Akron Zips (21-9) vs. Western Michigan Broncos (11-19)
March 8, 2024 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: Western Michigan Broncos +8.5; Over/Under: +138.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Akron Zips and the Western Michigan Broncos meet in college basketball action from the University Arena on Friday night. Who comes out on top in Friday night college hoops MAC-tion? Let’s dive in and find out with our Akron vs. Western Michigan Prediction.
Akron Team Preview
The Akron Zips come into this one looking to rebound from a 61-60 loss to Eastern Michigan last time out. Enrique Freeman leads the Zips in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double per game with 18.2 PPG and 12.9 RPG while Ali Ali has 15.5 PPG and 2.5 APG through 22 games so far this season. Greg Tribble has 10.7 PPG with 2.6 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Akron up to this point in the year while Sammy Hunter has 9.1 PPG and Kaleb Thornton has 2.4 APG as well this season. As a team, Akron is averaging 74.4 PPG on 45.7% shooting from the field, 33.3% from three and 72.5% from the foul line this season.
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Western Michigan Team Preview
The Western Michigan Broncos come into this game looking to bounce back after a 73-65 loss to Bowling Green in their last matchup. Seth Hubbard has 14.3 PPG along with 3.5 RPG while B. Artis White has contributed 9.8 PPG and 3.2 APG with a team-high 3.3 APG so far this year. Jefferson De La Cruz Monegro has 9.1 PPG with 3.2 RPG and 3.2 APG. Owen Lobsinger has 9.1 PPG with 6.2 RPG and Anthony Crump also has a team-high 6.3 RPG as well this season. As a team, Western Michigan is averaging 71.2 PPG on 43.4% shooting from the field, 34.2% from three and 62.3% from the foul line this season.
Akron vs. Western Michigan Prediction
I’m on Akron here. I get it, it’s senior night for Western Michigan, but Western Michigan has been one of the worst teams in the MAC this season and Akron needs to put their last game against Eastern Michigan in the rear view if they want to have a chance at the MAC regular season title. It’s still up for grabs and Toledo has a much tougher matchup against Kent State on Friday. I think we see Akron show up in a big way here and snag the win and cover in this one.
