The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (7-5) will travel to Palestra to clash against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (5-5). Action gets underway at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22, 2018, and can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers at Saint Joseph’s Hawks Betting Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Hawks beat the Old Dominion Monarchs 79-64, while the Ramblers dismantled the UMKC Kangaroos 76-45.
Loyola Chicago dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.189 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.623. For those same stats, UMKC was 0.088 and 0.351, respectively. The Hawks, on the other hand, had a much better free throw rate (0.315 vs. 0.113) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.574 vs. 0.460). Pierfrancesco Oliva played a key role for Saint Joseph’s with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Meanwhile, Loyola Chicago received a boost from Cooper Kaifes, who put up 19 points.
The Ramblers’ Marques Townes has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 0 points per game. Meanwhile, Charlie Brown has averaged 0 points during that same time frame for the Hawks.
Second-chance points might be hard to come by for Saint Joseph’s in this battle. The Hawks rank 336th in offensive rebounding percentage (21.4 percent), while Loyola Chicago ranks 45th in defensive rebounding percentage (79.5 percent). Moreover, the Ramblers rank 14th in effective field goal percentage (0.563), whereas the porous defense of the Hawks ranks 295th with an effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.533.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Saint Joseph’s Hawks Free Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Saint Joseph’s, ATS Winner – Saint Joseph’s, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Loyola Chicago ranks 73rd in three pointers allowed per game (20.5) while Saint Joseph’s ranks 250th (27.8).
- The Hawks rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Ramblers rank 113th (7.2).
- Saint Joseph’s ranks 45th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while Loyola Chicago ranks 82nd (3.9).
- The Ramblers rank 20th in rebounds allowed per game (30.9) while the Hawks rank 162nd (36.2).
- Loyola Chicago averages 15.3 assists per game, which ranks 58th in the country. Saint Joseph’s ranks 181st in assists allowed per game (15.0).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Ramblers have scored an average of 74.2 points per game (4.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 59.4 points per game (2.6 below their season average).
- The Hawks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, up from 2.6 for the season.
