Loyola-Chicago is a sexy pick by many Cinderella-hunting bracket challenge players, but can the Ramblers deliver a win against Miami this Thursday? Read on for a preview of this matchup below. Register here to make your pick.
Betting Preview for the Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs Miami Hurricanes College Basketball Game on March 16, 2018
Where: American Airlines Center
When: Friday, March 16, 3:10PM EST
Line: Loyola Chicago Ramblers () vs Miami Hurricanes () – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: TRU
Betting on the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (28-5)
The Ramblers may be the underdog in the matchup with Miami, but they are riding huge momentum into the tournament – and sometimes, that’s all a team needs to become a Cinderella. If Loyola-Chicago is to hail a pumpkin ride, it has to show flash its fangs on defense. The Ramblers surrender just 62.0 points per game with opponents shooting just 41.3 percent from the field against them. They have a nice mix of youth and experience too as Loyola-Chicago has five freshmen and five seniors. According to KenPom, the Ramblers present a 25th-ranked defense in terms of adjusted defensive efficiency. Not only that, on offense, they shoot 50.6 percent from the field and 40.0 from beyond the arc. The Ramblers are dangerous. Just ask Florida, which the Ramblers beat in Gainesville in December, 65-59.
Betting on the Miami Hurricanes (22-9)
Losing Bruce Brown Jr. to injury in January was a gut punch for the Hurricanes, but the team showed resiliency by going 4-1 SU in their last five games. Over that stretch, Lonnie Walker IV carried the team on his back and scored 14.0 points with a 42 percent shooting from the three-point area. The Hurricanes will have to wisely select their shots against the Ramblers’ tough defense but with Walker being an elite player, Miami at least has a go-to-guy it could expect to bail the Canes out of testy situations. Walker is averaging 11.5 points on the season, while Dewan Huell is right behind him with 11.4 PPG. Miami is averaging 74.2 points per game and makes 46.4 percent of their shots from the floor. Like Loyola-Chicago, the Canes know how a thing or two about disarming opponents’ offense. Miami is giving up 68.0 points per game
Writer’s Prediction
No upset. Miami beats Loyola-Chicago, 78-70.
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