Creighton vs. Akron: NCAA Tournament First Round Betting Preview, Tips And Picks – March 21, 2024

Written By PlayPicks Staff on March 18, 2024

In the first round of the NCAA tournament on Thursday, the Creighton Bluejays (23-9) will face the Akron Zips (24-10), with Baylor Scheierman and Enrique Freeman the key players to watch. Tipoff at PPG Paints Arena will be at 1:30 PM ET. The Bluejays are currently substantial 12-point favorites over the Zips. The over/under is 143 points for the game.

Creighton vs. Akron Betting Lines

Creighton vs Akron Betting Information
Favorite Spread Total
Creighton -12 143 points

Computer Picks

Spread Pick Akron (+12)
Total Pick Over (143)

Predictions are calculated by a data-driven algorithm (raw power score) that ranks head-to-head matchup results within a closed network of games. Prediction confidence is determined by the delta between each team’s raw power score. Ready to put your picks to the test for this matchup? Check out DraftKings Sportsbook and sign up using our link for the best first-time depositor bonus!

Creighton vs. Akron Stat Rankings

Creighton Avg. (Rank) Akron Avg. (Rank)
80.5 (32nd) Points Scored 74.0 (165th)
69.7 (103rd) Points Allowed 65.9 (24th)
(1st) Rebounds (1st)
7.6 (284th) Off. Rebounds 8.8 (188th)
10.6 (6th) 3pt Made 7.7 (143rd)
17.1 (16th) Assists 12.6 (216th)
9.8 (57th) Turnovers 10.3 (91st)

Creighton vs. Akron Betting Trends

  • Against the spread, the Bluejays are 16-15-1 this year.
  • Creighton’s ATS record as 12-point favorites or more is 8-3.
  • This year, 16 of the Bluejays’ 32 games have hit the over.
  • A total of 21 times so far this season, Creighton and its opponent have combined to score more than 143 points.
  • The point total average for Bluejays games this season is 150.3, 7.3 points higher than the over/under for this matchup.
  • Akron has 15 wins in 32 games against the spread this year.
  • There have been 16 Creighton’s games (out of 32) that went over the total this year.
  • There have been 12 Zips games this year with more than 143 points scored.
  • Games involving Akron this year have averaged 139.9 points per game, a 3.1-point differential when compared to the over/under for this contest.

Best Betting Site For Creighton vs. Akron

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Creighton Impact Players

  • Scheierman posts 18.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest — both team highs. He is also posting 4.0 assists, shooting 44.8% from the field and 37.2% from downtown with 3.1 made 3-pointers per game.
  • Ryan Kalkbrenner is putting up 17.1 points, 1.3 assists and 7.4 rebounds per contest.
  • Trey Alexander puts up a team-high 4.8 assists per game. He is also averaging 17.6 points and 5.7 rebounds, shooting 45.6% from the floor and 32.7% from beyond the arc with 1.7 made 3-pointers per contest.
  • Steven Ashworth averages 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest. Defensively, he averages 0.5 steals and 0.0 blocked shots.
  • Mason Miller averages 5.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.4 assists per contest. Defensively, he puts up 0.2 steals and 0.1 blocked shots.

Akron Impact Players

  • Freeman tops the Zips in scoring (18.7 points per game) and rebounding (12.7), and averages 1.5 assists. He also puts up 0.8 steals and 1.8 blocked shots.
  • Ali Ali leads the Zips in assists (2.8 per game), and produces 15.6 points and 4.1 rebounds. He also delivers 0.5 steals and 0.2 blocked shots.
  • Greg Tribble is posting 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest, making 46.0% of his shots from the field.
  • The Zips get 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game from Sammy Hunter.
  • Shammah Scott is averaging 5.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per contest, making 37.9% of his shots from the floor.

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