The Bowling Green Falcons (16-11, 7-7 MAC) are set to face the unbeaten No. 23 Miami (Ohio) Redhawks (26-0, 13-0) this Friday at Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio, with a tip-off at 8:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted on CBS Sports Network. As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, we take a closer look at the latest NCAA basketball odds from BetMGM Sportsbook and outline expert predictions for the game.
Bowling Green is coming off a challenging defeat, losing 78-71 at home against the Kent State Golden Flashes on Tuesday, where they were 1.5-point favorites. Javontae Campbell led the Falcons with a notable performance, scoring 22 points and contributing 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals. Another standout, Sam Towns, added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Falcons have struggled recently, having lost five of their last eight games outright and posting a 3-5 record against the spread in that stretch. The team has particularly found the Under favorable, hitting it in six consecutive games and eight of their last nine.
On the other hand, the Miami Redhawks maintained their perfect season with an 86-77 victory over the UMass Minutemen, covering as a 2.5-point favorite. Guard Peter Suder showcased his skills by scoring 23 points, alongside key contributions on the boards and defensively. Miami has shown remarkable consistency, covering the spread in their last three games and demonstrating high offensive production, scoring 86 points or more in each of their previous three matches.
Analyzing the odds, Bowling Green is a +300 underdog on the moneyline, meaning a bet of $100 would yield a $300 return. Conversely, Miami (Ohio) is positioned as a -375 favorite. The spread sits at Miami -8.5, reflecting the Redhawks’ strong performance thus far. Additionally, the Over/Under for the game is set at 153.5.
Predictions lean heavily towards Miami (Ohio) winning, with a projected score of 84-68. While betting on Miami straight brings significant risk relative to the reward, the -8.5 spread presents a more attractive option for bettors. Given Miami’s recent form and their previous win against Bowling Green by ten points, a similar outcome at home seems likely.
The Under at 153.5 also merits consideration, particularly since Bowling Green has been on a six-game Under streak. However, caution is advised as both teams previously combined for a high-scoring affair with 176 points in their first matchup.
As fans eagerly anticipate this exciting clash, both teams will be looking to assert themselves and make a statement as they head deeper into the season. The competitive atmosphere and stakes of this game promise an enthralling showdown for college basketball enthusiasts.