Akron vs Ohio Prediction 2/22/25 College Basketball Picks

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

The Akron Zips’ recent form and player performance

The Ohio Bobcats’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Akron Zips

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Ohio Bobcats

Recent betting trends in games played between Akron and Ohio

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

Akron Zips Betting Preview

Akron started out the season on a decent clip, and they’ve been even better since the 2025 calendar year began.  The Zips went 7-5 over their first 12 outings, taking losses versus Arkansas State, Saint Mary’s, Milwaukee, Yale, and Princeton during that time. Akron hasn’t lost a game yet this year though. They’ve taken out 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 succession. In total that gives the Zips a 21-5 overall run through their first 26 games of the season so far. 

In the Northern Illinois matchup on Tuesday, the Zips came out of the break with a 31-28 deficit. Akron woke up after halftime and hit a 45-32 run the rest of the way, powering out the win 73-63 in the end. Leading the starters in scoring was Tavari Johnson with 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Nate Johnson chipped in 14 points with eight boards, four steals, and three assists, while Shammah Scott had 15 bench points with five rebounds. 

Ohio Bobcats Betting Preview

Over on the Ohio side, they’ve been able to stay above .500 so far despite some choppy play. The Bobcats opened the year on a 4-6 run, falling to James Madison, Illinois State, Memphis, Middle Tennessee, Texas State, and Marshall during that time. A win streak over Austin Peay, Muskingum, Central Michigan, Buffalo, Northern Illinois, and Ball State came next, then another 4-6 stretch. Those wins were over Kent State, Western Michigan, Bowling Green, and Central Michigan. Ohio has losses otherwise versus Akron, Eastern Michigan, Toledo, Miami OH, App State, and Kent State in that time, giving the Bobcats a 14-12 mark through 26 games so far. 

Matched up against Central Michigan on Tuesday, the Bobcats opened the game on a 41-38 deficit. Ohio got better in the second half on a 46-41 run though, eventually taking the comeback win at home 84-82. Leading the scoring in the victory was Jackson Paveletzke with 22 points, six boards, and four assists. AJ Brown added 20 points with seven rebounds, and Shereef Mitchell had 18 points with eight boards, six assists, and two steals. 

Why the Ohio Bobcats will win

• Ohio has won 13 of its last 14 games against Conference opponents at Convocation Center (OH).
• Akron has lost three of its last four night games at Convocation Center (OH).

Why the Akron Zips will win

• Akron has won each of its last 16 games against Conference opponents.
• Akron has won the first half in eight of its last 10 games.

Akron vs Ohio Prediction 

I’ll stick with Akron. The Zips had a bit of a slow start in their latest win over Northern Illinois, but everything worked out well. Akron ended up shooting 42.9 percent in that one with a 42-35 rebounding advantage and 15 team assists. On the other side, the Zips held NIU to just 35 percent shooting from the floor. That extends the Akron win streak to a nice 14 games, and they’ve scored 71 or more points in each of those outings. 

Back on January 17 when these teams last saw each other, Akron powered out a 92-80 home victory. The Zips were out-rebounded 43-36 (16-9 offensive) in the win but shot a nice 51.5 percent from the field to the Bobcats’ 34.4 percent. Akron’s 24 team assists dwarfed Ohio’s eight on the day as well. The Zips should be in line for another win here, so long as the pressure of that streak doesn’t get to them.