College basketball wagering interest will be high on Friday when the Zips of Akron hit the hard court against the Crusaders of Valparaiso.

The Crusaders sport records of 2-1 and 2-0 ATS heading into this battle, while the Zips have 2-0 and 1-0 ATS marks on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 2-0 for the Crusaders and 0-1 for the Zips.



View Akron vs Valparaiso Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Crusaders - Zips odds would favor the Crusaders if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Valparaiso is rated No. 64 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Akron is at No. 81. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 92-89 win for the Zips.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Valparaiso's No. 56-ranked offense, averaging 80.7 PPG, against a Zips defense that ranks No. 102 at 61.5 PPG. The Crusaders field goal percentage has averaged 51.9% so far, more than the Zips marksmen have achieved on the year, 48.9% per game.

Defensively, Akron features the nation's No. 117-rated defense on the road, allowing 58 points per game. Valparaiso, meanwhile, comes in at No. 46 nationally in scoring at home.

Akron won its last outing, a 95-65 result against Hiram on November 12. The Zips blew out Hiram on Saturday, running up a 20+ point victory in a 95-65 win at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Valparaiso won its last outing, an 88-38 result against Holy Cross College on November 14. The battle between the Crusaders and Saints didn’t turn out to be much of a battle at all as Holy Cross College was handed an 88-38 defeat on Monday at Athletics-Recreation Center.


Akron Zips Trends:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Duquesne are 5-3
After a win are 8-2

Valparaiso Crusaders Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
After a win are 5-5

A few Zips at Crusaders trends to consider:
Akron is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Valparaiso is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games at home
Valparaiso is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games


Next up:
Akron home to Duquesne, Saturday, November 19
Valparaiso home to Duquesne, Sunday, November 20