Bowling Green vs Ball State Picks and Prediction – 1/11/2025

This Saturday, Marcus Johnson and the Bowling Green Falcons will travel to Worthen Arena to face Payton Sparks and the Ball State Cardinals in a Mid-American Conference matchup. Get our free NCAAB Picks all season long! The Falcons come into the game with momentum after a narrow 83-79 victory over Western Michigan on Tuesday. Johnson has been a key contributor for Bowling Green, providing consistent scoring and leadership as the team works to find consistency in conference play.

Bowling Green has shown offensive firepower, with Johnson leading the charge, but they’ll need to focus on improving their defense to contend with Ball State’s balanced attack. Limiting turnovers and capitalizing on scoring opportunities will be critical for the Falcons on the road.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back after an 80-72 loss to Miami (OH) on Tuesday. Sparks has been a dominant presence for Ball State, using his size and skill to control the paint and lead the team on both ends of the floor. Despite the recent loss, Ball State has the tools to compete, especially with Sparks anchoring their offense.

For Ball State, maintaining defensive intensity and containing Johnson will be key to securing a win. Sparks will look to set the tone early, supported by his teammates to create scoring opportunities and control the tempo of the game.

This matchup features Johnson’s scoring for Bowling Green against Sparks’ physical dominance for Ball State in what promises to be a competitive MAC showdown. While the Falcons bring momentum, the Cardinals’ home-court advantage and inside presence could give them the edge. Final Score Prediction, Ball State Cardinals win 78-72.