The Ball State Cardinals (11-4, 2-0 MAC) battle the Ohio Bobcats (8-7, 0-2) Tuesday. Tip from Millett Hall is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ball State vs. Ohio odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Bobcats lost to the Bowling Green Falcons 88-79 Saturday, failing to cover as a 3.5-point road favorite. Ohio has now lost 2 in a row, but has covered 3 of its last 5 games. It is 7-7 against the spread (ATS) on the season and is perfect at home (6-0). The Bobcats’ strength is 3-point shooting, hitting 36.5% of their attempts from deep.
The Cardinals beat Akron 70-63 Friday, covering as a 3-point home favorite. Ball State is 8-5 ATS on the season and 3-2 straight up on the road. It has covered 2 in a row and 5 of its last 7. The Cardinals’ strength is offensive efficient, ranking 31st in the nation in field goal percentage (48.3%).
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Ball State at Ohio odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 12:03 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Ball State +2.5 (-110) | Ohio -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Ball State at Ohio picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio 78, Ball State 73
Moneyline
Not available.
Against the spread
LEAN OHIO -2.5 (-110).
The Bobcats are 3-0 ATS at home with a spread of 10 or less. The variety in their scoring, having 5 players averaging 9 or more points is also a positive in terms of building a reliable offense.
Ball State is just 2-2 ATS as an underdog. It also is not good at stopping what Ohio does best — shoot from deep. The Cardinals rank 281st in opponents’ 3-point FG percentage (35.1%).
The Bobcats should be able to abuse that weakness, and at home, I would back OHIO -2.5 (-110).
Over/Under
BET OVER 145.5 (-105).
If there is 1 thing both teams have, it is an efficient offense. Ball State averages 76.9 PPG and shoots 38.2% from deep, good for the 35th-best percentage in the NCAA.
Ohio is averaging 77.2 PPG and has gone Over in 5 of its last 8. It has gone Over in 8 of 14 games this season. Ball State is 7-6 O/U this season and has gone Over in 2 straight and in 4 of its last 6.
Couple the season-long trends and efficient offenses, and the OVER 145.5 (-105) is the best play in this Mid-American Conference battle.
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