The Mid-American’s top team will be at home when the Akron Zips (21-7) welcome the Bowling Green Falcons (14-14) to James A. Rhodes Arena. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 26 and can be seen on CCS.
The Zips are hoping for a better outcome after their 77-64 loss to Miami (OH) on Tuesday. Isaiah Johnson was the game’s high scorer with 21 points. The Falcons are coming off an 87-82 win over Ohio on Tuesday. Wes Alcegaire led the team in scoring by registering 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
Over the last five games, Johnson has taken his game to another level for the Zips, averaging 18.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.4 blocks. On the other side, the Falcons have been led by Spencer Parker. He has been on a tear, averaging 18.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 1.6 three-pointers in the same time frame.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Zips winning the first matchup 83-68. Despite the loss, Parker was a top performer in the game with 23 points, four rebounds, one assist, one block, and three three-pointers.
The Zips have gone 21-7 Straight Up (SU) and 12-10-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 2-8 ATS over their last 10 games. The Zips have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 67.5 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 77.1 points per game. The Zips are one of the best in Division I in terms of three-point field goals, making 11.0 shots per game from beyond the arc. Turning to the defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score points against the Zips, who allow only 63.4 points per home game. Teams really have to fight for three-pointers against the Zips, who have allowed only 5.0 three-pointers to opponents per game.
Across the court, the Falcons have 14-14 SU and 10-14 ATS records. Bowling Green has been playing better lately, averaging 77.8 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 71.8.
Akron won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bringing its SU record to 10-0 over Bowling Green in their most recent games. With an 8-2 record, the Zips also have the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Akron held the edge in all three of these categories four times in the last five meetings. Bowling Green never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Akron, ATS Winner – Akron
Notes
Akron averages 77.1 points per game (ranked 75th). Bowling Green, on the other hand, allows 71.5 points per game (ranked 144th).
Akron scores 79.9 points per home game (ranked 80th). Bowling Green ranks a poor 109th in points allowed on the road, allowing 73.0 points.
Ranked 59th, the Akron Zips have an offensive rating of 112.0. The Bowling Green Falcons rank 167th with a defensive rating of just 103.3.
The Bowling Green Falcons average 69.3 possessions per game and 1.036 points per possession. The Akron Zips earn fewer possessions with 68.9, but they score more points with 1.120.
The Bowling Green Falcons average an effective field goal percentage of 49.6% this season. The Akron Zips have a winning 7-4 record in games where opponents have an eFG% of 49.6% or greater.
Akron attempts an average of 29.0 three pointers per game and Bowling Green attempts 16.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Akron Zips have a winning 20-7 record while the Bowling Green Falcons have a 4-3 record.
Akron, the 95th-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.1 per game. Bowling Green does worse, ranked 173rd with 3.4.
Bowling Green ranks 202nd in offensive rebounds, while Akron ranks at 76th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Bowling Green forces a turnover rate of 17.6%. When Akron turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a winning 8-4 record.
