Northern Kentucky vs Akron Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/3/24

The Northern Kentucky Norse and the Akron Zips meet Tuesday in college basketball action from James A Rhodes Arena. Here’s a Northern Kentucky vs Akron prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Northern Kentucky vs Akron pick. We will examine:

The Northern Kentucky Norse’s recent form and player performance

The Akron Zips’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Northern Kentucky Norse

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Akron Zips

Recent betting trends in games played between Northern Kentucky and Akron

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

Northern Kentucky Norse Betting Preview

The Norse lost four straight games to start the year, falling versus Florida State, Purdue, Nicholls, and Cincinnati. Northern Kentucky is 2-1 since then, however, beating Kentucky State and Bellarmine around a loss to Charleston.

In the Bellarmine game on Saturday, the Norse held a modest 34-31 edge going into the second half. Northern Kentucky surged on a 52-39 run from there and won 86-70. Trey Robinson led the team with 24 points and eight rebounds in the victory.

Akron Zips Betting Preview

Over on the Zips’ side, they went 1-2 out of the gate this year with losses to Arkansas State and Saint Mary’s. Akron has since won three straight, however, taking out Lamar, Omaha, and Alabama State in that trio.

On Sunday versus Alabama State, the Zips held a nine-point lead in the locker room. Akron kept it up in the second with a 47-37 advantage and won 97-78. Nate Johnson was the top team scorer with 25 points with five rebounds.

Why the Akron Zips will win

• Akron has won each of its last 21 games against non-conference opponents at James A. Rhodes Arena.
• Northern Kentucky has lost each of its last four road games against non-conference opponents.
• Northern Kentucky has lost the first half in each of its last five games against the Mid-American Conference.

Why the Northern Kentucky Norse will win

• Northern Kentucky has won each of its last three road night games against the Mid-American Conference.

Northern Kentucky vs Akron Prediction

I’ll stay with Akron. The Zips looked pretty good in a rather routine win over Alabama State this past weekend. Akron shot 46.4 percent in that one and had a 53-32 rebounding edge (18-9 offensive). This year the Zips have scored very well in their wins, hitting 79 or more in all four and 88 or more in three of those.

As for Northern Kentucky, they shot 51.6 percent from the field with a 35-24 rebounding advantage over Bellarmine in their latest win. The Norse have also scored well in their wins (85 or more points in both) but not so well in their losses (64 or fewer in all five). I think Tuesday’s game will be one of the latter.

Andrew Jett's Pick: Akron Zips -6.5