Buffalo vs. Eastern Michigan Prediction and Odds (The Under is On the Move)

The Mid-American Conference should consider a temporary name change to the "Mid-Afternoon Conference" as the Buffalo Bulls and Eastern Michigan Eagles get Thursday's college hoops slate started at noon ET today from the Convocation Center.

The Bulls have won four straight, with one of them at home against these very Eagles in a 102-64 blowout back on February 8th. Maceo Jack went for 22 and nine boards as Buffalo shot 45.5% from three-point range while out-rebounding Eastern Michigan 50-28.

The Eagles snapped a five game losing streak with a 75-70 win on Tuesday vs. Central Michigan on the road and look to make it two in a row for the first time since mid-December.

Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Buffalo vs. Eastern Michigan Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

• Buffalo -9.5 (-110)
• Eastern Michigan +9.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Buffalo -500
• Eastern Michigan +375

Total:

• 152.5 (OVER -110 / UNDER -110)

Buffalo vs. Eastern Michigan Prediction and Pick

No team is hotter on offense than Buffalo, but I think the total is a smidge too high and we've already seen the line start to drop across multiple sportsbooks, including WynnBET from the opening number of 153.5.

Jim Whitesell's Bulls love to run. They rank 20th in the country in adjusted tempo and 24th in pace. They're also shooting lights out since February 5th during their win streak, including two games vs. Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green with an effective field goal percentage of 64 and 62.7%.

If Eastern Michigan doesn't want to get run out of their own gym and avoid another blowout vs. the Bulls, they need to find a way to get some stops and not turn the ball over. The Eagles are 6-3 when they win the turnover battle, accounting for 2/3 of their victories this season. The good news here is that Buffalo is known to be a bit careless with the basketball, turning the ball over just under 20% of their possessions, ranking 224th in college basketball.

With an early tip on the road, I expect Buffalo to come out a bit sluggish before eventually waking up and taking care of business. By that time, however, the under should be in clear sight as the Eagles try to tighten things up on their home court.

LEAN: UNDER 152.5 (-110)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting picks in real-time HERE!