The Ball State Cardinals (14-7, 5-3 MAC) visit the Bowling Green Falcons (10-11, 4-4) for a Mid-American Conference tussle on Tuesday. Tip time at Stroh Center will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ball State vs. Bowling Green odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Ball State easily covered as a 4.5-point favorite last time out when it beat Northern Illinois 87-69 Saturday. The Cardinals won the rebound and turnover battles handily in that one. By rate statistics, BSU is 2nd-best in the MAC in offensive rebounding and tops in getting to the free-throw line.
The Falcons are up-tempo and put a lot of points on the board but struggle to prevent the same. Bowling Green is coming off a 91-77 loss at Toledo Saturday. The Falcons will be glad to be back at home where they are 4-1 over their last 5 games and with an average margin of victory of 18.8 points in those 4 wins.
Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
Ball State at Bowling Green 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: Ball State -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Bowling Green +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Ball State -1.5 (-115) | Bowling Green +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 151.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Ball State at Bowling Green picks and predictions
Prediction
Ball State 82, Bowling Green 79
Moneyline
Ball State has beaten Bowling Green twice in a row and in 3 of their last 4 meetings. The Cardinals have had a couple of clunkers recently, but those losses — at Kent State Jan. 20 and vs. Buffalo Jan. 24 — were against much better teams than Bowling Green.
Ball State is a decent play against the number but a PASS is suggested here unless the price drops to -120 or better.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
Ball State is 3-1 ATS over its last 4 games against the Falcons and the road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 series meetings.
Efficiency at both ends and edges in rebounding and looks at the foul line spell a significant lean toward BSU. BACK THE CARDINALS -1.5 (-115).
Over/Under
The Over is 5-1 in the Cardinals’ last 6 contests against under-.500 teams and 4-0 in their last 4 road tilts. It’s also 6-1 in the Falcons’ last 7 games overall.
The 2nd-chance and free-throw spiral has already been noted. BGSU owns a robust 3-point accuracy mark of 41.6% since Dec. 19. This game could well reach 150 by the 5-minute mark.
BACK THE OVER 151.5 (-115).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]