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Even though the all-time series between the 17th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes and Akron Zips dates back to 1906, the teams have met only eight times. Ohio State has dominated, winning seven of the matchups -- including a 72-63 overtime victory in their most recent meeting in the first round of the 2016 NIT. The Buckeyes look to continue their supremacy when they host the Zips on Tuesday in the 2021-22 season opener for both squads.

Tipoff from Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio is set for 6 p.m. ET. The Buckeyes are 16.5-point favorites in the latest Ohio State vs. Akron odds at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over-under for total points scored is 141. Before making any Akron vs. Ohio State picks, make sure you check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model. 

The model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of $2,200 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Ohio State vs. Akron and just revealed its CBB picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college basketball odds and betting lines for Akron vs. Ohio State:

  • Ohio State vs. Akron spread: Buckeyes -16.5 
  • Ohio State vs. Akron over-under: 141 points 
  • Ohio State vs. Akron money line: Buckeyes -1400, Zips +800
  • OSU: The Buckeyes are 1-5 against the spread in their last six games as favorites 
  • AKR: The Zips are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 overall contests

Why Ohio State can cover

Two of the three Buckeyes who averaged double digits in points last season are back, including E.J. Liddell. The junior forward was second on the team in scoring in 2020-21 with 16.2 points per game and also pulled down a club-high 6.7 rebounds. Liddell, who was named one of Ohio State's four captains, has averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 boards over his first two seasons.

Also selected as a team captain, Justice Sueing returns after scoring 10.7 points per contest last campaign. The senior forward was one of only two players to start all 31 games for the Buckeyes in 2020-21, his first season with the squad after spending two at California. Sueing recorded four double-doubles last campaign and saved one of his best performances for final of the Big Ten tournament, scoring a season-high 22 points in Ohio State's 91-88 overtime loss to Illinois.

Why Akron can cover

The Zips have eight players returning from the 2020-21 team that posted a 15-8 overall record and a 12-6 mark in the Mid-American Conference. They are 74-46 all-time in season openers, 12-5 since 2004-05 and 4-0 under coach John Groce. With Loren Christian Jackson (22.3 points) gone, Bryan Trimble is Akron's top returning scorer as he averaged 12 points per game last campaign.

The junior guard also topped the Zips from long distance, converting a team-high 74-of-186 attempts from 3-point range in his first season after transferring from St. John's. Enrique Freeman was named to the MAC All-Defensive Team last season after leading the conference in blocked shots (1.9). The sophomore forward was second in the MAC in rebounds (9.2) and grabbed a career-high 21 against Malone University on Dec. 19, the most by a Zip since 1985.

How to make Ohio State vs. Akron picks

SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, suggesting a total of five players score 13 or more points. It also says one side of the spread is hitting over 60 percent of the time. You can only get the model's Ohio State vs. Akron pick at SportsLine.

So who wins Akron vs. Ohio State? And which side of the spread cashes in over 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Ohio State vs. Akron spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that is up $2,200 on its top-rated college basketball spread picks over the last five years, and find out.