Buffalo Bulls vs Central Michigan Chippewas Matchup

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

Central Michigan vs Buffalo Prediction

Planning on watching today's Chippewas and Bulls game? Catch the action at Alumni Arena in Buffalo, NY, as the Bulls hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. Central Michigan is favored by -5.5 in this Mid-American conference matchup the against Buffalo. The over/under for the game is set at 144.5 points.

Central Michigan vs. Buffalo Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Central Michigan Chippewas at Buffalo Bulls
Where: Buffalo at Alumni Arena
Date: Tuesday, January 28th
Betting Odds CMICH -5.5, CMICH -241 | BUF +192 O/U 144.5

Chippewas Preview: Will Central Michigan Come Through as Road Favorites?

Central Michigan Chippewas Recent Game/Games

Central Michigan improved to 5-10 on the season with a 73-52 win over Western Michigan on Saturday. Playing at home, the Chippewas were favored by five points and covered the spread with the victory.

Central Michigan led 34-23 at halftime and added 39 points in the second half while holding Western Michigan to 29. The game’s total points of 125 fell short of the 144.5 O/U line.

Chippewas Offense Breakdown

Central Michigan put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 43.3% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.3%, with a 51.3% success rate on two-point attempts (20/39) and 28.6% from beyond the arc (6/21). At the free-throw line, they connected on 68.2% of their shots (15/22).

Markhi Strickland contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 63.6% from the field. Jakobi Heady added 16 points and 6 rebounds, despite shooting 30.8% overall and missing all 3 of his three-point attempts. Kyler VanderJagt was efficient, hitting 4 of 5 shots, including his only three-point attempt, to finish with 13 points in 17 minutes.

Chippewas Team Defense

Central Michigan's defense held their opponent to 52 points, despite allowing them to shoot 43% from the field. The Chippewas gave up 20 two-point baskets on 39 attempts, a 51% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Central Michigan's defense limited their opponent to 6 threes on 21 attempts, a 28% success rate. They also sent the other team to the line 22 times, where they made 15 free throws, shooting 68%. The Chippewas allowed 11 offensive rebounds.

Bulls Preview: Will the Bulls Make it Happen at Home?

Buffalo Bulls Recent Game/Games

The Bulls dropped to 4-13 on the season after a 90-77 road loss to Eastern Michigan on Saturday. Buffalo entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.

Buffalo led 45-42 at halftime but managed only 32 points in the 2nd half while allowing 48. The game’s total points of 167 exceeded the O/U line of 152.5.

Bulls Offense Breakdown

Buffalo's offense put up 77 points in their last game, shooting 45.8% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range, hitting 11 of 29 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 54.2%, and they connected on 75% of their free throws, going 12 for 16 from the line.

Ryan Sabol led the way with 25 points, hitting 6 threes at a 54.5% clip, while Tyson Dunn added 19 points. Jalin Billingsley was perfect from deep, hitting both of his attempts, and finished with 18 points on 7 of 10 shooting overall.

Bulls Team Defense

Despite Buffalo's defensive struggles, they allowed 90 points on 54% shooting from the field. The Bulls gave up 27 two-point field goals on 44 attempts, a 61% shooting rate.

Buffalo also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 22 times, where they converted 21 of those attempts for 95%. The Bulls allowed 8 offensive rebounds.

Chippewas vs Bulls Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Across the Chippewas last three road games, the team averaged 69 points per game while allowing 74. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 1-2, while going 1-2 straight-up.
Through their last five home games, Buffalo has an ATS record of just 1-4. However, their overall record was 1-4 while averaging 74 points per game.
Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Bulls have a straight up record of 1-4. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-4.
In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Chippewas have a straight up record of 3-2, while going 2-3 against the spread.