Ball State vs Ohio Prediction 1/14/25 College Basketball Picks

The Ball State Cardinals and the Ohio Bobcats meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Ohio University Convocation Center. Here’s a Ball State vs Ohio prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Ball State vs Ohio pick. We will examine:

The Ball State Cardinals’ recent form and player performance

The Ohio Bobcats’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Ball State Cardinals

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Ohio Bobcats

Recent betting trends in games played between Ball State and Ohio

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Ball State vs Ohio game

Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview

Ball State didn’t start out very well this year. To their credit, however, the Cardinals have gotten much better since mid-December or so. Ball State opened the season on a meager 3-6 run, beating only Franklin, Eastern Kentucky, and Florida Tech in that time. Otherwise, the losses came versus Georgia State, Dayton, Indiana State, Detroit, Richmond, and SIU Edwardsville. Since then it’s been a much-improved 5-1 stretch. The lone loss in those games was versus Miami Ohio. The wins came otherwise versus Bellarmine, Evansville, Anderson IN, Kent State, and Bowling Green for an 8-7 overall record so far this season.

In the Bowling Green game back on Saturday, the Cardinals came out of the break looking up at a 42-26 advantage on the scoreboard. Ball State kept it rolling in the second half on a 49-43 run and took the blowout victory in the end 91-69. Leading team scorer Payton Sparks came away with 19 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double. Both Mickey Pearson and Juanse Gorosito posted 16 points apiece with a combined five assists. Jeremiah Hernandez chipped in 14 points with five boards, four assists, and three steals in the winning effort as well.

Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview

Over on the Ohio side, they similarly had a tough start to the season. The Bobcats have similarly improved over the last six weeks themselves as well. In their opening 2-5 run, the Bobcats beat only UNC Asheville and Portland. The losses otherwise came versus James Madison, Illinois State, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, and Texas State in that time. Ohio has hit a 7-1 run over their last eight outings, with a lone loss to Marshall in the books. The wins came versus Robert Morris, Morehead State, Austin Peay, Muskingum, Central Michigan, Buffalo, and Northern Illinois. The result was a 9-6 overall record on the season thus far.

Matched up against Northern Illinois in their last game, the Bobcats rolled. Ohio came into the second half sporting a dominant 57-39 edge, then continued the onslaught on a 51-31 run for a 108-70 blowout finish. Tops in scoring was AJ Clayton with 31 points, four rebounds and two assists with two blocks and one steal. Jackson Paveletzke added 19 points with five assists and three rebounds, while Shereef Mitchell had 15 points and six boards off the bench.

Why the Ohio Bobcats will win

• Ohio has won each of its last 14 games at Convocation Center (OH) against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Ball State has lost each of its last four games at Convocation Center (OH) against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Ball State Cardinals will win

• Ball State has won five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Ball State vs Ohio Prediction

I’ll stay with Ohio here. You could probably call it either way, though; it’ll be a fun matchup. The Bobcats had zero issues with a struggling Northern Illinois team in their last outing, eventually shooting a nice 61.7 percent from the field with 54.8 percent (17-of-31) from outside and a 46-28 rebounding edge. The only real blemish came from the 15 turnovers. That makes 78 or more points in four of the last five games (all five were wins) for the Bobcats.

As for Ball State, they shot an excellent 58.9 percent from the field in their last win over Bowling Green. During this current 5-1 stretch, the Cards have posted 72 or more points in all six outings so they’re scoring quite well themselves. I like a high total and a competitive game here as Ohio powers out a cover in the end. Should be a good one.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Ohio Bobcats -9