Toledo Rockets (14-7) vs. Akron Zips (16-5)
February 2, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Akron Zips -5; Over/Under: 146
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The Toledo Rockets and the Akron Zips meet Friday in college basketball action from James A. Rhodes Arena. Toledo is sitting at 14-7 this year after a victory versus Western Michigan on Tuesday. As for Akron, they’re coming off a win over Eastern Michigan that improved the Zips to 16-5 so far. Let’s get into our Toledo vs. Akron prediction. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Toledo Rockets
The Rockets only managed a .500 run over their first 12 games, going 6-6 in that time. Toledo has hit a nice 8-1 run since then with a loss to Central Michigan among wins versus Ohio, Miami-OH, Kent State, Ball State, Buffalo, Northern Illinois, Bowling Green and Western Michigan.
In the Western Michigan game on Tuesday, the Rockets were up 48-27 after a dominant first half. Toledo cruised the rest of the way on a 40-36 advantage and took the blowout win 88-63. Javan Simmons was the team’s leading scorer with 19 points, six rebounds and two assists.
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Akron Zips
Over on the Akron side, they only lost four of their first 12 games in a decent start to the season. The Zips have hit their stride since then with wins over Northern Illinois, Bowling Green, Ball State, Buffalo, Western Michigan, Kent State, Ohio and Eastern Michigan in the last nine games.
Matched up against Eastern Michigan in their last outing, the Zips also bagged a blowout win. Akron hit 42 points in the first half and 35 more in the second on the way to a 77-46 finish. Tops in scoring was Enrique Freeman with 17 points, 11 boards and two assists.
ANDREW’S FREE TOLEDO VS AKRON PREDICTION
I’ll take a stab on Toledo, but you could certainly argue this one either way. The Rockets had zero issues with a middling Western Michigan team in their last matchup, hitting a scorching 63.5 percent from the field with 31 rebounds and 17 team assists. Toledo has scored 88 or more points in three straight games, so the offense is really clicking right now.
As for Akron, they’ve been no slouches on offense themselves with 67 or more points in nine straight outings. This matchup seems like a coin flip to me, but I think Toledo can keep the pace well enough to cover. It’ll be a fun one to watch regardless.
