The Akron Zips, currently 21-5 overall and 12-1 in the MAC, are set to face off against the Ball State Cardinals, who hold a 8-18 record and are 3-10 in conference play, in a matchup that could have real consequences for both teams' tournament hopes, with Akron averaging 78.6 points per game over their last five contests. The Zips have been on a tear lately, outscoring their opponents by an average of 6.6 points per game over this stretch, with a 4-1 record to show for it, including a 99-92 win over Massachusetts and a 69-52 victory over Kent State. In contrast, the Cardinals have struggled, averaging just 60.6 points per game over their last five, while allowing 70.4 points per game, resulting in a 1-4 record, with their lone win coming in a 73-68 decision over Louisiana-Monroe. This disparity in scoring could be a major factor in the outcome of the game, as the Zips' high-powered offense faces off against the Cardinals' struggling defense.
Key Matchups
As we look at the individual players, it's clear that the Zips have a number of talented scorers, including their leading scorer, who is averaging 18.5 points per game over the last five contests, and has been on a hot streak, scoring in double figures in each of the Zips' last eight games. Meanwhile, the Cardinals must find a way to slow down the Zips' offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders, with multiple players scoring in double figures in each of the last five games. The Cardinals' leading scorer, who is averaging 15.6 points per game over the last five, must have a big game if they hope to keep up with the Zips' high-powered offense. With the Zips' recent form and the Cardinals' struggles, it's likely that the Zips will come out on top, but the Cardinals must find a way to slow down the Zips' offense and get their own scoring going if they hope to pull off the upset.
The Zips' recent form has been impressive, with wins over Western Michigan, Massachusetts, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State, and a close loss to Troy, 79-69. In these games, the Zips have shown an ability to score from both inside and outside, with multiple players contributing to the scoring effort. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistency, with losses to Ohio, Kent State, Buffalo, and Bowling Green, and a win over Louisiana-Monroe. The Cardinals have had trouble scoring, averaging just 60.6 points per game over their last five, and have been outscored by an average of 9.8 points per game over this stretch. With the Zips averaging 78.6 points per game over their last five, it's likely that the Cardinals will struggle to keep up, especially if they can't find a way to slow down the Zips' offense.
CHD Scout Prediction
Akron
84
Ball State
66
Given the Zips' recent form and the Cardinals' struggles, it's no surprise that the CHD Scout prediction has the Zips winning by 17.7 points, with a 7.7% win probability for the Cardinals. This prediction is based on the Zips' ability to score from both inside and outside, as well as their strong defense, which has allowed just 72 points per game over the last five contests. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have struggled to score and have been poor on defense, allowing 70.4 points per game over their last five. With the Zips' high-powered offense facing off against the Cardinals' struggling defense, it's likely that the Zips will come out on top, and the prediction reflects this. The Zips' ability to score in transition and their strong rebounding will also be key factors in the game, as they look to take advantage of the Cardinals' struggles on the glass.
The Zips' strong rebounding has been a key factor in their success, with an average of 38.5 rebounds per game over the last five contests, compared to the Cardinals' 32.4 rebounds per game over the same stretch. This disparity in rebounding could be a major factor in the game, as the Zips look to take advantage of the Cardinals' struggles on the glass. The Zips have also been strong on defense, allowing just 72 points per game over the last five contests, and have been able to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have struggled on defense, allowing 70.4 points per game over their last five, and have had trouble slowing down their opponents' offenses. With the Zips' strong defense and rebounding, it's likely that they will be able to control the tempo of the game and come out on top.
Tournament Stakes
A win for the Zips would be a significant boost to their tournament resume, as they look to build on their strong conference record and make a push for a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Zips are currently on the bubble, but a win over the Cardinals would help to solidify their position and give them a better chance of making the tournament. For the Cardinals, a win would be a major upset, and would give them a much-needed quality win to add to their resume. However, a loss would be a significant blow to their tournament hopes, and would make it even more difficult for them to make a push for a spot in the tournament. The Cardinals are currently in need of quality wins to build their tournament resume, and a win over the Zips would be a major step in the right direction. With the Zips' strong record and the Cardinals' struggles, it's likely that the Zips will come out on top, but the Cardinals must find a way to slow down the Zips' offense and get their own scoring going if they hope to pull off the upset.
The Cardinals' recent form has been a major concern, with losses to Ohio, Kent State, Buffalo, and Bowling Green, and a win over Louisiana-Monroe. The Cardinals have struggled to find consistency, and have been outscored by an average of 9.8 points per game over their last five contests. The Zips, on the other hand, have been on a tear, with wins over Western Michigan, Massachusetts, Eastern Michigan, and Kent State, and a close loss to Troy. The Zips have shown an ability to score from both inside and outside, and have been strong on defense, allowing just 72 points per game over the last five contests. With the Zips' strong form and the Cardinals' struggles, it's likely that the Zips will come out on top, and the Cardinals must find a way to slow down the Zips' offense and get their own scoring going if they hope to pull off the upset. The Zips are averaging 81.3 points per game over their last three contests, and have been strong on the glass, with an average of 40.3 rebounds per game over this stretch. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have struggled to score, averaging just 58.3 points per game over their last three contests, and have been poor on the glass, with an average of 30.3 rebounds per game over this stretch.