Akron vs Ohio Odds, Lines and Spread (Feb 25)

• Akron (18-9, 11-6 MAC) takes on Ohio (23-5, 14-3 MAC) Friday, February 25th at 6:00 pm ET in Athens
• The Zips are coming off an 82-68 home win against Bowling Green on Tuesday, while the Bobcats beat Central Michigan 76-50 at home on the same day
• See the current Akron vs Ohio odds, point spread, and game total, plus predictions

The Akron Zips (18-9, 11-6 MAC) — who have won two straight after losing three in a row — take on the Ohio Bobcats (23-5, 14-3 MAC) in college basketball on Friday at the Convocation Center.

Tip off is at 6:00 pm ET on CBS Sports Network.

Akron vs Ohio Odds

Odds as of February 24th, 2022 at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Ohio is a seven-point favorite over Akron, while the total is 132.

Neither team is expected to make the NCAA Tournament pert the latest March Madness bracket projection, with Toledo getting the MAC’s lone bid. But Ohio is at least on the board in the odds to make the Final Four, sitting at +10000.

They are holding the 96th spot in the NET Rankings, 62 places better than Akron (158).

John Groce’s team buried ten triples and outrebounded the Falcons 34-22 in the 14-point victory that clinched a spot for Akron in the MAC Tournament in two weeks. Four Zips — led by Ali Ali and Mikal Dawson’s career-high 17 points each — scored in double-figures.

Meantime, Jeff Boals’ club got a game-high 23 points off the bench from senior guard Tommy Schmock and only the fourth triple-double in program history from senior forward Ben Vander Plas (10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) in a 26-point demolition of the Chippewas.

Akron and Ohio are Even in Recent H2H History

The Bobcats have taken two straight in their 69-game series history with the Zips, but the two programs have split the last ten matchups dating back to the 2016-17 season. Ohio prevailed 69-63 over Akron last month.

Great night to be a Bobcat. Ohio with a HUGE 69-63 road win at Akron. Marks Sears is a BAD man. And Jeff Boals gets career coaching win 100. Bobcats now 11-2 (2-0) this season.

— Matt Barnes (@Matt_NBC4) January 5, 2022

Sophomore guard Sears leads the Bobcats in points (19.3 ppg) and assists (4.0) and finished with a game-high 24 in that six-point victory over the Zips last month. Ali Ali had 22 points, a total he has not eclipsed since. The sophomore forward leads the team in scoring (at 13.8 points per outing) and is one of four players putting up double-digits.

Akron started slow in MAC play, splitting its first four. But then the Zips won seven of eight. Since that run, Groce’s group has gone 2-3, but its offense was humming against the Bowling Green in the second half. Akron went 14-of-20 from the field and owned the boards (to the tune of an 18-6 advantage).

The Zips have an 11th-best offensive free throw attempt/field goal attempt ratio in the land and own a respectable 6-4 record in true road games.

Ohio is 8-9 ATS in MACtion

Ohio and Toledo are tied atop the MAC standings at 14-3. But when it comes to their record in conference play against the spread, the Bobcats are only 8-9. One of those victories was as a 16.5-point favorite against Central Michigan on Tuesday.

Boals’ boys shot a serviceable 45.8% from the field, but it was the Bobcats’ defense that was the difference. The Chips managed to shoot only 31.3% from the field, while Ohio dished out 23 assists compared to CMU’s eight.

Sears is one of three players (Jason Carter and BVP are the other two) averaging in double-figures for Ohio, which is rated No. 106 overall by KenPom (second-best in the MAC after the Rockets at No. 88).

The Bobcats are known for their ability to take of possessions (ranking 30th in offensive turnover percentage and 27th in offensive non-steal turnover percentage).

Akron vs Ohio Prediction

With Ohio’s MAC record against the spread being under .500, it’s easy to be apprehensive about the favorite in this spot.

But the Bobcats are also 15-1 at the Convo and Friday is Senior Night. Akron failed as 2-point underdogs in its place in the first matchup. I think the Zips go down again as ‘dogs in this spot.

Pick: Ohio -7 (-110)