The Ohio Bobcats (11-9, 3-4 MAC) visit the Akron Zips (14-6, 6-1) on Saturday. Tip from James A. Rhodes Arena is set for 2 p.m. ET (ESPN3). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Ohio vs. Akron odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Ohio took down Western Michigan on Tuesday to cover as a 9-point home favorite. It has now covered the spread in back-to-back games and is 6-4 in its last 10 to improve to 10-9 against the spread (ATS) this season. The Bobcats have struggled this season, giving up 72.5 points per game (ppg) (258th).
Akron beat Miami (Ohio) 73-68 on Tuesday, failing to cover as a 14-point home favorite. It is 2-1-1 ATS in its last 4 and 4-4-1 in its last 9 lined games. The Zips have played exceptional defense and are holding opponents to an average of 62.3 ppg (26th).
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Ohio 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 8:37 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Ohio +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Akron -290 (bet $290 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Ohio +6.5 (-105) | Akron -6.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Ohio at Akron picks and predictions
Prediction
Akron 76, Ohio 69
Moneyline
PASS.
The moneyline does not present much value for Akron (-290) bettors when it should win by margin. Focus on the spread instead.
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Against the spread
BET AKRON -6.5 (-115).
The Zips are 10-0 at home this season. Ohio has struggled on the road this season, winning just 2 of 9 true road games.
The Zips are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 Saturday games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games. The Bobcats are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Over/Under
BET OVER 139.5 (-110).
This would be the 5th time in Ohio’s last 10 games that the line has closed at 139.5 or lower, and the Over hit in 4 of the previous instances. The Bobcats’ have hit the Over in 5 of their last 6 games and the Over is 6-3 in Akron’s last 9 lined games.
The Over is 5-0 in the Bobcats’ last 5 Saturday games and 5-1 in their last 6 games against a team with a winning percentage of .600 or above; the Bobcats tend to play up to their competition.
The Over is 4-1 in the Zips’ last 5 home games against a team with a losing record and 9-3 in their last 12 against a team with a winning straight-up record.
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