The No. 11 Loyola Chicago Ramblers (28-5) battle against the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (22-9) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at American Airlines Center. The Ramblers opened as a 1.5-point underdog. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 134.5 points and action begins at 3:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Miami Hurricanes Betting Odds
In their last game, the Hurricanes were beaten by the 12th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, 82-65, while the Ramblers defeated the Illinois State Redbirds, 65-49.
Loyola Chicago played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.226 (matching their season average) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.500 (below their season average of 0.581). For those same stats, Illinois State recorded marks of 0.030 and 0.356, respectively. Miami, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 9.6 (better than their season average of 14.7). Miami was lifted by Anthony Lawrence II, who finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Donte Ingram was a key piece for Loyola Chicago with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Points at the line could be scarce for Miami in this matchup. The Hurricanes rank 325th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.193, while Loyola Chicago ranks 15th in FTA rate allowed (0.176).
Ramblers games tend to go under the total (58.6 percent). Loyola Chicago heads into the contest with records of 28-5 straight up (SU) and 20-9 against the spread (ATS).
Games featuring the Hurricanes have no tendency in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Miami has a phenomenal 22-9 SU record, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (10-15-1 ATS).
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Miami Hurricanes ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Loyola Chicago, ATS Winner – Loyola Chicago, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Loyola Chicago ranks 43rd in assists per game (15.8) while Miami ranks 164th (13.3).
- The Hurricanes average 6.5 steals per game, which ranks 102nd in the NCAA. The Ramblers rank 144th in steals allowed per game (6.4).
- Miami averages 4.0 blocks per game, which ranks 72nd in the NCAA. Loyola Chicago ranks 88th in blocks allowed per game (3.1).
- The Ramblers rank 13th in rebounds allowed per game (30.7) while the Hurricanes rank 127th (34.2).
- Miami ranks 156th in three pointers attempted per game (21.6) while Loyola Chicago ranks 251st (18.7).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Ramblers have scored an average of 64.8 points per game (7.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 54.0 points per game (8.2 below their season average).
- The Hurricanes have been outscored by an average of 1.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Miami has defeated opponents by an average of 6.1 points.
