Ohio vs. Akron: MAC Rivals Clash in High-Stakes Basketball Showdown

AKRON, Ohio — Conference rivals Ohio and Akron, both undefeated in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play, will face off in a high-stakes college basketball showdown Friday at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET, with the game airing on CBS Sports Network.

The Bobcats (11-5, 4-0 MAC) and the Zips (10-6, 4-0 MAC) are tied atop the MAC standings, making this matchup critical for both teams. Akron enters as a 3.5-point favorite, according to the SportsLine consensus, with the over/under for total points set at 161.5.

Ohio has been on a roll, winning six straight games, including dominant victories over conference opponents. The Bobcats rank second in the MAC in field goal percentage (48.2%) and 3-point percentage (36.8%). Senior forward [Name], who leads the team with 16.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, will be key to Ohio’s success. He recently scored 31 points in a win against Northern Illinois, shooting an impressive 90% from beyond the arc.

Akron, meanwhile, has also been strong in conference play, defeating all four MAC opponents this season. The Zips lead the conference in 3-point shots made (11.4 per game) and total rebounds (40.6 per game). Junior guard [Name] anchors Akron’s offense, averaging 12.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Senior forward [Name] adds 8.2 rebounds and 7.7 points per game, providing a balanced attack.

The Zips have had the upper hand in recent matchups, winning the last three meetings at James A. Rhodes Arena. Their most recent victory over Ohio came last season, when Akron rallied in the second half for a 65-62 win.

According to a predictive model that simulates every Division 1 college basketball game 10,000 times, the model leans toward the under on the total points and has identified a point-spread pick that hits nearly 70% of the time. The model has been highly successful this season, boasting a 195-134 record (+2882) on top-rated college basketball picks since 2023.

Fans and bettors alike will be watching closely as these MAC rivals battle for conference supremacy. With both teams playing at a high level, the game promises to be a thrilling contest.