Western Michigan + over Ohio

Despite shooting 50 percent overall and from three-point range with ten long-range hits Ohio lost badly to Western Michigan in the regular season. Rebounding was a key edge for the Broncos and it should be again in today's match-up in the MAC tournament. Although Ohio will have the more favorable venue this time around with the games being played in Cleveland, this should be a sparsely attended affair on day one of the tournament with none of the top teams in the conference in action. The Bobcats went 2-14 S/U in road and neutral games this season and only one of those wins came after November. Western Michigan also had lousy performances away from home but did win twice in MAC play on the road and played respectably in several challenging non-conference games away from home. The spread records for both of these teams are horrendous but this is a horribly difficult situation for Ohio as it will essentially be a third straight road game. Ohio lost badly on the road twice last week while Western Michigan closed the season with two encouraging efforts, losing by just three to Central Michigan and beating Ball State. Western Michigan should have huge advantages on the defensive end in this match-up and the offense will get extra opportunities with a likely edge on the boards. Ohio features a superior overall record but there is no legitimate indication that they are the better team as Western Michigan has been more competitive of late and will be catching points.