Bust out those dancing shoes, and let the madness begin with the annual NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Let’s examine some odds, predictions, best bets, and promotions for a matchup that some upset chasers might be targeting in the Midwest region: (3) Creighton Bluejays vs (14) Akron Zips.
📈 Creighton vs. Akron Odds
Creighton-Akron lines are current as of Thursday, 9 a.m. ET, at BetMGM Sportsbook:
- Moneyline: Creighton (-900) • Akron (+575)
- Spread: Creighton -11.5 (-115) • Akron +11.5 (-105)
- Total Points: Over 142.5 (-115) • Under 142.5 (-105)
Creighton enters this contest as a whopping 12.5-point favorite, boasting one of the most talented rosters in the Midwest Region.
The game total for this one is 141.5, meaning professional oddsmakers and sportsbooks anticipate a fairly high-scoring matchup between the Bluejays and Zips.
Led by 7-foot-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner, Creighton is a towering, well-disciplined, and structured program gearing up for a long run at this year’s dance. In addition, the Bluejays are an excellent shooting team, currently ranked 12th in the country in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency (points scored per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponent): 120.1, per KenPom.
Have a look at the best March Madness betting promos for Creighton vs Akron.
Creighton vs. Akron Prediction
Creighton 81, Akron 63
After coming within a single basket of a berth in the Final Four last season, Greg McDermott’s team will want to get off to a flying start at this year’s tournament.
The 2023-24 campaign saw the Bluejays sport a terrific 23-9 (.718) overall record en route to a third-place finish in the Big East behind UConn and Marquette.
As a team, Creighton is athletic, extremely well-coached, and surgical on the offensive end of the floor. According to KenPom, it ranks 11th in the nation in Adjusted Efficiency Margin (+23.40).
This metric is particularly important because it accounts for their net efficiency, adjusted for the strength of opponent and location (home/away/neutral) across all games played, signifying their dominance in the Big East this past season.
Look for Creighton to come out flying and ultimately cruise to victory in what could be one of the most emphatic statement wins of the First Round.
Creighton vs. Akron Best Bet
Creighton -11.5 (-115) • BetMGM Sportsbook
Our best bet wager will target Creighton to cover the point spread. Be sure to check out our March Madness odds before the opening tip-off.
After dancing their way to the Elite 8 in 2023, Creighton has continued their linear ascent in college basketball this season.
As a team, Creighton is a solid offensive team, ranking 23rd in the country in Team Points Per Game (80.5), 14th in Shooting Percentage (48.6%), and fifth in True Shooting Percentage (120.1%), per NCAAB Team Rankings.
When you factor in their superiority from the perimeter, Creighton should be able to physically impose its will against a far inferior Akron team. According to KenPom, Akron currently ranks 97th in the nation in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (102.1).
💰Creighton vs. Akron Betting Promos
BetMGM Creighton-Akron March Madness Promo
BetMGM Sportsbook has one of the best March Madness betting promos. The self-proclaimed “King of Sportsbooks” currently offers a Bet & Get promo that provides new users $150 in bonus bets on your first wager (win or lose).
To take advantage of this offer, sign up using the bonus code LWOS and make your first deposit of at least $10.
Whether your first bet is counted as a win or loss, BetMGM will add $150 in bonus bets to your account, split between three $50 tokens.
Given how you get a bonus even if you lose, I would target a longshot $5 wager on Akron ML (+600).
DraftKings Creighton-Akron March Madness Promo
DraftKings Sportsbook currently offers a “no-sweat first bet,” meaning first-time bettors only have to deposit a minimum of $5 and bet a single dollar to qualify.
As previously mentioned, Kalkbrenner’s point prop is currently listed at 17.5 ahead of Thursday’s contest, which the three-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year has exceeded in three of his past four games.
For a player who averaged a career-high 33.9 Minutes Per Game, look for Kalkbrenner to exceed his point prop at an enticing (-115) price point.
bet365 Creighton-Akron March Madness Promo
Bet365 Sportsbook possesses some stellar bonus promos ahead of the NCAA Tournament. You can bet $5 to receive $150 bonus bets or choose the $1,000 first-time safety net bet. The wager must be at least $5 or more to qualify for the first offer.
In lieu of this offer, prospective bettors can target the Over on Creighton guard Baylor Scheierman’s assist prop, currently set at 3.5, a figure he has surpassed in two of his past three contests.
How To Claim Creighton vs. Akron March Madness Betting Promos
Follow these steps to activate Creighton-Akron betting bonuses for the NCAA Tournament:
- Click one of the links on this page and head to a sportsbook.
- Enter your name, address, and other pertinent information.
- Create a strong, unique password for your account.
- Enter the promo code (if necessary).
- Make your first deposit.
- Choose your desired promo (if necessary).
- Place your desired bet.
- Once your bet has settled, you will receive your bonus as long as you’ve met the necessary requirements.
