Central Michigan vs. Toledo Predictions, Odds, Picks for College Basketball

The Central Michigan Chippewas (6-8, 0-2 MAC) play the Toledo Rockets (8-6, 2-0 MAC) on Friday night. It’s time to continue our college basketball odds series with the prediction and selection of Central Michigan-Toledo.

Here are Central Michigan-Toledo College basketball oddscourtesy of FanDuel

College basketball odds: Central Michigan-Toledo odds

Central Michigan: +4.5 (-104)

Moneiline: +168

Toledo: -4.5 (-118)

Moneilines: -205

Over: 151.5 (-118)

Under: 151.5 (-104)

How to watch Central Michigan vs. Toledo

Time: 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT

TV: CBSSN

*Watch college basketball LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why Central Michigan will cover the spread/win

Central Michigan has a chance to score some points Friday night. Toledo is allowing 77.9 points per game, second most in the MAC. Toledo also allows the third-highest field goal percentage and sixth-highest three-point percentage in the MAC. The Rockets will allow teams to grab plenty of offensive rebounds and plenty of shots. Central Michigan needs to hit its shots in this game. If they can do that, they will be able to get their first win in the conference.

The Chippewas let Akron carry them pretty easily, but held Ohio to just 57 points. Those are two of the better teams in the conference, so they weren’t easy games for Central Michigan. I would expect Central Michigan to have a better defensive game than it did against Akron. They allow the second fewest points per game in the MAC and the third lowest field goal percentage. They also do a great job staying out of trouble. If the Chippewas can have a good defensive game, they will be able to win this game.

Why Toledo will cover the spread/win

Toledo is 2-0 in conference play this season. Both Eastern and Western Michigan won. Both of those games were close, but the Rockets won them with their offense. Toledo scored 76 and 90 points respectively in those two victories. They also shot the ball well while getting to the free throw line well. In fact, Toledo shoots the second most free throws per game in the MAC. If Toledo can play well offensively, they will be in good shape to go undefeated in the MAC.

Central Michigan has just two wins against Division I teams this season. They beat four non-Division 1 teams, which doesn’t carry much weight when it comes to facing conference opponents. The Chippewas have lost their last six games against Division I opponents. In those six games, Central Michigan has allowed 80.3 points per game while they are scoring just 61.3. That’s a difference of 20 points. Central Michigan isn’t playing good basketball right now, and that doesn’t appear to be changing anytime soon. Expect Toledo to have good play on both ends of the floor Friday night.

Sonny Wilson and Sam Lewis are two players to watch. They are averaging 29.9 points per game together, with Wilson scoring slightly more than Lewis. Both can knock down their shots from beyond the arc as well. One of these two players has been the leading scorer in 11 of Toledo’s 14 games this season. In six of those games, the leading scorer had at least 20 points. These are two solid players, and if they can continue to play well, Toledo will have a chance to cover the spread.

Central Michigan-Toledo Final Prediction and Pick

Toledo is simply playing better basketball in the conference right now. I will take Rockets to cover the spread at home.

Final Central Michigan-Toledo Prediction and Pick: Toledo -4.5 (-118)