The Loyola Chicago Ramblers and the Ohio State Buckeyes have one of the most intriguing matchups in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Only one will advance, so expect an incredibly intense showdown this Friday in Pittsburgh. Check out our preview below of this Loyola Chicago-Ohio State 2022 March Madness first-round tussle.
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Betting Preview for the Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA College Basketball Game on March 18 2022
Where: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
When: Friday, March 18, 2022, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Loyola Chicago Ramblers (odds) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (odds) – view all 2022 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (odds)
Record: 25-7 Overall/13-5 Conference
What do you know, Sister Jean is coming back to bless March Madness with her presence. Hopefully for her and the Ramblers, they can go deep in the tournament again just like Loyola Chicago did in 2018 as an 11-seed that made its way all the way to the Final Four. Loyola Chicago will be relying on its defense to help the team succeed. The Ramblers are 22nd in the nation with only 93.2 points allowed per 100 possessions and 18th in scoring defense with just 62.1 points surrendered per contest. There is also plenty of experience on the Ramblers roster which could help calm the team’s nerves in high-pressure moments of March Madness. This is a team that also held the Auburn Tigers to only 62 points, albeit in a loss on Nov. 25. Offensively, the Ramblers can get it done from deep, shooting 38 percent from deep – 16th nationally –and owning a 56.3 effective field goal percentage.
Loyola Chicago is 4-1 agains the spread in its last five games overall.
Betting on the Ohio State Buckeyes (odds)
Record: 19-11 Overall/12-8 Conference
The Buckeyes are out to redeem themselves from an early exit in the 2021 NCAA Tournament in which they got toppled by Oral Roberts. This time, Ohio State still has the services of EJ Liddell, easily one of the best players in the nation and a potential first-round pick in this year’s NBA Draft. The Buckeyes are having trouble of late in collecting wins, going just 1-4 straight up in their last five games, they are going to be a tough customer for the Ramblers. Ohio State is still a team that has defeated the likes of the Duke Blue Devils, Wisconsin Badgers, Michigan Wolverines, Indiana Hoosiers, and Illinois Fighting Illini. It’s just a matter of getting back to their top form for the Buckeyes, whose offense is 13th nationally with 116.6 points per 100 possessions.
The Over is 12-5 in Ohio State’s last 17 NCAA Tournament contests.
Writer’s Prediction
Loyola Chicago wins, 66-64.
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