Akron vs Ohio Prediction and Odds (Bet on Zips To Cover in High-Scoring Rematch)

In a rematch of a 69-63 Ohio victory last month, the 23-5 Bobcats hope for a similar result when they host the 18-9 Akron Zips tonight at 6:00 PM EST.

The Zips have won two in a row after a three-game losing streak while the Bobcats have won 17 of their last 20 and covered the spread in three of their past four. Does the value lie with the Zips to keep it close on the road or will the Bobcats complete the season-sweep in convincing fashion?

Here are the odds via WynnBET:

Akron vs Ohio Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

• Akron: +7.5 (-110)
• Ohio: -7.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Akron: +265
• Ohio: -330

Total:

• 133.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Akron vs Ohio Prediction and Pick

The Bobcats are an experienced, balanced team that emphasizes protecting the ball on offense and forcing turnovers on defense. They're top 50 nationally in both offensive and defensive turnover rate and hope to take advantage of an Akron defense that ranks outside the top-200 in adjusted efficiency.

Ohio is a sparking 15-1 at home and 19-0 as a favorite, but they're just 5-9 against the spread (ATS) as a home favorite. The Zips, meanwhile, are 5-2 ATS as an underdog thanks to the 10th-highest free throw rate in the country and a strong interior presence.

Akron has the 84th-best 2-point shooting percentage while the Bobcats are 225th in defensive 2-point shooting. Ohio's defensive strength is on the perimeter, but Akron prefers to work the ball inside anyway.

When these teams first met in January, Akron was a 2-point favorite at home. Now they're 7.5-point underdogs on the road just a month later? I think that's a massive overreaction and love the value we're getting on the Zips tonight. But if we dig a bit deeper, we'll find value on the over as well.

The over is 11-3-1 when Ohio is a home favorite and every single game closed with a higher total than 133.5. Meanwhile, the over has hit in three of the Zips' last four as an underdog and all three overs closed with a total in the 140s. I'm sticking with those trends and think we see free throws at the end give the Zips a cover and the over tonight.

Pick: Akron +7.5 (-110) and OVER 133 (-110)