Ball State vs. Central Michigan - 3/3/20 College Basketball Pick, Odds, and Prediction

One of the big issues for the Chippewas this year has been their inability to play their own pace, rather playing whatever their opponent dictates. 

In Central Michigan’s last game against Eastern MIchigan they gave up only 67 points but three games ago against Toledo they gave up 93. Away from home this season the Chippewas are giving up 78.9 points while letting opponents shoot 46.4 percent from the field. 

Ball State has been up and down this season and coming into this game they have won two of the last three games. The one loss during that stretch for Ball State was against Toledo and they were underdogs in that game.

Over the last five games Ball State is averaging 65.6 points per game while the defense is giving up 66.8 points. 

Ball State isn’t an elite offensive team so when they have success it’s usually because the defense struggles. 

Ball State has two players, Tahjai Teague, and Ishmael El-Amin who are both averaging 14.6 points per game. If Ball State wants to find success in this game, Teague and El-Amin are needing to have big games. 

Central Michigan is 1-5-2 against the spread in their last eight games overall. Central Michigan is 2-7 against the spread in their last nine games played on Tuesday. 

Ball State is 8-2 against the spread in their last ten home games. Ball State is 5-13 against the spread in their last 18 games played on Tuesday. The over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in Ball State. 

Central Michigan is really struggling and it’s not going to magically change in this game. Look for the Chippewas to struggle to score and that will be enough for Ball State to win and cover the spread.