Ohio vs Akron Predictions, College Basketball Expert Picks 3/12/2020

Game: Ohio Bobcats vs Akron Zips

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020

Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH

TV: ESPN+

Odds/Point Spread: Akron -3.5

Total/Over-Under: 143

The Ohio Bobcats travel to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to play the Akron Zips on Thursday, March 12, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Akron as 3.5 point favorites.

Ohio heads into this matchup with a mark of 16-15. They currently have a point differential of 2.4 as they are averaging 71.0 points per contest while giving up 68.6 per game. Akron has an overall record of 24-7. They are averaging 75.7 points per game and surrendering 66.5, good for a point differential of 9.2.

Valuable Ohio Bobcats Betting Trends

The Ohio Bobcats are 18-12-0 against the spread

The Ohio Bobcats are 13-16-0 against the over/under

Important Akron Zips Betting Trends

The Akron Zips are 15-14-0 against the spread

The Akron Zips are 11-18-0 against the over/under

Key Ohio Bobcats Injuries

01/09/20 F Marvin Price Personal is out for season

Key Akron Zips Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Ben Vander Plas averages 15.7 points per game in 33.0 minutes per contest. He averages 2.8 assists per contest and 6.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 49% for the year while his free throw percentage is 59%. Jason Preston comes into this contest averaging 16.8 points per game while playing 38.1 minutes per night. He pulls down 6.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 7.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 73%.

Player Spotlight

Tyler Cheese averages 15.7 points per game and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.8 rebounds per contest and 3.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 44% and his free throw percentage is 82%. Loren Jackson averages 19.8 points per game while playing 34.2 minutes per contest. He grabs 2.7 rebounds per game and has 4.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bobcats allow 68.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 159th in Division 1. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 34% average from behind the arc, ranking them 133rd and 214th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.8 rebounds a game which ranks 121st, and they give up 11.1 assists per contest which puts them in 61st place in the NCAA. They force 12.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 145th in the nation. Ohio averages 71.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 179th in the country. Their average scoring margin is 2.4 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 136th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 112th in D-1. They average 35.2 rebounds per game and 14.4 assists per contest, which ranks them 174th and 68th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 222nd with 12.6 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Zips surrender 66.5 points per contest, which ranks them 98th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 40% shooting percentage and a 30% average from 3-point range, ranking them 37th and 41st in those defensive statistics. They rank 26th with 10.3 assists allowed per contest, and 268th with 36.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Zips are 173rd in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 13.2 per game. Akron is 56th in the country with 75.7 points per game this year. They are 166th in the D-1 in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 9.2. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 49th in the nation. They are 67th in the country in rebounding with 37.7 boards per game and 183rd in assists per contest with 13.1. The Zips are 202nd in turnovers per game with 12.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Bobcats are 139th in the nation in offensive rating with 103.3. In terms of pace they are 215th in the country with 68.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 96th. As a team they are 131st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 43% of their shots, ranking 58th in Division 1. Ohio is 195th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Akron is 207th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16 times per 100 possessions. The Zips have an offensive rating of 107.2, which is ranked 66th. They are 108th in D-1 in pace with 70.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 74th. As a unit they are 46th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 44% of their shot attempts, ranking 34th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Akron -3.5

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