Ball State Cardinals vs Toledo Rockets Prediction, 1/13/2024 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Toledo Rockets

Date: Saturday, January 13, 2024

Location: Savage Arena in Toledo, OH

TV: ESPN+

The Toledo Rockets (9-6) will play the Ball State Cardinals (8-7) at Savage Arena on Saturday.

The Ball State Cardinals faced off with Akron and walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 80-76 in their last contest. Ball State wrapped up the game having earned a 45.3% FG percentage (24 of 53) and knocked down 10 out of their 23 three-point shots. When they shot from the free throw line, the Cardinals knocked down 18 of their 23 tries for a percentage of 78.3%. With regard to rebounding, they compiled 38 with 10 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 15 dimes for this contest while forcing the opposition into 4 turnovers and earning 2 steals. When discussing defending, Ball State allowed 43.3% from the field on 26 out of 60 shooting. Akron doled out 9 assists and had 8 steals in this matchup. Furthermore, Akron totaled 30 rebounds (11 offensive, 19 defensive), but didn't have a block. Akron shot 69.2% from the free throw line by burying 18 of their 26 tries. They also made 10 of their 28 tries from downtown. When it comes to fouls, the Cardinals ended up walking away with 17 and Akron accumulated 21 fouls.

Basheer Jihad is one player who was a factor for the matchup. He ended up finishing with 27 points on 9 of 18 shooting. He was on the court for 29 minutes played and pulled down 16 boards. He ended up going 50.0% from the field and distributed 4 dimes.

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Ball State heads into this matchup with a win-loss mark of 8-7 on the season. They cough up possession 12.4 times per contest and as a team they are committing 14.7 fouls per contest. As a unit, Ball State is collecting 34.9 rebounds per contest and has totaled 178 assists so far this year, which is 306th in Division 1 in terms of passing. The Cardinals are connecting on 37.0% on three-point attempts (114 of 308) and 75.2% from the free throw line. They average 74.0 points per outing (199th in college basketball) while connecting on 45.5% from the floor.

When they are on defense, the Cardinals are able to force 11.8 turnovers per contest while drawing 19.4 personal fouls. They are surrendering 34.2% on 3-pointers while they are 142nd in college hoops in PPG from their opponents (69.7). The Cardinals are allowing an opponent FG percentage of 45.3% (383 of 845) and they surrender 31.2 rebounds per contest as a basketball team. They are ranked 155th in college basketball in giving up assists to the opposition with 190 conceded so far this season.

When they last stepped on the hardwood, the Toledo Rockets took home the win by a final score of 89-75 when they played Kent State. The Rockets corralled 25 defensive boards and 4 offensive boards for a total of 29 for the game. They also turned the ball over 15 times, while earning 8 steals in the matchup. Kent State committed 22 fouls in this contest which got the Rockets to the free throw line for a total of 31 attempts. They were able to convert 26 of those for a clip of 83.9%. In reference to shooting from distance, Toledo converted 7 of their 12 tries (58.3%). When all was said and done, the Rockets went 28 for 48 from the field which gave them a percentage of 58.3%. The Rockets permitted Kent State to convert 27 out of 60 attempts from the field which had them shooting 45.0% in the matchup. They finished 42.3% from beyond the arc by shooting 11 of 26 and walked away from this one shooting 10 out of 13 from the free throw line (76.9%). When talking about rebounding, Toledo allowed Kent State to collect 21 in all (7 on the offensive side).

Tyler Cochran ended up being a major contributor for the Rockets in the matchup. He knocked down 8 out of 9 in the game for a rate of 88.9%, and totaled 6 rebounds. He earned 21 points in his 28 mins of playing time and earned 1 assist in the game.

Toledo has a record of 9-6 this season. The Rockets are committing 15.9 personal fouls every game and they shoot 77.4% from the free throw line. Their rate of dishing out assists is at 13.1 times per contest (219th in college basketball) and they lose possession via turnover 11.6 times per contest. Toledo has scored 1,190 pts this year (79.3 per contest) and they pull down 32.5 boards per game. On the offensive side of the court, the Rockets are connecting on 47.9% from the field, which ranks 43rd in the country.

The Toledo defense surrenders 36.3% on 3-point attempts (121 of 333) and opponents are knocking down 74.9% of their foul shots. They have relinquished 14.3 dimes and 33.1 boards per contest, ranking them 297th and 87th in those categories. The Rockets on the defensive end are ranked 330th in college hoops in points allowed per game with 78.3. They are able to force 13.7 turnovers per game and have allowed teams to shoot 49.2% from the field (358th in college hoops).

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

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Toledo

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