Central Michigan at Akron 1/21/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Central Michigan Chippewas travel on the road to James A. Rhodes Arena to take on the Akron Zips. Central Michigan has lost four of their last five, the only win coming at home over Eastern Michigan. The last time the Chippewas were in action, they were dominated on the road by Toledo 89-72 to drop to 6-8 on the year. Akron has won two in a row, the most recent a 69-57 win on the road over Bowling Green to improve to 6-3 on the year. 

Central Michigan and their up-tempo offense come in averaging 79.7 points per game ranking 51st in the country in scoring offense. The Chippewas are 28th in pace and are shooting 45.1% from the field as a team this season. With just 28.2% of their scoring returning, it’s new faces but a similar fast-paced offense that struggles with efficiency. 

Senior guard Travon Broadway has led the way averaging 17.5 points and pulling down 5.6 rebounds per game. Broadway’s role this season has increased by nearly double and he’s responded by raising his shooting percentage by nearly 9%. Starting point guard Devontae Lane has been around starting 41 games for the Chippewas after transferring in from junior college, his 3.1 assists are team-high and he adds 8.7 points per game. 

Akron is a solid offense themselves averaging 78.7 points per game ranking 64th in the country in scoring offense. The Zips are shooting 45.5% from the field as a team and love to let it fly from beyond the arc taking the 6th most threes from beyond the arc, making 32.5% of his threes. Senior guard Loren Jackson is back after earning MAC Player of the Year last season. 

Jackson has continued to improve in the opening of his senior season averaging 21.9 points per game and dishing out 6.9 assists per game both team-highs. Outside of Jackson, the Zips look to sophomore forward Enrique Freeman, he’s pulling down a team-high 9.2 rebounds and adding 8.9 points per game. 

The uptempo play of Central Michigan has led to allowing 77.5 points per game, the 310th ranked scoring defense in the country. Opponents have shot 44% from the field and the Chippewas are 307th in KenPom adjusted defense. Akron is allowing 70.4 points per game ranking 184th in scoring defense and opposing teams are shooting 42.4% from the field. The Zips are 149th in KenPom adjusted defense.