The Western Michigan Broncos (6-8) will have a tough time bringing their six-game road losing streak to a close when they take on the Akron Zips (12-2), who have won eight in a row at home. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Friday, Jan. 8 and can be seen on ESU and ES3.
The Zips enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Buffalo 75-71 on Tuesday. Antino Jackson was the team’s leading scorer with 16 points on 5-for-16 shooting. The Broncos, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 87-84 loss against Kent State on Tuesday. Thomas Wilder had a game-high 28 points.
Isaiah Johnson has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Zips. During that stretch, he has averaged 17.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.8 blocks. Tucker Haymond has been hot for the Broncos. In the same five-game span, he is averaging 19.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.0 three-pointer.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Akron, a big 13-point favorite, takes on Western Michigan. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently 141 points. The Zips have gone 12-2 Straight Up (SU) and 6-2 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (4-1). 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. The rebounding edge goes to the Zips in this matchup, who are one of the top rebounding teams in the nation with an average of 41.6 boards per game. Crossing over to the defensive side of the court, it’s been a struggle for opposing teams to score on the Zips. The 64.6 points that Akron’s defense allows per game makes them the 41st-ranked defense in the country. Akron’s defense can be considered one of the best in the country. The Zips allow a .381 opponent field-goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the country.
In the other locker room, the Broncos have 6-8 SU and 4-5 ATS records.
These conference foes will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Akron came out on top, bumping its SU record to 8-2 over Western Michigan in their most recent meetings. The Zips also lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Akron held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers three times, while Western Michigan was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Akron, ATS Winner – Akron, O/U – Over
Notes
Akron is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games.
Akron is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
Akron is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing Western Michigan.
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Akron’s last 7 games when playing Western Michigan.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Akron’s last 6 games when playing at home against Western Michigan.
Western Michigan averages 75.3 points per game, placing the team just 151st in the nation. Akron ranks 41st in points allowed, giving up 64.6 points per game.
In its last game, Western Michigan lost by a margin of three points. Akron is 0-1 in games decided by a margin of three points or less. Western Michigan has a 1-3 record in close games.
The Akron Zips have a defensive rating of 92.0 (ranked 17th), while the Western Michigan Broncos have an offensive rating of 106.2 (ranked 167th).
Western Michigan has an average field goal percentage of 45.0%. Akron is undefeated (4-0) when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Akron Zips rank lower for their field goal percentage (252nd) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (108th), but the Western Michigan Broncos have a better FG% ranking (131st) than eFG% ranking (136th).
Akron ranks 97th in assists, registering 15.0 per game. Western Michigan performs worse at 232nd with 12.8 assists per game.
Akron, the 26th-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 41.6 rebounds per game. Western Michigan does worse, ranked 113th with 38.4.
Western Michigan ranks 199th in offensive rebounds, while Akron ranks at 24th in defensive rebounds.
On average, Western Michigan forces a turnover rate of 16.6%. When Akron turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 5-2 record.
