Akron vs Ball State Prediction 2/25/25 College Basketball Picks

The Akron Zips and the Ball State Cardinals meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Worthen Arena. Here’s an Akron vs Ball State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Akron vs Ball State pick. We will examine: 

The Akron Zips’ recent form and player performance

The Ball State Cardinals’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Akron Zips

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Ball State Cardinals

Recent betting trends in games played between Akron and Ball State

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

Akron Zips Betting Preview

The Zips had something of a shaky run initially this year, but they’ve been great since the year turned to 2025. Akron went 7-5 over their first dozen outings, taking losses to Arkansas State, Saint Mary’s, Milwaukee, Yale, and Princeton in that time. The Zips would then hit a winning streak over Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Ohio, Buffalo, Miami OH, Northern Illinois, Kent State, Ball State, South Alabama, Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Northern Illinois in the next 14 games, giving Akron a 21-5 overall run through 26 outings. 

In Saturday’s matchup with Ohio, the Zips were in trouble at halftime with a 43-29 deficit. Akron didn’t end up getting any closer than that on a 41-38 second half and took the loss at the end 84-67. Amani Lyles led the team with his 17 points and four rebounds off the bench. Both Tavari Johnson and Seth Wilson chipped in 12 points and two boards each, while Sharron Young had 10 bench points with four rebounds in 23 minutes of work. 

Ball State Cardinals Betting Preview

Over on the Ball State side, they’ve had mixed results this year and have been fighting off the .500 mark for quite some time. The Cards hit a 7-6 opening run with losses to Georgia State, Dayton, Indiana State, Detroit, Richmond, and SIU Edwardsville. A 3-6 stretch ensued with wins over Bowling Green, Central Michigan, and Buffalo amid losses to Miami OH, Ohio, Toledo, Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, and Akron. After three straight wins over Southern Miss, Eastern Michigan, and Northern Illinois, Ball State took a loss to Toledo. That would give the Cardinals a 13-13 record through their first 26 games of the year. 

Matched up against Buffalo over the weekend, the Cardinals jumped out to a five-point lead by the break. Ball State hit a 39-30 run the rest of the way and took the eventual win 80-66. Tops on the team in the victory was Payton Sparks with 18 points, eight boards, and one assist. Mickey Pearson added 14 points with seven boards, while Jermahri Hill doubled up on 10 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists in 29 minutes of work. 

Why the Ball State Cardinals will win

• Ball State has won nine of its last 10 games at John E. Worthen Arena following a home win.
• Akron has lost the first half in each of its last three games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Akron Zips will win

• Akron has won 16 of its last 17 games against Conference opponents.
• Ball State has lost 10 of its last 13 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Ball State has lost the first half in six of its last eight night games against Conference opponents.

Akron vs Ball State Prediction 

I’ll lean toward Akron. The Zips didn’t play well versus Ohio over the weekend though, so they’ll need a much better effort on Tuesday. Akron shot just 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from 3-point range in that loss to the Bobcats, while posting 14 turnovers for 17 Ohio points along the way. Otherwise, the Zips were pretty competitive; it was just a flat game overall. The loss snaps Akron’s win streak at 14 and takes a little bit of the luster off of this matchup. 

These teams last saw each other back on February 4 in an 81-73 home win for the Zips. In that one, both teams shot well (above 53 percent) and Akron had a slim rebounding lead 31-28. The key stat, however, was the 20 points scored off just 10 Ball State turnovers. The Zips won’t be able to rely on mistakes so much in the road rematch, so they’re going to have to make up for it in other areas.