Akron vs Miami OH Picks and Odds
- The Miami RedHawks (8-7, 5-5 MAC) host the Akron Zips (11-4, 9-3 MAC) Friday, Feb. 12
- Akron has won seven of its last eight, while Miami has lost three of its last four
- Read below for odds, analysis, and our best bet for this matchup
The Miami RedHawks (8-7, 5-5 MAC), losers of four straight in this MAC series, host the Akron Zips (11-4, 9-3 MAC) Friday, February 12. Tip is set for 7:00 pm ET at Millet Hall.
Zips senior guard Loren Cristian Jackson may only stand 5-foot-8, but the Chicago product has been huge for Akron this season, leading the MAC in scoring with a 21.3 points per game average. Meantime, sophomore forward Enrique Freeman is the conference leader in rebounding, grabbing 9.7 rebounds per game. The Zips lead the MAC in scoring margin (+9.87). As for the home team, sophomore guard Dae Dae Grant leads the way by averaging 13.7 points per game.
The Zips have been red-hot the last three weeks and are favored to continue their mastery over the RedHawks Friday on the road.
Akron vs Miami OH Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | -4.5 (-110) | N/A | Ov 142.5 (-110) |
| Miami OH | +4.5 (-110) | N/A | Un 142.5 (-110) |
Odds taken Feb. 11 at FanDuel
Comfort Zone
After a five-year stint at Illinois that included only one NCAA Tournament appearance (which came in his first season in Champaign), Akron head coach John Groce appears to have found his comfort zone once again in the MAC.
The 49-year-old led his alma mater Ohio to a pair of tourney appearances prior to taking over the Fighting Illini. Now, in Year Four with the Zips, Groce has it going this season coming off a 24-7 campaign. It starts with his two key players; the slippery Cristian Jackson and the athletic Freeman.
John Groce has a backcourt and it's lethal. Akron's duo of Loren Cristian Jackson and Bryan Trimble has serious mid-major pop. Fun race in the MAC with the Zips and Toledo.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) February 6, 2021
The reigning conference player of the year was also one of 40 mid-major players to be named to the Lou Henson All-America Team last season. He’s been even better during the 2020-21 campaign.
Meantime, Freeman is coming off an 11-rebound, four-block effort in a 72-61 win against Kent State last Friday. The Cleveland product is also putting up 8.1 points per game. Along with the potent backcourt of Cristian Jackson and Trimble, Freeman gives Akron an inside presence that makes it difficult to defend the Zips.
In This Corner…
He may not be as accomplished as Cristian Jackson, but Miami sophomore guard Dae Dae Grant is making a strong case to be considered one of the MAC’s most-efficient shooters. His three-point field goal percentage in MAC games has been downright Steph Curry-esque at 53.7-percent. He’s also been near-perfect from the free-throw line, sporting a 92-percent average from the charity stripe.
Grant and backcourt mate junior Isaiah Coleman-Lands have proven to be adept at taking care of the ball. Coleman-Lands currently boasts a 3.46 assist/turnover ratio with 45 assists to 13 turnovers through 14 games. He leads the MAC and ranks 12th nationally in assist/turnover ratio. He clearly feels comfortable in a RedHawks uniform.
As a team, Miami keep its turnovers per game down, as its 10.47 turnovers per game ranks second in the MAC and 11th nationally. The RedHawks flat-out handle the rock, giving up 10 or fewer turnovers in nine of their 15 games, including a season-low four against Mount St. Joseph on Dec. 11.
That type of ball security will be critical if Jack Owens’ team wants to snap out of its funk and protect home court.
Oxford Men
Speaking of home court, playing Friday’s tilt at Millett Hall gives the RedHawks a distinct advantage. The on-campus venue has become a quasi-fortress for the team this season, as Miami has earned a 7-2 record in Oxford. The group has won four of its past five there, including a 65-56 victory over Western Michigan Jan. 30.
So, will that home domination work against Akron Friday? The Zips have proven they can take their show on the road, winning three of their last four away from LeBron James’ hometown.
For me, this one boils down the current state of each program. Akron already lost to MAC leader Toledo. If the Zips have any chance to at a conference title, they need to take care of business against middle-of-the-road programs like Miami. Cristian Jackson is a special and is the type of player that can will a team to victory — which is exactly what I think happens Friday.
The pick: Akron -4.5 (-110)
Blair Johnson is a veteran journalist and seasoned sports content creator. He has been writing and producing content as long as he can remember, with such familiar names as CNN, NFL Media and Yahoo. Blair currently lives and works in the greater Los Angeles area.
