Akron vs Western Michigan 1/18/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Western Michigan Broncos (4-12) vs. Akron Zips (9-5)
January 18, 2022 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: Akron Zips -15 / Western Michigan Broncos +15; Over/Under: 136.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Western Michigan Broncos will travel to James A. Rhodes Arena to take on the Akron Zips this Tuesday night in College Basketball action.
The Western Michigan Broncos lost their 6th straight game and dropped to 4-12 on the season after being defeated by the Miami-OH Redhawks, 70-62, this past Saturday. Western Michigan led by a 33-32 margin at halftime, however, the Broncos offense struggled throughout the 2nd half and the Broncos could not fight back after Miami (OH) took a 55-46 lead with 7:15 left in regulation. Western Michigan shot 38.3% from the field & 29.6% from beyond the arc while allowing Miami (OH) to shoot 46.3% from the field & 23.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Broncos was Lamar Norman Jr. who had 26 points & 3 rebounds.
On the season, Western Michigan is averaging 64.9 ppg on 42.0% shooting from the field. The Broncos are averaging 7.5 three-pointers per game on 30.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Western Michigan has been led by Lamar Norman Jr. (19.3 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.7 apg), Markeese Hastings (8.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.1 apg), Mack Smith (8.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 apg), & Titus Wright (5.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg).
Defensively, Western Michigan is allowing their opponents to average 77.9 ppg on 45.9% shooting from the field. The Broncos have a rebound margin of -1.1 and a turnover margin of -5.4.
The Akron Zips dropped to 9-5 on the season after being defeated by the Kent State Golden Flashes, 67-55, this past Friday night. Akron struggled on the offensive end against Kent State and could not fight back after the Golden Flashes took a 58-48 lead with 4:35 left in regulation. Akron shot 35.2% from the field & 16.7% from beyond the arc while allowing Kent State to shoot 46.3% from the field & 40.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Zips was Xavier Castaneda who had 21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, & 1 steal.
On the season, Akron is averaging 72.9 ppg on 45.3% shooting from the field. The Zips are averaging 8.0 three-pointers per game on 33.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Akron has been led by Ali Ali (13.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.6 apg), Xavier Castaneda (13.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.4 apg), Enrique Freeman (12.4 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 1.0 apg), & Bryan Trimble (11.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg).
Defensively, Akron is holding their opponents to an average of 62.8 ppg on 41.9% shooting from the field. The Zips have a rebound margin of 6.1 and a turnover margin of 0.5.
The Broncos are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games, however, are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. MAC-East opponents. The Zips are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games & 13-7 ATS in their last 20 games vs. MAC opponents.
Western Michigan has struggled on both ends of the court this season as the Broncos come into this game ranked just 308th in scoring offense, 331st in scoring defense, & 314th in defensive FG%. Akron has been led by their defense which ranks 38th in scoring defense, 138th in defensive FG%, & t-45th in rebound margin and have been also decent offensively, ranking 156th in scoring offense & 126th in FG%.
Western Michigan is one of the worst teams in the MAC and it hasn’t been pretty on the road for the Broncos this season as they are 0-6 overall and have lost both MAC road games by an average of 23.0 ppg. Akron has a 7-1 record at home and as I think Akron’s defense is going to keep Western Michigan to around 50 points, I think the Zips offense can do enough to cover this double-digit spread. Good Luck!
