- Matchup: Toledo Rockets vs Akron Zips
- Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
- Venue: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
- Broadcast: ESPN2
- Betting Odds: Akron favored by 8 points
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This Saturday, the Toledo Rockets (18-14) will challenge the Akron Zips (27-5) in the MAC Tournament Final at Rocket Arena. Toledo enters this matchup as 8-point underdogs, with the over/under set at 163.5 points.
In their previous game, the Toledo Rockets secured a narrow victory against Bowling Green with a final score of 77-76. Toledo recorded 14 fouls to Bowling Green’s 14 and hit 5 of 17 attempts from beyond the arc. Bowling Green struggled at the free-throw line, making only 11 of 19 attempts for a 57.9% success rate. In total, Bowling Green secured 25 rebounds (6 offensive, 19 defensive) but did not record any blocks. They managed 15 assists and 8 steals. Defensively, Toledo allowed their opponents to shoot 52.6% from the field on 30 of 57 attempts. The Rockets notched 11 assists, forced 11 turnovers, and achieved 7 steals while collecting 30 rebounds (10 offensive). At the free-throw line, Toledo converted 7 of 13 attempts, achieving a rate of 53.8%. Overall, Toledo finished with a field goal percentage of 50.8% (31 of 61) and made 8 of 16 three-point attempts.
Leroy Blyden Jr. was pivotal in this game, achieving an impressive 80.0% shooting rate with 23 points on 8 of 10 shooting. He played for 33 minutes, contributing 2 assists and 6 rebounds to his team’s efforts.
Toledo’s season record stands at 18-14. The team averages 10.1 turnovers per game and commits 14.8 fouls. As a unit, the Rockets average 34.1 rebounds per game, totaling 510 assists throughout the season, ranking them 73rd in Division 1 basketball. They hit 36.4% of their three-point attempts (229 out of 629) and boast a free-throw percentage of 76.3%. Toledo is scoring an average of 81.3 points per game (ranking 63rd in Division 1) while shooting 48.7% from the field.
Defensively, the Rockets force 12.7 turnovers per game and are called for 16.6 fouls. They allow 34.5% shooting from three-point range and rank 257th in the nation for points allowed per game at 76.8. Toledo’s opponents have a field goal percentage of 47.1%, totaling 920 made shots out of 1,953 attempts, and they surrender an average of 34.8 rebounds per game. They rank 286th in Division 1 for assists allowed with 476 conceded this season.
In their last game, the Akron Zips pulled out a win against Buffalo, finishing with a score of 73-70. Akron allowed Buffalo to secure 28 rebounds overall (3 offensive). They shot 37.0% from three-point territory, hitting 10 of 27 attempts, and made 10 out of 20 free throws for a 50.0% conversion rate. Buffalo managed to shoot 25 out of 54 from the floor, achieving a 46.3% shooting percentage. Akron finished the game shooting 27 of 59 from the field for a percentage of 45.8%. From beyond the arc, Akron netted 8 of 24 attempts (33.3%). They successfully converted on 11 attempts from the free-throw line for a rate of 61.1%. Buffalo committed 17 fouls, sending the Zips to the foul line for 18 attempts. The Zips also forced 10 turnovers while achieving 9 steals and collected 36 rebounds (26 defensive, 10 offensive).
Tavari Johnson played a crucial role for the Zips in this game, sinking 8 of 16 shots for a 50.0% field goal percentage, along with 2 rebounds. He tallied 25 points in his 38 minutes on the court, also contributing 2 assists.
Akron holds a record of 27-5 this season. The team commits 15.8 fouls per game and converts 76.6% of their free throws. They average an impressive 18.8 assists per game (6th in college basketball) and turn the ball over an average of 11.1 times per game. Akron has scored a total of 2,850 points this season, averaging 89.1 points per game, and grabs 38.1 rebounds each game. As an offensive team, Akron is noted for their overall shooting percentage of 50.6%, placing them 9th nationally.
Defensively, Akron concedes 35.0% on three-pointers (302 of 863) and their opponents succeed 71.7% on free throws. They allow an average of 13.3 assists and 32.7 rebounds per game, ranking 179th and 78th in the nation, respectively. Akron’s defense is positioned 175th in Division 1, allowing an average of 73.6 points per game. They are effective in forcing 13.8 turnovers each game, limiting opposing teams to shoot 42.4% from the field (77th in college basketball).
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Prediction: Take Akron (-8)
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