Ball State vs Buffalo Prediction 2/1/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a Ball State vs Buffalo  Prediction for this college basketball game on Saturday, February 1st, at the UB Alumni Arena. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Cardinals’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The Bulls’ recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Ball State

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Buffalo

-Recent betting trends in games played between Ball State and Buffalo

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Cardinals and Bulls. 

Ball State is Struggling

Ball State is struggling heading into this game and they have lost two straight games. Ball State, in the last game, faced off against Western Michigan, and they ended up losing 74-71. At halftime, they were down 41-36 and they couldn’t bounce back. Payton Sparks had a strong game putting up 19 points, 17 rebounds, and one assist. There were three different players that put up at least 10 points. Two games ago against Northern Illinois, they scored 66 points, but the defense gave up 76 points and that led to the defeat. 

Ball State comes into this game with a 9-11 record overall and they have gone 3-5 in conference play. Ball State comes into this game with 75.5 points while their defense gives up 73.5 points per game. The offense is ranked 162nd in the league while the defense is ranked 241st in the league. Jermahri Hill is having a strong season, averaging 16.2 points while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 23 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Why Ball State Will Beat Buffalo 

• Buffalo has lost each of its last six day games at Alumni Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• The road team has won three of Ball State’s last four games.
• The road team has won the first half in six of Buffalo’s last seven games.

Buffalo Looks for Second Straight Win

Buffalo faced off against Central Michigan in the last game, and they scored 75 points and the defense gave up 69 points, and that led to the six-point victory. Buffalo scored 45 points in the second half on the way to the victory. Ryan Sabol had a strong game putting up 24 points, two rebounds, and one assist. Two games ago against Eastern Michigan, the defense wasn’t as good and they ended up losing 90-77. 

The Bulls come into this game with a 7-13 record overall and they have gone 2-6 in MAC play. Buffalo is averaging 72.2 points while their defense is giving up 81.2 points per game. The offense is ranked 243rd while the defense is ranked 352nd in the league. They have an offensive rating of 96.6 which is 349th in the league. The defensive rating is 108.8. Ryan Sabol has been the top player averaging 16.6 points while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from behind the three-point line. 

Ball State vs Buffalo Prediction

This game is going to come down to defense and although neither defense is exactly good, the better defense is with Ball State. Buffalo is giving up 81.2 points per game and they are going to really struggle here. Ball State is going to have no issue running up the score, the Bulls offense isn’t going to be good enough and it’s going to be Ball State that is going to end up cruising here. Back Ball State against the spread.