Akron Zips vs Bowling Green Falcons Prediction, 1/4/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Akron Zips vs Bowling Green Falcons

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025

Location: Stroh Center in Bowling Green, OH

TV: ESPN+

The Bowling Green Falcons (5-7) are hosting the Akron Zips (7-5) at Stroh Center on Saturday.

The Akron Zips took the court against Princeton and went home with a loss by a final score of 76-75 in their last game. Akron ended the game with a 42.2% FG percentage (27 out of 64) and knocked down 7 of their 23 shots from beyond the perimeter. From the free throw line, the Zips made 14 of their 17 tries for a percentage of 82.4%. In relation to pulling down rebounds, they earned 35 with 9 of them being on the offensive end. They also distributed 9 assists for the matchup while creating 11 turnovers and getting 6 steals. When talking about defense, Akron allowed the other team to go 49.2% from the field on 29 of 59 shooting. Princeton distributed 13 dimes and had 10 steals for the contest. Additionally, Princeton had 28 boards (5 offensive, 23 defensive), but wasn't able to put a block in the stat sheet. Princeton finished the game at 61.1% from the free throw line by burying 11 of their 18 tries. They also made 7 of 20 tries from beyond the arc. When discussing personal fouls, the Zips walked away with 16 and Princeton racked up 14 personal fouls.

Nate Johnson is one guy who played a role in this matchup. He walked away with 17 points on 6 of 16 shooting. He played 36 minutes and also collected 2 boards. He shot 37.5% from the floor and also recorded 1 assist.

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Akron comes into this game with a record of 7-5 on the year. They are averaging 80.7 pts per contest (76th in college) while hitting 43.0% from the floor. The Zips are connecting on 34.8% on shots from downtown (134 of 385) and 73.5% from the free throw line. As a team, Akron is pulling in 40.7 rebounds per game and has totaled 209 assists this year, which is 116th in D-1 in terms of passing the ball. They turn it over 12.8 times per game and as a unit they are committing 17.5 fouls on a nightly basis.

When they are on defense, the Zips are forcing 14.8 turnovers per game and they draw 15.8 fouls. They currently rank 66th in college in allowing assists to the opposition with 149 relinquished on the season. The Zips defense is giving up an opponent shooting percentage of 43.9% (322 of 733) and they surrender 37.8 boards per contest as a squad. They are surrendering 33.1% on three-point shots while they are 242nd in college hoops in points per game allowed (73.3).

The last time they took the court, the Bowling Green Falcons got the victory with a final of 87-62 when they played Aquinas. The Falcons were able to corral 29 defensive rebounds and 17 offensive rebounds totaling 46 for the game. They also gave up possession 14 times, while earning 10 steals in the matchup. Aquinas committed 17 fouls for the contest which took the Falcons to the free throw line for a total of 18 attempts. They were able to knock down 13 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 72.2%. In regard to shooting from distance, Bowling Green made 10 of 32 tries (31.3%). When all was said and done, the Falcons finished 32 for 70 from the floor which gave them a rate of 45.7%. The Falcons permitted Aquinas to bury 20 of 59 attempts from the field which gave them a rate of 33.9% in this contest. They went 30.0% from three-point range by going 9 of 30 and walked away from this one shooting 13 out of 16 at the free throw line (81.3%). When it comes to team rebounding, Bowling Green allowed Aquinas to get 30 overall (9 on the offensive side).

Marcus Johnson ended up being a major contributor for the Falcons in this game. He earned 20 points in his 30 minutes of playing time, but wasn't able to tally an assist. He buried 8 of 10 for this contest for a field goal rate of 80.0%, and accounted for 2 rebounds.

Bowling Green has a mark of 5-7 for the year. As an offense, the Falcons are connecting on 46.0% from the floor, which is 146th in the country. Bowling Green has 941 points on the campaign (78.4 per game) and they pull in 33.7 rebounds per contest. They are getting an assist 12.3 times per contest (304th in college) and they are turning it over 11.6 times per contest. The Falcons are committing 17.9 fouls every game and they go 80.2% from the free throw line.

The Falcons on defense are ranked 275th in the nation in PPG surrendered with 74.9. They are forcing their opponents into 13.4 TO's every game and have allowed teams to shoot 44.3% from the floor (254th in D-1). The Bowling Green defense surrenders 31.5% on 3-point shots (92 of 292) and opponents are connecting on 78.3% of their free throw attempts. They have conceded 14.8 dimes and 35.6 boards every game, ranking them 297th and 243rd in those categories on the defensive end.

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Bowling Green

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