Ball State is10-4 (7-5 ATS), while averaging a 77-67 score. The Cardinals shoot 49% from the field and allow 43%. Akron isn’t efficient on offense, shooting only 41% from the field and is 4-8 ATS. Ball State is at home and has won six straight (4-2 ATS). Ball State has lost five straight in this series but should reverse that trend Friday.

Not sure I will be around near tipoff so I'm going to have to pick and hope here that Akron star Xavier Castaneda misses a second straight game with a hand injury. According to the local fish wrap (newspaper for young'uns), Castaneda was limited to working on the side Thursday and with only his left (non-shooting) hand so I'm guessing he's out. Castaneda 19.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. See, folks, I do a TON of homework. That's why these uneven results are frustrating me to no end. All I can do is give you the information. Ball State is good enough to win regardless as Akron is 1-5 away from home (road and neutral sites).