Many eyes in the college basketball world will be on James A. Rhodes Arena Saturday as host Akron looks to handle the Ohio Bobcats in NCAA hoops action.

The Zips bring a 16-4 record (9-5-1 ATS) to this tilt against the 15-5 Bobcats, who are 8-8 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have witnessed Akron go 5-8 so far and the Bobcats go 4-6-2.



View Ohio vs Akron Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to go with the Zips in this one found them listed as 4-point favorites earlier on the NCAA basketball betting menu for Monday's contest. Check for updates as money coming in on the Bobcats was expected to move the line.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 40-ranked Zips and the No. 150-rated Bobcats in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 81-80 win for the Zips on Saturday.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Akron's No. 39 nationally ranked offense (74.8 points per game) against a Bobcats defense that sits as the No. 105 at 63.4 PPG. The Zips have been averaging 46% from the field, less than the Bobcats have managed so far this season (48.8% on average).

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, Ohio owns the country's No. 243-rated mark, allowing 72.9 points per game on the highway. Akron, on the other hand, rates No. 42 in scoring at home.

In their last action, Akron was a 68-55 Sportsbook on the road against Bowling Green. They covered the 9.5-point spread as favorites. Akron got 15 points from Zeke Marshall en route to a 68-55 victory over Bowling Green on Wednesday at Stroh Center.


Ohio Bobcats Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Ball State are 8-2
After playing Kent State are 7-3
After a win are 7-3

Akron Zips Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Central Michigan are 7-3
After playing Bowling Green are 6-4
After a win are 10-0

A few Bobcats at Zips trends to consider:
Ohio is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing on the road against Akron
Ohio is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Akron is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Akron is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Akron is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing at home against Ohio
Akron is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Ohio


Next up:
Ohio at Ball State, Wednesday, February 6
Akron home to Central Michigan, Tuesday, February 5