Akron at Buffalo NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 3/14/2019

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Quicken Loans Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Akron Zips travel to Quicken Loans Arena to play the Buffalo Bulls on Thursday, March 14, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Buffalo as 9.5 point favorites.

Akron comes into this game with an overall record of 16-15. They currently have a point differential of 6.3 as they are averaging 69.5 points per game while giving up 63.3 per contest. Buffalo has an overall record of 28-3. They are averaging 85.0 points per game and surrendering 70.9, good for a point differential of 14.1.

Valuable Akron Zips Betting Trends

The Akron Zips are 16-14-0 against the spread

The Akron Zips are 8-20-1 against the over/under

Important Buffalo Bulls Betting Trends

The Buffalo Bulls are 16-13-1 against the spread

The Buffalo Bulls are 14-16-0 against the over/under

Key Akron Zips Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Buffalo Bulls Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Daniel Utomi comes into this contest averaging 14.3 points per game while playing 33.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 69%. Loren Jackson averages 13.9 points per game in 31.5 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.1 assists per contest and 2.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 35% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

C.J. Massinburg averages 18.5 points per game while playing 32.2 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.3 rebounds per game and has 3.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 78%. Nick Perkins averages 14.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 26.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.3 rebounds per contest and 0.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

Akron averages 69.5 points per contest this season, which ranks them 263rd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 6.3 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 312th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 288th in the nation. They average 36.5 rebounds per game and 12.3 assists per game, which ranks them 119th and 257th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 284th with 11.8 per game. The Zips allow 63.3 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 18th in the country. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 29% average from behind the arc, ranking them 14th and 8th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 38.7 rebounds a game which ranks 330th and they give up 10.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 16th place in Division 1. They force 13.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 199th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Buffalo is 5th in the country with 85.0 points per game this year. They are 71st in Division 1 in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 14.1. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 204th in the nation. They are 10th in the NCAA in rebounding with 40.6 boards per game, and 10th in assists per contest with 17.2. The Bulls are 262nd in turnovers per game with 12.1. The Bulls surrender 70.9 points per contest, which ranks them 172nd in D-1. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 87th and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 10.5 assists allowed per contest and 286th with 37.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulls are 332nd in country in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Zips are 234th in the nation in offensive rating with 101.5. In terms of pace they are 234th in the country with 68.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 49% is 262nd. As a team they are 290th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% of their shots, ranking 9th in Division 1. Akron is 270th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Buffalo is 328th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.8 times per 100 possessions. The Bulls have an offensive rating of 113, which is ranked 20th. They are 15th in D-1 in pace with 74.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 70th. As a unit they are 85th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shot attempts, ranking 72nd in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo -9.5

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