Akron vs. Ball State odds, prediction: 2026 college basketball picks for Feb. 20 from proven model
CBS Sports
by
Daniel Lewis
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Akron Zips are set to face the struggling Ball State Cardinals in a key MAC conference matchup on Friday, with Akron entering as a strong favorite. The SportsLine Projection Model has simulated the game 10,000 times and predicts Akron will secure a decisive victory, projecting them as 14.5-point favorites with an over/under of 147.5 points. Akron's solid season, including a 21-5 record (12-1 MAC), positions them just behind undefeated Miami (OH) in conference standings. Ball State, however, has had a challenging season at 8-18 overall and 3-10 in the MAC. The teams last met on January 13, where Akron won convincingly 87-77, clearing the total of 152.5 points. This game will air on CBS Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Akron's strong performance this season includes a 13-11 record against the spread (ATS), while Ball State struggles with a 9-15 ATS mark. The model highlights Akron as dominant over/under performers, having hit the Over in two straight games and 13 of 24 times overall this season. Their recent success suggests they are likely to continue their strong form. The game's high scoring potential is further supported by the teams' combined total of 164 points in their last matchup, which exceeded the projected 152.5 points.
SportsLine's model also reveals that one side of the spread has hit over 70% of the time in its simulations, a key insight for bettors looking to capitalize on this game. With Akron's consistent performance and Ball State's struggles, fans can expect an exciting matchup with significant implications for both teams' conference standings. For those interested in college basketball betting
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/20/2026