Akron Zips vs Ball State Cardinals Prediction, 1/9/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Akron Zips vs Ball State Cardinals

Date: Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Location: Worthen Arena in Muncie, IN

TV: ESPN+

The Akron Zips (10-4) are traveling to Worthen Arena on Tuesday where they will compete against the Ball State Cardinals (8-6).

The Akron Zips stepped onto the hardwood against Bowling Green and walked away with a win by a score of 83-67 in their last contest. When it comes to personal fouls, the Zips ended up finishing with 22 and Bowling Green totaled 21 personal fouls. They also made 6 out of their 23 shots from downtown. Bowling Green finished the contest at 54.2% from the charity stripe by burying 13 of 24 shots. Furthermore, Bowling Green pulled down 27 rebounds (10 offensive, 17 defensive), but wrapped up the game with no rejections. Bowling Green dished out 10 dimes and had 5 steals in this contest. When talking about defense, Akron allowed 43.6% from the floor on 24 of 55 shooting. They also dished out 22 assists in this matchup while creating 10 turnovers and earning 7 steals. In terms of grabbing rebounds, they earned 32 with 9 of them being of the offensive variety. From the free throw line, the Zips converted 17 of 25 tries for a rate of 68.0%. Akron walked away from the game having earned a 50.0% field goal percentage (28 of 56) and made 10 of their 24 three-point attempts.

Enrique Freeman is a player who was important in this contest. He finished the contest at 42.9% from the field and also dished out 4 assists. He played 27 minutes and also collected 11 boards. He was able to score 24 points on 6 out of 14 shooting.

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Akron enters this one with a win-loss record of 10-4 for the season. They turn the ball over 12.8 times per game and as a squad they commit 15.7 personal fouls per game. As a team, Akron is pulling in 36.9 rebounds per game and is sitting with 213 assists for the campaign, which has them ranked 143rd in the nation in terms of passing the ball. The Zips are shooting 36.4% on shots from beyond the arc (130 of 357) and 71.6% from the free throw line. They have an average of 77.0 pts per contest (129th in the country) while connecting on 47.4% from the field.

On the defensive end, the Zips have forced 13.0 turnovers per game while drawing 18.0 personal fouls. They rank 93rd in the country in allowing assists to the opposition with 168 surrendered this season. The Zips defense is allowing a shooting percentage of 43.1% (346 of 803) and they surrender 30.6 rebounds per game as a unit. They are relinquishing 31.7% from beyond the arc while they are 55th in college basketball in opponents points per game (65.4).

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the Ball State Cardinals took a loss by a final score of 71-65 against Central Michigan. Regarding cleaning up the glass, Ball State permitted Central Michigan to collect 28 overall (9 on the offensive glass). They went 39.1% from distance by hitting 9 of 23 and ended up shooting 14 of 17 at the free throw line (82.4%). The Cardinals allowed Central Michigan to convert 24 of 55 attempts from the field which had them sitting at 43.6% in the matchup. Overall, the Cardinals finished 17 for 41 from the floor which had them sitting at 41.5%. With regard to shooting from downtown, Ball State knocked down 6 of 24 tries (25.0%). They were able to bury 25 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 80.6%. Central Michigan was called for 23 personal fouls for the game which got the Cardinals to the free throw line for a total of 31 attempts. They also turned it over 13 times, while earning 2 steals for the contest. The Cardinals collected 23 defensive rebounds and 5 offensive rebounds for a total of 28 in this game.

Davion Bailey ended up being important for the Cardinals in this game. He earned 21 points in his 37 mins on the hardwood and had 1 assist for the contest. He knocked down 7 of 13 for this game giving him a rate of 53.8%, and totaled 5 rebounds.

Ball State has a mark of 8-6 this season. The Cardinals commit 14.5 fouls every game and they hit 75.0% from the charity stripe. Their rate of dishing out assists is at 11.6 times per game (309th in Division 1) and they turn it over 12.4 times per contest. Ball State has accounted for 1,034 points this season (73.9 per contest) and they average 34.6 boards per game. When it comes to offensive execution, the Cardinals are shooting 45.5% from the field, which is 153rd in the nation.

The Ball State defense concedes 34.1% on shots from distance (92 of 270) and their opposition knocks down 71.6% of their free throw attempts. They allow 12.9 assists and 31.1 boards every game, which is 191st and 31st in those categories. The Cardinals on defense are ranked 127th in Division 1 in points per game surrendered with 68.9. They are able to force 12.3 turnovers on a nightly basis and have allowed teams to shoot 45.5% from the floor (310th in college hoops).

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Akron

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