Buffalo Bulls vs. Akron Zips prediction, pick for NCAAM on Thursday 3/12/26 The MAC Tournament kicks off on Thursday, with the second game of the day featuring a matchup between second-seeded Akron and seventh-seeded Buffalo. Akron, a dark horse in the March Madness race, enters as 12.5-point favorites (-118) over the Bulls, with the total set at 159.5 points. The Zips will need to secure a win to advance in the tournament, while Buffalo aims to upset a top-tier mid-major team. Buffalo has undergone a significant turnaround this season, improving its win total by eight games. Head coach George Halcovage has implemented an uptempo style of play, leading the Bulls to a 115.4 offensive rating and a fourth-best adjusted offensive efficiency in the MAC. Key contributors include junior Ryan Sabol, who averages 18.7 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game. However, the absence of leading scorer Daniel Freitag, who is sidelined with a head injury, poses a challenge. Freitag’s absence leaves only Angelo Brizzi (14.4 points per game) as a consistent offensive threat, and the Bulls struggle in low-scoring games, surrendering an 80+ point margin in four of their last eight contests. Akron, meanwhile, has emerged as a strong contender in the MAC. Despite a three-point loss to #20 Miami OH, the Zips remain undefeated in conference play and boast a +13.50 net rating, the 59th-best in college basketball. Their offensive prowess is highlighted by guard Tavari Johnson, who leads the conference with 20.2 points per game on 52/37/90 shooting splits. Johnson is supported by a deep roster, including Amani Lyles (14.8 PPG) and Shammah Scott (12.6 PPG). Akron’s three-point shooting remains a strength, ranking seventh nationally at 39.2% from long range, which could be a key factor against Buffalo’s 37.9% accuracy.#buffalo_bulls #akron_zips #george_halcovage #ryan_sabol #daniel_freitag
Akron Battles Buffalo to Begin the MAC Tournament The University of Akron men’s basketball team will face the Buffalo Bulls in the first round of the 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament on Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m. at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The matchup marks the 80th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Akron holding a 46-33 series advantage. Head coach John Groce, who has led the Zips to a 194-93 record at Akron, will face Buffalo’s George Halcovage III, whose team has a 30-63 overall record. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Rhett Boyd calling the action, while fans can listen on WHLO 640 AM with Dave Skoczen and Joe Dunn. Live stats will be available on GoZips.com/coverage. Akron’s recent performance has positioned it as a strong contender in the tournament. The Zips entered the MAC Tournament with a 26-5 overall record and a 17-1 mark in conference play. Their dominance at home has been notable, highlighted by a 31-game winning streak at James A. Rhodes Arena, which they extended with a 94-55 victory over Northern Illinois on March 6. Akron’s offense was explosive, hitting 18 of 27 three-pointers, led by Bowen Hardman’s career-high 20 points. The team also excelled defensively, limiting Northern Illinois to just 19.2% shooting from beyond the arc and 37.9% overall. Five players scored in double figures, including Amani Lyles with 17 points and two steals, and Sharron Young, who added 12 points, six rebounds, and two steals. The Zips’ recent matchup against Buffalo was equally impressive. On February 24, Akron defeated the Bulls 99-85 at home, securing its 30th consecutive home win. Tavari Johnson led the way with 23 points, going 11-of-11 from the free-throw line, while Evan Mahaffey recorded a career-high 20 points and nine rebounds.#mac_tournament #buffalo_bulls #university_of_akron #john_groce #rocket_arena
Buffalo vs Akron Odds: Computer Models Strong ATS Pick The "Fat and Happy" PRO System is active for Thursday’s MAC Tournament matchup between No. 2 Akron and No. 7 Buffalo, with the game set for 4 p.m. ET. Market data shows Buffalo is listed at -13.5 points, with the total score projected at 160. Analysis of PRO’s Bet Labs backtested trends highlights the point spread as the clear play for this contest. Multiple factors align to support the same side in this matchup. The PRO Systems Predict section emphasizes the point spread as the key betting angle for Thursday’s game. College basketball predictions for the day also include BYU vs. Houston, Florida State vs. Duke, TCU vs. Kansas, Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M, and Xavier vs. UConn. These games are highlighted as top bets for the evening slate. The article notes that the Buffalo Bulls mascot is featured in the promotional content, with credit given to Brian Losness-Imagn Images. The focus remains on the statistical models and historical data used to inform betting decisions, with the Akron vs. Buffalo game serving as a central example of the system’s predictive approach.#mac_tournament #buffalo_bulls #akron #brian_losness_imagn_images #pro_system
