The Loyola Chicago Ramblers and Wright State Raiders will go head-to-head at Joseph J. Gentile Center to begin the new season. Loyola Chicago is a 13-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 142.5 points. Action begins at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, November 10, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
Wright State Raiders vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers Odds Preview
Last season, Wright State did not make the tournament following a 20-12 regular season. Loyola Chicago also did not make the tournament after an 18-14 regular season.
Second-chance opportunities could be few and far between for Loyola Chicago in this showdown. The Ramblers ranked 334th in offensive rebounding percentage (22.0 percent), while Wright State ranked 56th in defensive rebounding percentage (73.8 percent) in the 2016-17 season. Moreover, the Raiders ranked 312th in turnover percentage (20.8 percent), while the Ramblers ranked 38th in opponents’ turnover percentage (21.3 percent).
The Raiders had a respectable 20-12 straight up (SU) record last season, but struggled covering the spread (15-15 against the spread (ATS)). Games including Wright State have typically gone over the O/U total (63.3 percent).
The Ramblers, on the other hand, were 18-14 SU and 17-11 ATS last season. Of Loyola Chicago’s 28 games that accepted bets last year, 17 finished over the projected point total.
The Ramblers won the sole contest against the Raiders last season, 77-64. The Ramblers played a nearly flawless game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.292 and a phenomenal effective field goal percentage of 0.656. The Raiders recorded marks of 0.183 and 0.442, respectively, for those same stats.
Wright State Raiders at Loyola Chicago Ramblers Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Loyola Chicago, ATS Winner – Wright State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Ramblers rank 238th in blocks per game (2.4) while the Raiders rank 243rd (2.3).
- Loyola Chicago ranks 34th in three pointers allowed per game (18.2) while Wright State ranks 225th (22.4).
- The Raiders rank 172nd in rebounds per game (35.5) while the Ramblers rank 299th (31.3).
- Loyola Chicago averages 6.8 steals per game, which ranks 85th in the nation. Wright State ranks 197th in steals allowed per game (6.8).