Free NCAA Hoops Pick: Zips vs. Cardinals CBB Odds
Looking for Akron Zips vs. Ball State Cardinals NCAA basketball free picks & CBB odds? CBB betting sees the Zips taking on the Cardinals on Friday February 19, 2021 at John E. Worthen Arena, Muncie, Indiana. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all college basketball matchups all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily basketball predictions like this Zips Cardinals matchup.
2021 NCAA Basketball Handicapping
(13-4) Akron Zips vs. Ball State Cardinals (7-10)
Date: Friday February 19, 2021
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: John E. Worthen Arena, Muncie, Indiana
CBB Moneyline Odds: OFF
CBB Betting Odds: Ball State +4.5
CBB Betting Total:
The Akron Zips look to move closer to the top spot in the Mid-American Conference when they travel to Muncie, Indiana to take on the Ball State Cardinals.
Akron is 1.5 games out from first place Toledo. The Zips are coming off an 81-76 victory over the Northern Illinois Huskies on Tuesday, while the Cardinals lost to Bowling Green 75-62 on that same day. Akron blew out Ball State the first time these teams met this year, 74-42, on January 30.
Akron Zips
The Zips have been red hot and have given themselves a chance at the MAC championship. They have won three in a row and nine of their last ten games, the only loss during that stretch coming against Toledo.
The Zips had to overcome a big deficit of 11 points in their last game against Northern Illinois, but managed to come back and earn the win. Akron shot just 38.5 percent from the floor and 39.3 percent from three point range, but they were 30-35 (85.7 percent) from the foul line which ultimately made the difference.
Loren Jackson, Ali Ali and Bryan Trimble Jr. led the way for Akron. Trimble scored a game high 22 points.
Jackson and Trimble are the only two players scoring in double figures in the Zips. They average average 21.4 and 13.1 points per game, respectively. Akron averages 78.8 points per game while shooting shooting 75.5 percent at the line and pulling in 38.8 rebounds per game.
Akron is shooting 34.7 percent from deep. Defensively, they allow just under 70 points a game.
Ball State Cardinals
Ball State has lost five of its last six games following a defeat at the hands of Bowling Green. The Cardinals only win in that span, ironically enough, was against Toledo. The Cardinals are 5-7 in conference play.
The Cardinals were down one at the break in their last game, but were outscored 41-27 in the second half. Ball State turned it over 23 times and shot 5 of 23 from the outside. Four different players scored in double figures for the Cardinals.
Ishmael El-Amin and K.J. Walton lead the team in scoring, with both players averaging over 15 points a game.
Ball State averages 70.2 points per game while shooting 42.7 percent from the floor and 32.8 percent from three-point range. The Cardinals are allowing 73.0 points per game while their opponents shoot 42.3 percent from the floor and 29.6 percent from three-point range.
CBB Betting Trends:
- Cardinals are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a double-digit loss at home.
- Cardinals are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home games.
- Under is 9-3 in Zips last 12 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 9-3 in Zips last 12 games as a road favorite.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Zips last 5 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.
- Under is 19-7 in Zips last 26 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Under is 21-8 in Zips last 29 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Free Akron Zips vs. Ball State Cardinals NCAAB Prediction:
I like Ball State to cover in this spot. Akron has been playing well, but the Zips are also coming off a tough outing against Northern Illinois. I expect a bit more road struggles here for the Zips.
4* Free CBB Betting Pick: Ball State +4.5
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