Arkansas vs. Akron – 11/18/15 College Basketball Pick, Odds, and Prediction – Sports Chat Place
Akron Zips (2-0) at Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0)
College Basketball: Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at 8:00 pm (Bud Walton Arena)
The Line: Arkansas Razorbacks -4.5 — Over/Under: 150.5 See the Latest Odds
TV:
The Akron Zips will travel to Bud Walton Arena to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.
The Akron had little trouble improving to 2-0 (0-0 MAC) on the season after the defeated the D-III Hiram Terriers 100-30 this past Monday. Akron took a commanding 44-10 lead by half time and keep the pressure the on in the 2nd half but putting up another 56 points. Leading the way for the Zips was Austin Jackson who had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists from off the bench. Akron was equally impressive against a more quality opponent in their season opener against Cleveland State as they were able to also build a big first half lead (40-22) en route to a 65-53 victory. Leading the way for Akron this season will be Pat Forsythe who is averaging 10.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg so far this season. Reggie McAdams (11.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg) and Kwan Cheatham Jr (7.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg) will be counted on heavily this season. Akron is a team that certainly likes to utilize the 3-point ball as they average 9.4 three-pointers per game last season which ranked 9th in the country. Akron is a solid team that should have about 20 wins this season and are favorite to win the MAC East this season.
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The Arkansas Razorbacks (1-0, 0-0 SEC) opened their season with a quality 86-68 victory of the Southern Jaguars this past Friday. Arkansas had a solid night on the offensive end as they shot 48.5% from the field and 53.3% (8-13) from three-point range. Arkansas did a nice job on the boards outrebounding Southern by a 43-28 margin and also forced the Jaguars into committing 17 turnovers. Leading the way for Arkansas was Moses Kingsley who had a double-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks. Also chipping in for the Razorbacks was the Freshman Dusty Hannahs who went 5 for 7 from beyond on the arc and finished the game with 21 points. Arkansas had a tough off-season as they lost two players in Bobby Portis (17.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg) and Michael Qualls (15.9 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.7 ag) from last year’s team that made the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks will also be without point guard Anton Beard (5.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.5 apg) who is currently suspended for the Fall Semester. The Razorbacks will need to depend on veterans Moses Kingsley and Anthlon Bell along with incoming Freshman Dusty Hannahs and Jimmy Whitt to make it back to the NCAA Tournament for the 2nd straight year.
The Zips are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall however, just 7-15-1 ATS in their last 23 road games. The Razorbacks are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall however just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. win.
Looking at this line, I imagine the majority of the public will be jumping over Arkansas at home on this one however, this is going to be a much closer game than people think. Akron doesn’t play as well on the road but I’m interested in seeing how Arkansas plays against a quality opponent with Portis or Qualls. Akron will have trouble with the Razorbacks big man Moses Kingsley, however I do think Akron will be able to get open looks from beyond the arc to do enough damage to keep this one close and within the number. Take Akron and the points.
Akron Zips +4.5
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