Can Akron upset Ohio State?
It’s a battle of Ohio in the NIT Tournament tonight at 7PM ET when third-seeded Ohio State plays host to Akron on ESPN.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Ohio State is favored at home in this game, as the Buckeyes are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Zips. The over/under total for the game has been set at 145.5 points.
Ohio State is 20-13 overall, 14-5 at home and 16-15-1 against the spread. Akron is 26-8 overall, 6-7 on the road and 17-11 against the spread. These two have no recent meetings to go off of. Ohio State was 12-8 in the Big Ten while Akron went 15-6 in the Mid-American Conference.
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Akron had won five straight prior to losing in the MAC Tournament championship to Buffalo. The Zips are 4-2 against the spread in their last six. The Buckeyes are just 2-3 in their last five games and 1-4 against the spread in those five games. Ohio State had some slim hopes to make the NCAA Tournament, so a spot in the NIT probably doesn’t provide a lot of enthusiasm. Akron, on the other hand, welcomes postseason play as MAC teams have something to prove. Add in the fact Akron gets a chance to beat an in-state rival and try and lay claim to Ohio in this game, expect a strong effort from the Zips. Akron can shoot well from 3-point land and its bench should be deep than that of the Buckeyes. Go with the Zips to cover.
NIT TOURNAMENT FREE PICK: AKRON +5.5
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