Buffalo Bulls vs Ball State Cardinals

This NCAAB matchup features Buffalo Bulls (15-10 (6-6)) traveling to take on Ball State Cardinals (8-16 (5-5)) at Worthen Arena, Muncie, IN. The Buffalo hold a clear statistical edge this season, outperforming the Ball State by 9.3 points per game in scoring margin. That differential will be a key factor in this matchup. On offense, Ball State averages 71.7 points per game, which exceeds what the Buffalo defense typically allows (71.0 PPG). That mismatch could give the home side opportunities to exploit. The Buffalo offense puts up 77.0 PPG and faces a Ball State defense allowing 75.0 PPG. The visitors have the offensive firepower to stay in this one. Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Ball State will look to leverage their home crowd. Our model sees this as essentially a coin-flip game, projecting just a 2.9-point margin. Expect a tight finish. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Ball State winning by 10 to losing by 15. Our model aligns closely with the market on this one, suggesting the oddsmakers have priced this game efficiently. Look for small edges in the total and moneyline markets to capitalize on any remaining value.

Ball State has struggled this season at 8-16 (5-5). The wins have been hard to come by, and the team is looking for answers on both ends of the floor. Home court advantage will be critical for any chance at pulling off an upset. Buffalo sits at 15-10 (6-6) on the season. They've been competitive in most outings but have had their share of inconsistent performances. On the road, they'll need to bring their best effort to come away with a win. When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.