The Eastern Michigan Eagles (20-11, 11-7 MAC) challenge the Akron Zips (14-17, 7-12 MAC) in the Mid-American Conference Tourney at Quicken Loans Arena. The game will air on ESPN 3 at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018.
Eastern Michigan opened as a 5.5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 134 points.
Akron Zips vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Free Prediction
The last time the Zips played, they beat the Western Michigan Broncos, 79-78. Akron’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Western Michigan. The Zips had a rate of 17.2 (below their season average of 27.5), while the Broncos posted a mark of 11.1 (below their season average of 31.1). Virshon Cotton had a solid performance for Akron, recording 21 points and seven assists.
The Eagles edged the Toledo Rockets in their last matchup, 71-69. The Eagles made 17 of their 20 free throws (85.0 percent), while the Rockets had a turnover percentage of 18.8 (above their season average of 14.8). Elijah Minnie was Eastern Michigan’s high scorer with 25 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Eastern Michigan figures to have a significant edge. The Eagles defense ranks 44th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.477), while the Akron offense is ranked 153rd in effective field goal percentage (0.519). Ball protection could be troublesome for the Zips. They rank 267th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 19.8 percent), while the Eagles force the 35th-most turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 21.7 percent).
Akron holds records of 14-17 straight up (SU) and 14-15 against the spread (ATS). Zips games have a tendency to go under the projected point total (55.2 percent).
Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan owns records of 20-11 SU and 15-10 ATS. Similarly to Akron, games featuring the Eagles also have typically finished under the O/U total (64.0 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Daniel Utomi (22.4 points and 1.2 steals) has been stellar for the Zips while Minnie (20.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 1.4 steals) has made great contributions to the Eagles.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Minnie scored a game-high 22 points in the first matchup, in which the Eagles beat the Zips 63-49, covering as 6.5-point favorites. He also put up five rebounds. The game finished with a total of 112 points, which was 30 points below the projected point total of 142 points. Eastern Michigan did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (14-20; 70.0 percent). Akron, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (17.0 vs. 20.6).
Akron Zips vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Free Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Eastern Michigan, ATS Winner – Akron, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Akron ranks 24th in three pointers attempted per game (26.6) while Eastern Michigan ranks 247th (19.3).
The Eagles rank fourth in blocks per game (6.2) while the Zips rank 193rd (2.6).
Eastern Michigan ranks seventh in steals per game (8.8) while Akron ranks 162nd (5.8).
The Zips rank 145th in assists allowed per game (13.4) while the Eagles rank 227th (14.7).
Eastern Michigan ranks 180th in rebounds per game (34.6) while Akron ranks 225th (33.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Akron is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Eastern Michigan is 5-0 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Zips’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.8, down from 3.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Eagles have scored an average of 76.8 points per game (4.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.2 points per game (2.0 below their season average).
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