Betsided

Loyola Chicago vs. Drake Prediction and Odds (Fire up Ramblers in Missouri Valley Conference Final)

By Ben Heisler

Guard Lucas Williamson has his Loyola Ramblers one game away from making the NCAA men's tournament with a win over Drake in the MVC Final Sunday.
Guard Lucas Williamson has his Loyola Ramblers one game away from making the NCAA men's tournament with a win over Drake in the MVC Final Sunday. / Quinn Harris/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers may have been a 4-seed, but the oddsmakers certainly didn't treat them as one.

The convincing favorites in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament look to make their way into the dance today with a win over the No. 3 seeded Drake Bulldogs in St. Louis.

The game will be nationally televised on CBS at 2 p.m. EST, giving both teams a great opportunity to showcase their talents to the country.

Who punches their ticket into the NCAA Tournament today? Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Loyola Chicago vs. Drake Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Loyola Chicago -5 (-110)
  • Drake +5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Loyola Chicago -230
  • Drake +190

Total:

  • 131.5 (-110)

Loyola Chicago vs. Drake Prediction and Pick

The Ramblers flat out locked in on the defensive side the ball, and I'd expect that to continue against a likely tired Drake bunch that stormed back against Missouri State in the MVC semifinals in overtime yesterday.

Since the Ramblers' uncharacteristic defensive meltdown in a 102-96 overtime loss to Northern Iowa back on Feb. 26, they've given up 50, 31, 50 and 43 points respectively in their four other games.

What's even more interesting is the 43 points given up came against the same Northern Iowa squad that they gave up 102 against just over a week ago! The Ramblers made critical adjustments after letting UNI go to the free throw line an astounding 42 times against them in the previous matchup to just 17 on Saturday.

The Ramblers under first year coach Drew Valentine still have a ton of talent, coming in 24th overall in the latest KenPom ratings. Despite a few hiccups during the regular season to cause them to be the No. 4 seed, they've always been the most dominant team in the conference, and will take care of business to get into the tournament this afternoon in a nationally televised game.

Plus, are you really going to bet against Sister Jean?

PICK: Loyola Chicago -5 (-110)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting plays in real-time HERE.

Home/College Basketball Predictions and Picks