Toledo Rockets vs Akron Zips Prediction – 3/14/2025

The Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament semifinals are set to feature an exciting contest between the Toledo Rockets and the Akron Zips on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM. This game will take place at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, and will be broadcast on CBSSN. Both teams have demonstrated strong performances this season, setting the stage for a compelling encounter.

Toledo Rockets vs Akron Zips Game Preview

The Toledo Rockets enter this semifinal matchup with an 18-14 overall record, including a 10-8 mark in MAC play. Their recent form has been encouraging, highlighted by a 90-85 overtime victory against the Ohio Bobcats in the quarterfinals. In that game, guard Sam Lewis led the team with 21 points, three rebounds, and four blocks. Lewis has been a consistent performer throughout the season, averaging 15.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Offensively, Toledo averages 78.2 points per game, shooting 46.4% from the field and 33.7% from three-point range. However, their defense has been less robust, allowing 79.4 points per game, with opponents shooting 49.2% from the field and 37.9% from beyond the arc. This defensive vulnerability could be a concern against a high-scoring Akron team.

On the other side, the Akron Zips have been a dominant force this season, boasting a 26-6 overall record and a stellar 17-1 record in conference play. They are currently on a five-game winning streak, including a commanding 96-67 victory over the Bowling Green Falcons in the quarterfinals. In that game, Bowen Hardman led the scoring with 17 points off the bench, while Seth Wilson and Tavari Johnson contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Akron's offense is potent, averaging 84.0 points per game with a shooting accuracy of 47.0% from the field and 36.0% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow 74.3 points per game, with opponents shooting 43.2% from the field and 31.4% from beyond the arc. Their balanced play on both ends of the court has been a key factor in their success this season.

Betting Insights

As of the latest available information, the betting odds for this matchup are as follows:

• Point Spread: Akron -8.5
• Over/Under Total: 166 points

These odds suggest that Akron is favored to win by approximately 8.5 points, with a high-scoring game anticipated. Bettors should consider the following factors:

• Akron has covered the -8.5 spread in four of their last five home games.
• Toledo has struggled against the spread recently, going 2-7 in their last nine games.
• The total has gone over in five of Toledo's last five games, indicating a trend toward high-scoring contests.

Toledo Rockets vs Akron Zips Prediction

Considering the current form and statistical analysis, Akron appears well-positioned to secure a victory and cover the -8.5 spread. Their balanced offensive and defensive play, combined with Toledo's defensive struggles, suggest that the Zips can exploit these weaknesses effectively. Additionally, Akron's recent dominance over Toledo, including two victories earlier this season, further supports this outlook.

Therefore, the recommendation is to back Akron to win and cover the -8.5 spread. Bettors should also consider the over on the total points, given both teams' tendencies toward high-scoring games.