Akron vs. Miami (OH) Pick and Prediction for Saturday, January 3, 2026

The battle for Mid-American Conference supremacy reaches a boiling point this Saturday as the Akron Zips head to Millett Hall to face the undefeated Miami (OH) RedHawks at 3:30 PM ET.

This matchup features two of the highest-scoring teams in the nation. Miami (14-0, 2-0 MAC) is off to its best start in program history and is currently one of only six remaining unbeaten teams in Division I. Akron (10-3, 1-0 MAC), the defending conference champion and preseason favorite, enters on a two-game winning streak. Despite the RedHawks' perfect record, Akron is currently a narrow 2.5-point favorite, with a massive total of 177.5. College basketball is a great sport, but you can win a bundle if our free college basketball picks hit.

Akron’s high-octane offense and veteran core

Under head coach John Groce, the Zips have become an offensive juggernaut, ranking 2nd in the country in scoring at 97.1 PPG. Akron plays with elite efficiency, ranking 4th nationally in field goal percentage (53.2%) and 1st in assist-to-turnover ratio.

The team is led by senior guard Tavari Johnson, who is having an All-American caliber season. Johnson leads the Zips with 20.5 PPG and 5.1 APG, recently eclipsing the 1,000-point career milestone. He is supported by a deep rotation including Evan Mahaffey (18 points in his last outing) and Amani Lyles, who provides an interior presence with 6.5 RPG. Akron's ability to share the ball (21.1 assists per game) makes them incredibly difficult to defend for a full 40 minutes.

Undefeated RedHawks chasing history

Miami (OH) is currently the "Cinderella" story of the MAC. The RedHawks are not just winning; they are doing so with historic efficiency. They currently rank 1st in the nation in effective field goal percentage (64.3%) and three-point percentage (43.6%).

The RedHawks' balanced attack is led by Brant Byers (14.6 PPG) and senior Peter Suder (13.5 PPG). Their depth is their greatest strength, as seven different players have recorded a 20-point game this season. Miami has also extended its home winning streak to 22 games, just one shy of the school record. For the RedHawks, this game is about more than just a win; it’s about proving their undefeated record isn't a fluke against the conference's gold standard.

Spread pick for Akron vs. Miami (OH)

• Akron -2.5 (-110)

While Miami is undefeated and playing at home, there is a reason the Zips are favored. Akron has won 11 of the last 12 meetings between these two programs, including a buzzer-beater win in last year's MAC Championship. The Zips' experience in high-leverage games and their superior assist-to-turnover ratio give them the edge in what should be a back-and-forth affair. Expect Tavari Johnson to be the difference-maker late in the second half.

Total pick for Akron vs. Miami (OH)

• Under 177.5 (-110)

A total of 177.5 is astronomical for a college basketball game, even for two teams that average over 90 points. While both offenses are elite, conference play often brings a heightened level of defensive intensity and scouting. In their last three meetings, the average total was significantly lower. With both teams likely to experience a slight shooting regression in a high-pressure environment, the Under is the safer play on such a massive number.