spread

The Zips are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games against teams playing .600 ball or better. The Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and 3-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings between these programs.

UT may be a bit susceptible to a squad that can generate decent 2nd-chance opportunities and defends the 3 well, but that’s not Akron.

BACK THE ROCKETS -4.5 (-110)

Over/Under

This game offers up a big clash of pace, with Akron being ultra-slow and Toledo being rabbit-fast, making high 140s a tough total to beat. PASS.

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Akron at Eastern Michigan odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Akron at Eastern Michigan odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Akron Zips (17-8, 9-3 MAC) and Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-19, 3-9) meet Tuesday at Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Mich. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Akron vs. Eastern Michigan game odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Akron is on a 2-game losing streak, while also failing to cover both affairs. Defense, or a lack thereof, has been the culprit, allowing 84 points to Toledo and 90 to Ohio in the last 2 games.

Eastern Michigan has dropped 3 in a row, but the Eagles are hot against the number with 6 consecutive covers, including 5 games catching 8.5 or more points. The Over is 3-1 in the previous 4 games overall.

These teams met Jan. 13 in Akron, with the Zips coming away with a 104-67 rout of the Eagles as 13.5-point favorites as the Over easily connected.

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Akron at Eastern Michigan odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:15 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Akron -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Eastern Michigan +300 (bet $100 to win $300)
Against the spread (ATS): Akron -8.5 (-110) | Eastern Michigan +8.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Akron at Eastern Michigan picks and predictions

Prediction

Akron 75, Eastern Michigan 69

Moneyline

PASS. Simply, Akron is way too expensive.

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Against the spread

AKRON -8.5 (-110) is worth playing, especially since it routed Eastern Michigan in the 1st meeting this season, totaling triple digits on offense in the process.

The bet comes with some concern, as the Zips are just 2-6-1 ATS in the last 9 games on the road, but Akron is also 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 against losing teams, too.

Eastern Michigan +8.5 (-110) hasn’t won a lot lately, but it has been a cover king, and that’s a bit concerning. However, EMU is just 4-12 ATS in the last 16 at the Convocation Center, too.

Over/Under

UNDER 146.5 (-110) might be the best play on the board.

The Under is 19-9 in the past 28 games on the road for Akron, while going 7-2 in the previous 9 games against winning teams for Eastern Michigan.

And while EMU is horrific defensively, allowing 81.8 PPG, Akron hasn’t torn it up this season with just 72.4 PPG, while allowing just 64.6 PPG, top 50 in the nation.

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Toledo at Akron odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Tuesday’s Toledo at Akron odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Toledo Rockets (17-6, 8-2 MAC) visit the Akron Zips (17-6, 9-1 MAC) on Tuesday. Tip from James A. Rhodes Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Toledo vs. Akron odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Toledo throttled Central Michigan 84-59 on Saturday, covering as 18.5-point favorites. It has won 7 games straight and is 5-2 against the spread (ATS) in that span to improve to 12-9 ATS on the season.

The Zips took down Kent State 67-55 on Friday and covered as 1-point road underdogs. They enter Tuesday on an 8-game winning streak and are 5-2-1 ATS in that span. Akron is 9-11-1 ATS this season.

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Toledo at Akron odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:21 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Off the board
Against the spread (ATS): Toledo +2.5 (-110) | Akron -2.5 (-110)
Over/Under (O/U): 147.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Toledo at Akron picks and predictions

Prediction

Akron 79, Toledo 75

Moneyline

Not available.

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Against the spread

LEAN AKRON -2.5 (-110).

While both teams enter the game on impressive hot streaks, the Zips hold a clear advantage when playing on their home floor, boasting a 12-0 home record.

Akron is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 home games and 3-0-1 ATS in its last 4 following a ATS win while Toledo is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600 and 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games following an outright win of more than 20 points.

Over/Under

BET OVER 147.5 (-105).

Toledo has the 3rd-best scoring offenses in the nation, averaging 84.9 points per game and its O/U record reflects that at 14-7. At 147.5, it would be the Rockets’ lowest closing line in its last 10 games.

On the contrary, Toledo has 1 of the worst defenses in the nation, allowing 77.6 PPG (338th).

The Rockets will lean on their ability to push the pace of the game which is a great recipe for OVER 147.5 (-105).

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Kent State at Akron odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Friday’s Kent State at Akron odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Kent State Golden Flashes (18-4, 8-1 MAC) will take on the Akron Zips (16-6, 8-1) on Friday at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Kent State vs. Akron odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The Golden Flashes defeated Central Michigan 81-69 on Tuesday, failing to cover as 19-point favorites at home. Kent State is currently on a 2-game winning streak and has won 9 of its last 10 games.

The Zips beat Buffalo 81-64 on Tuesday to cover as 2.5-point favorites on the road. Akron has won 7 games in a row and has won 9 of its last 10 games.

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Kent State at Akron odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:26 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Kent State -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Akron -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Kent State +1.5 (-115) | Akron -1.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Kent State at Akron picks and predictions

Prediction

Akron 77, Kent State 73

Moneyline

I would be comfortable taking AKRON (-125) at -150 odds or better. The Zips haven’t lost at home this season and they’ve won 7 straight conference games.

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Against the spread

AKRON -1.5 (-105) is the lean here with how the Zips have played recently. While Kent State is also a talented team, Akron is 11-0 at home and we only need a win by at least 2 points.

The Golden Flashes are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS loss. Meanwhile, the Zips are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.

Over/Under

OVER 133.5 (-105) is how I’d confidently play the total in this game with how these teams can score the basketball. Kent State averages 75.5 points per game (89th in the nation) and Akron averages 72.2 points per game (168th in the nation) this season.

The Zips have hit the Over in 4 of their last 5 home games.

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