Akron Zips vs Buffalo Bulls Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Akron vs Buffalo NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Buffalo.

Akron vs Buffalo Prediction

Planning on watching today's Zips and Bulls game? Catch the action at Alumni Arena in Buffalo, NY, as the Bulls hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. In this Mid-American matchup, Akron is favored bt -12.5 vs. Buffalo. The over/under for the game is 159.5 points.

Akron vs. Buffalo Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Akron Zips at Buffalo Bulls
Where: Buffalo at Alumni Arena
Date: Tuesday, January 21st
Betting Odds AKRON -12.5, AKRON -818 | BUF +532 O/U 159.5

Zips Preview: Taking a Look at the Zips Chances on the Road

Akron improved to 10-5 on the season with a 92-80 win over Ohio on Friday. The Zips, who were favored by 4 points, not only secured the victory but also covered the spread. The game’s total points of 172 exceeded the O/U line of 161.5.

Akron led 44-29 at halftime but allowed Ohio to score 51 points in the 2nd half while putting up 48 points of their own.

Zips Offense Breakdown

Akron's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 92 points with a field goal percentage of 51.5% and an effective field goal percentage of 58.8%. They connected on 38.5% of their threes, hitting 10 of 26 attempts, while shooting 59.5% from inside the arc. At the free-throw line, the Zips were efficient, making 12 of 15 for 80%.

Shereef Mitchell led the way with 27 points, shooting 56.2% from the field and 50% from three. Isaiah Gray added 22 points, despite hitting just 1 of 6 from deep. Amani Lyles was nearly perfect from the floor, shooting 77.8% and contributing 17 points and 6 assists. Akron finished with 24 assists as a team.

Zips Team Defense

Akron's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 80 points on 51% shooting from the field. They allowed the opposing team to shoot 59% from two-point range, with 25 made baskets on 42 attempts.

From beyond the arc, Akron's defense gave up 10 threes on 26 attempts, a 38% shooting rate. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 15 times, where they converted 12 attempts, shooting 80%.

Bulls Preview: Can the Bulls Offense Score Enough at Home?

Buffalo Bulls Recent Game/Games

Buffalo improved to 4-11 on the season with an 85-76 win over Western Michigan on Saturday. The Bulls were +8.5 point underdogs going into the game, but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.

Buffalo took control early, leading 53-39 at halftime. While they allowed 37 points in the second half, they managed to hold on for the win. The game’s total points of 161 went over the pre-game line of 153.5.

Bulls Offense Breakdown

Buffalo's offense put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 49.2% from the field. They connected on 15 of 32 three-point attempts, hitting 46.9% from deep, and finished with an effective field goal percentage of 61%.

Chansey Willis Jr. led the Bulls with 21 points and 5 assists, while Tyson Dunn added 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, hitting 6 threes at a 50% clip. The Bulls struggled at the free-throw line, making just 12 of 25 attempts (48%).

Bulls Team Defense

Buffalo’s defense gave up 76 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field. They allowed 55% shooting on two-point attempts, as the other team went 25/45 inside the arc.

From three-point range, Buffalo held the other team to 22% shooting, with just 5 made threes on 22 attempts. The Bulls also sent them to the free-throw line 19 times, where they hit 11 for 57%. Buffalo gave up 8 offensive rebounds.

Zips vs Bulls Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Akron has played well in their previous three road games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 83 points per game while allowing 75. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
In their last ten games at home, the Bulls have a straight up record of 2-8 while going 6-4 vs. the spread. The team averaged 69 points per game in this stretch.
Going back to their last ten games as the underdog, the Bulls have a straight up record of 1-9. But, their mark vs the spread was just 5-5.
Through their last three games as the favorite, the Zips have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 3-0.