Akron Zips vs Miami (OH) RedHawks Matchup

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

Miami (OH) vs Akron Prediction

The RedHawks and Zips are set to face off at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. The Zips will host the game at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron, OH. The odds for this Mid-American conference game currently have Akron as the -6.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 156.5 points.

Miami (OH) vs. Akron Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Miami (OH) RedHawks at Akron Zips
Where: Akron at James A. Rhodes Arena
Date: Saturday, January 25th
Betting Odds AKRON -6.5, MIAOH +235 | AKRON -285 O/U 156.5

RedHawks Preview: Will the RedHawks Come Through as Road Underdogs?

Miami (OH) improved to 12-4 on the season with an 84-76 win over Bowling Green on Tuesday. The RedHawks, who were -9.5 favorites, didn’t cover the spread, but they got the win at home. The combined points of 160 went over the pre-game line of 149.5.

After trailing 40-39 at halftime, Miami (OH) turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring Bowling Green 45-36 to secure the win.

RedHawks Offense Breakdown

Miami (OH) put up 84 points in their last game, shooting 52.5% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 57.6%. They were dominant inside, hitting 68.6% of their two-point attempts, while struggling from beyond the arc, connecting on just 29.2% of their threes (7/24). At the free-throw line, they were efficient, making 15 of 18 attempts for an 83.3% success rate.

Derrick Butler and Trey Thomas each contributed 17 points, with Thomas adding 7 assists. Jamai Felt was perfect from the field, going 6/6, while Mekhi Cooper and Javontae Campbell both added 14 points. Marcus Johnson also chipped in 11 points and 6 rebounds, hitting 3 of 5 from three-point range.

RedHawks Team Defense

Despite Miami (OH) giving up 76 points, they struggled defensively, allowing their opponent to shoot 52% from the field. The RedHawks were particularly vulnerable inside, where they gave up 24 two-point baskets on 35 attempts, a 68% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Miami (OH) held their opponent to 7 made threes on 24 attempts, a 29% success rate. The RedHawks also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 15 shots, an 83% clip. Miami (OH) allowed 8 offensive rebounds in the game.

Zips Preview: Can Akron Live Up to the Hype at Home?

Akron Zips Recent Game/Games

Akron improved to 11-5 this season with a dominant 90-58 road win over Buffalo on Tuesday. The Zips, who were -12.5 favorites, covered the spread with ease. The game’s total points (148) fell short of the O/U line of 159.5.

Akron led 40-25 at halftime and continued their strong play in the 2nd half, scoring 50 points while allowing just 33.

Zips Offense Breakdown

Akron's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 90 points while shooting 58.1% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 69.4%, thanks in part to hitting 14 of 26 from three-point range, good for 53.8%.

Tavari Johnson led the way with 20 points and 5 assists in just 20 minutes, shooting 4 of 7 from deep. The Zips dished out 22 assists as a team, with Nate Johnson contributing 18 points and 9 rebounds.

Zips Team Defense

Akron's defense was on point, holding their opponent to just 58 points on 30% shooting from the field. The Zips were particularly effective at defending the three-point line, where their opponent managed only 9 of 36 attempts, a 25% success rate.

Inside the arc, Akron limited their opponent to 12 of 33 shooting, or 36%. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 13 times, where they converted 7 attempts, shooting 53%. The Zips gave up 8 offensive rebounds in the game.

RedHawks vs Zips Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across their ten previous road games, Miami (OH) has an ATS mark of 5-5. Their straight up record in these matchups was 6-4 while averaging 69 points per game.
The Zips are 4-1 ATS in their last home games and 4-1 straight-up.
In their last three games as the betting underdog, the RedHawks have a straight up record of 1-2 and an ATS mark of 1-2.
Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Akron has an ATS mark of 7-3 while going 10-0 straight up.