Ball State vs Akron 3/1/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Akron Zips (19-9) vs. Ball State Cardinals (13-15)
March 1, 2022 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Ball State Cardinals +2 ; Over/Under: 143.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Akron Zips and the Ball State Cardinals meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Worthen Arena. Akron is 19-9 this season. The Zips beat Ohio in their last game. As for Ball State, they’re sitting at 13-15 overall and coming off a win over Eastern Michigan. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Akron managed a 2-3 record out of the gate this year, but didn’t lose consecutive games again until mid-February. The Zips are currently riding a three-game winning streak. They’ve taken out Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green and Ohio in that time.
In the Ohio game on Friday, the Zips jumped out to a commanding 46-26 lead by halftime. Akron was outscored 45-57 in the second but held on for the 91-83 win. Ali Ali was the team’s top scorer on 22 points with five rebounds.
Over on the Ball State side, they’ve had a choppy run this season as they try to get back to .500 in the record column. The Cardinals are just 2-4 in their last six games, though; they’ve got wins over Bowling Green and Eastern Michigan in that stretch.
On Saturday versus Eastern Michigan, the Cardinals were tied at 32 by halftime. Ball State hit a 43-32 run in the second half on the way to a 75-64 win. Payton Sparks led the team with 17 points and 10 rebounds during the victory.
The Cardinals are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 at home and 0-4 ATS in the last four after an ATS win. Ball State is 0-4 ATS in their last four Tuesday games.
Meanwhile, the Zips are 1-4 ATS in their last five Tuesday games and the under is 9-4 in their last 13 road games. The over is 12-5 in Akron’s last 17 after an ATS win.
PICK: I’m going to stay with Akron here. The Zips had three rough losses recently, falling by four or fewer points to Kent State, Western Michigan and Northern Illinois in succession. Outside of that however, Akron has done well lately.
The last time these teams met up back on January 11, Akron pulled off an 84-74 victory at home. This road rematch will be a tougher scenario, but I think the Zips are equipped to pull off the cover.