Akron at Ball State NCAA Basketball Point Spread Picks 2/16/2019

Saturday, February 16, 2019

John E. Worthen Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Akron Zips travel to John E. Worthen Arena to play the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday, February 16, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Ball State as 5 point favorites.

Akron comes into this game with an overall record of 14-10. They currently have a point differential of 7.5 as they are averaging 70.0 points per game while giving up 62.5 per contest. Ball State has an overall mark of 13-11. They are averaging 79.2 points per contest and giving up 73.4, which is a point differential of 5.8.

Valuable Akron Zips Betting Trends

The Akron Zips are 10-12-0 against the spread

The Akron Zips are 6-16-0 against the over/under

Important Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 12-11-0 against the spread

The Ball State Cardinals are 14-9-0 against the over/under

Key Akron Zips Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Ball State Cardinals Injuries

12/17/18 F Brachen Hazen Back is out indefinitely
02/15/19 F Zach Gunn Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Akron
01/05/19 G Ishmael El-Amin Wrist is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Loren Jackson averages 13.7 points per game in 32.0 minutes per contest. He averages 3.1 assists per contest and 2.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 34% for the year while his free throw percentage is 79%. Daniel Utomi comes into this contest averaging 13.9 points per game while playing 33.4 minutes per night. He pulls down 5.9 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is at 69%.

Player Spotlight

K.J. Walton averages 14.3 points per game and he sees the court an average of 27.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.2 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 55% and his free throw percentage is 70%. Tayler Persons averages 17.0 points per game while playing 31.8 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.0 rebounds per game and has 4.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Zips allow 62.5 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 15th in Division 1. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 36th and 28th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 37.8 rebounds a game which ranks 306th, and they give up 10.1 assists per contest which puts them in 14th place in the NCAA. They force 14.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 224th in the nation. Akron averages 70.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 259th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 7.5 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a team, which has them ranked 311th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 308th in D-1. They average 36.3 rebounds per game and 12.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 136th and 275th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 301st with 11.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cardinals surrender 73.4 points per contest, which ranks them 231st in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 72nd and 80th in those defensive statistics. They rank 123rd with 12.4 assists allowed per contest, and 167th with 34.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cardinals are 121st in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game. Ball State is 45th in the country with 79.2 points per game this year. They are 24th in the D-1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 5.8. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 122nd in the nation. They are 51st in the country in rebounding with 38.3 boards per game and 190th in assists per contest with 13.4. The Cardinals are 99th in turnovers per game with 14.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Zips are 193rd in the nation in offensive rating with 103. In terms of pace they are 274th in the country with 67.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 275th. As a team they are 280th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% of their shots, ranking 10th in Division 1. Akron is 295th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Ball State is 122nd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.9 times per 100 possessions. The Cardinals have an offensive rating of 107.8, which is ranked 87th. They are 69th in D-1 in pace with 72 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 57th. As a unit they are 46th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 303rd in the country.

Who will win tonight's Akron/Ball State college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Ball State -5

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