Eastern Michigan vs Akron Prediction College Basketball Picks 3/5/24

The Eastern Michigan Eagles will play the Akron Zips in a MAC game on Tuesday night at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, Ohio. Eastern Michigan has won two of their last three games, while Akron has alternated wins and losses over their last seven games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Eastern Michigan vs Akron prediction.

Eastern Michigan Preview

The Eastern Michigan Eagles are 12-17 (5-11) this year after they lost to Miami (OH) by a score of 52-37 in their last game. Eastern Michigan only managed to score 17 points in the first half and 20 in the second half for the loss. The Eagles shot 32% from the field and were 3-19 on three pointers in the game. Eastern Michigan defeated Western Michigan by a score of 70-67 and Ball State by a score of 58-56 in the two games prior to Miami (OH). The Eagles are scoring 66.3 points per game with 34.4 rebounds per game and 10.3 assists per game, while giving up 73.3 points against per game this year. Tyson Acuff (questionable) is averaging 21.7 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and 2.8 assists per game. Eastern Michigan is shooting 43.2% from the field, 67.1% on free throws, and 30.8% on three pointers this season. 

Akron Preview

The Akron Zips are 21-8 (13-3) this season after they defeated NIU by a score of 80-73 in their last game. Akron trailed 37-34 at halftime, but they scored 46 points in the second half for the win. The Zips shot 42.9% from the field and were +10 in rebounding margin in the game. Akron lost to Ohio by a score of 74-67 in the game prior to NIU, but did beat Kent State before that. The Zips are scoring 74.9 points per game with 36.9 rebounds per game and 13.3 assists per game, while giving up 65.6 points against per game this season. Enrique Freeman is averaging 18.3 points per game, 12.7 rebounds per game, and 1.6 assists per game. Akron is shooting 45.7% from the field, 72.6% on free throws, and 33.7% on three pointers this year. 

Eastern Michigan vs Akron Betting Prediction

Akron comes into this matchup with a one game lead for first in the MAC, but they have been pretty inconsistent over their last seven games. The Zips have alternated wins and losses in those seven games, but they are at home, where they have been very good this year. Eastern Michigan has won two of their last three games and three of their last five, but they are only 5-11 in the conference and are third worst in the standings. Akron is the way better team in this matchup and their defense should lead the way against a poor shooting EMU team, but this is a lot of points to cover for a team that hasn’t been at their best over the last couple of weeks. Take Eastern Michigan with the points. 

David Racey's Pick: Eastern Michigan +20.5