Ball State vs Miami (OH)

Miami (OH) is rolling on a three-game winning streak and looks focused on maintaining momentum, despite their center recovering from a nagging knee strain and still listed as questionable. Ball State, meanwhile, has dropped its last two outings, and they are also dealing with guard troubles after a bruised elbow from their starting backcourt. Historical matchups show Miami forward Grant Henson routinely giving Ball State defenders trouble in the paint, adding more pressure to a Cardinals squad hungry to improve its positioning for postseason contention now that both teams have played well over 41 games. Considering recent form and the potential payoff, Miami (OH) stands as the more reliable pick for this heated clash.

Ball State enters this matchup with a 7-10-14-16 record and a frustrating three-game losing skid, compounded by a nagging ankle issue for one of their key starters that could sap defensive intensity. Meanwhile, Miami (OH), sporting a 13-4-22-8 mark, rides a confident two-game winning streak and boasts guard Nate Howard, whose history of scoring outbursts against the Cardinals should raise concerns for Ball State’s already shaky perimeter defense. As both squads lean on their high-tempo attacks, look for a spirited offensive duel that pushes the total beyond the 149.5 threshold. The Over pick earns a B+ rating for a strong likelihood of hitting with a solid cash return if it connects.