BETTING PREVIEW: Ball State at Central Michigan Strong Betting Prediction

Ball State at Central Michigan Betting Prediction

Ball State (7-9) meets Central Michigan (6-12) for the first of two games in the 2021 NCAA Basketball regular season. This matchup will be two of the team’s next three games, meaning they will get to know each other pretty well before a rematch. After all, neither of these two teams are very good, but this is a comparable matchup.

Central Michigan’s Recent Struggles 

Central Michigan comes into this game on a five-game losing streak. The Chippewas have had a difficult season having many of their games postponed recently, affecting their ability to get into a consistent rhythm. Guard Travon Broadway Jr. is the Chippewas best player averaging a team-high 17.9 points in an average of 29.9 minutes per game. For Central Michigan, their guards are their best players. Broadway Jr. is joined alongside Meikkel Murray, who averages 14.2 points per game and Caleb Huffman averaging 11.6 points per game. Broadway Jr. and Murray also do a great job of rebounding as guards.

Ball State Ends a Skid

Ball State finally ended a four-game skid Saturday against the University of Toledo, beating the Rockets 81-67. Two of Ball State’s best players are also in the frontcourt. The Cardinals are led by guard K.J. Watson who is averaging 16.1 points per game, and guard Ishmael El-Amin, who is averaging 15.3 points per game. Ball State will need to put up points to win this game.

MAC Basketball

Both of these teams come from the Mid American Conference (MAC). Even though they are from the same conference, they have not played each other yet this season. One opponent that I am basing a lot of thought on is Bowling Green. Central Michigan has played Bowling Green twice this season and lost both matchups. In one game against Bowling Green, Ball State won big 88-64.

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Offensive Comparison

On the season, Central Michigan has shown the ability to put up more points per game than Ball State. Central Michigan averages 77.4 points per game compared to Ball State’s 70.8 points per game. If Central Michigan wants to snap their losing streak, they will need to put up points and shoot efficiently.

Last Five Games

Ball State (1-4 )

Ball State was able to get things going again on Saturday against Toledo. Unfortunately for Ball State, they have not had much success when they don’t score a lot of points. Three games ago against Akron, the Cardinals struggled to score only 42 points. 

Central Michigan (0-5) 

Central Michigan’s next two games after Ball State against the University of Buffalo and the University of Ohio have been postponed. The Chippewas‘ last game was a loss to Western Michigan 67-65 on Feb 6.

Odds

Ball State -4.5 (-110) Over/Under 147.5 (-110)

Central Michigan +4.5 (-110) Over/Under 147.5 (-110)

Prediction: Ball State -4.5

Both of these teams are not very good, but I think Ball State has what it takes to get it done, having snapped their losing streak. This game is up for grabs, but take Ball State -4.5 as Central Michigan is in the middle of an awful skid. One of these days, Central Michigan will snap their losing streak, but I don’t see that happening in this one. When looking at the team stats, these teams compare very closely.