Akron vs. Creighton Picks, Odds, Starting Lineups For the 2024 March Madness Round of 64
The Akron Zips will take on the Creighton Bluejays on Thursday afternoon in Pittsburgh to help start off the Round of 64. Can Enrique Freeman and the Zips keep it close with Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Bluejays? Let's take a look at the latest odds and starting lineups for Akron vs. Creighton in the Round of 64.
Peter Alexis - March 21, 2024, 9:00 AM EDT
5 minAkron vs. Creighton Picks, Odds, Starting Lineups For the 2024 March Madness Round of 64
The 2024 March Madness bracket is set, and was released on Sunday night to the masses. The First Four matchups have wrapped up, and it's time for the real action to get underway on Thursday afternoon when the Creighton Bluejays take on the Akron Zips.
Creighton wowed as a 6-seed last year, going all the way to the Elite Eight, and falling one point short of the Final Four at the hands of eventual runner-up San Diego State. The Bluejays have reloaded and are back for more, this time with a top-3 seed. They've earned their way here, and hold the best victory of the season over top-ranked UConn who they dismantled by 20 points in February.
The Akron Zips are back in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, arriving with an identical 24-10 record to their previous showing in 2022. They came up just short in a 4-point loss to UCLA as a 13-seed that time, and will look for a similar fight as the 14 this time around.
Let's take a look at the latest odds for Akron vs. Creighton, and examine their starting lineups for the Round of 64 battle in Pittsburgh.
Akron vs. Creighton Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds
- Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
- Start Time: 1:30 pm ET
- Where to Watch: TNT
Click here for Akron vs. Creighton odds
Akron vs. Creighton Odds and Betting Data
Team | Spread | Moneyline | Implied Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
Akron Zips | +12.5 (-110) | +575 | 14.8% |
Creighton Bluejays | -12.5 (-110) | -850 | 89.5% |
The field is set and the odds have been released for every opening matchup. Creighton and Akron will be the third game to tip off on Thursday afternoon, and this one is sure to be an exciting battle between two veteran squads.
Creighton is a solid 12-point favorite in this matchup, but was originally sitting higher at 13.5 at the beginning of the week. The Bluejays are feeling good as a 3-seed, but can't get complacent against a feisty and experienced Akron group.
Creighton's spread gives them -850 odds on the moneyline to get a win and advance. This implies a 89.5% chance to win and advance to the Round of 32, and they'll expect big games from Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander in this first contest.
On the other side, Akron faces an uphill battle with +575 odds. They hold just a 14.8% chance to upset the Bluejays, and with a spread this sizable, they have their work cut out for them. Enrique Freeman and Ali Ali will try to shock the world with an underdog victory for the Zips.
Akron vs. Creighton Prediction
The Creighton Bluejays have turned in an impressive season, and have been cooking down the stretch. They won seven of their last eight games before falling in the Big East Tournament to Providence in a game where they trailed nearly the entire time. They have experience from last year's run, and added a new prolific scorer in Steven Ashworth. By all accounts, they have the makings of another deep campaign, but will they be able to bounce back quickly?
Akron is looking like an increasingly sharp side as the week goes on. After sitting as high as a 13.5-point underdog where I initially grabbed it, the Zips have fallen down as low as 12-point favorites on some books as tip approaches. Creighton has been circulating as a public darling due to their veteran talent and their classification as one of the top-7 efficiency teams that can win March Madness according to historical KenPom rankings.
The Bluejays are receiving 67% of the bets, but less than 50% of the total handle. Akron is down at just 33% of total bets, but are getting a nearly 20% jump in money. We'll rock with that sharp side every time as the line continues to fall. The Zips have tournament experience of their own, and are looking to avenge that 2022 game that slipped away from them in a 4-point loss. Creighton has their eyes set on a big run after being a bucket away from the Final Four last year, but they need to make sure they don't overlook their first opponent. Back Akron to keep this close and surprise the unassuming Bluejays.
Akron vs. Creighton Prediction: Akron +13 (-110) (Bet $110 to collect $210) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Akron vs. Creighton Projected Lineups
Akron projected lineup:
- F: Enrique Freeman
- F: Sammy Hunter
- G: Ali Ali
- G: Nate Johnson
- G: Greg Tribble
Creighton projected lineup:
- F: Mason Miller
- C: Ryan Kalkbrenner
- G: Steven Ashworth
- G: Baylor Scheierman
- G: Trey Alexander
Akron March Madness Odds
The Akron Zips have a slim to zero chance of winning the NCAA Tournament. They are currently listed back at +100000 to win it all, that's five zeros. They may have a chance to pull out a victory or two, but going much further is out of the question.
Creighton March Madness Odds
The Creighton Bluejays have decent odds to win it all, sitting with the ninth-best odds overall at +2500. They came close last year reaching the Elite Eight, but fell just short by a point against eventual runner-up San Diego State. This team has unfinished business and is loaded with veterans. If they are able to survive this early scare, they have the pieces and experience to run the table.
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