Loyola Chicago vs. Northern Iowa Prediction and Odds (Bet Ramblers to go to MVC Final)
By Reed Wallach
'Arch Madness' is in for a doozy on Saturday.
Loyola Chicago and Northern Iowa meet in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Semifinals in a matchup between arguably the two best teams. These teams played a thrilling overtime game last weekend at Northern Iowa that saw the Panthers win 102-96.
That games got UNI the No. 1 seed in the MVC tourney, but they must go through the Ramblers in order to get to the Finals and potentially the NCAA Tournament. Here are the odds for this marquee matchup from WynnBET Sportsbook:
Loyola Chicago vs. Northern Iowa Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Loyola Chicago: -4 (-110)
- Northern Iowa: +4 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Loyola Chicago: -190
- Northern Iowa: +155
Total: 139.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Loyola Chicago vs. Northern Iowa Prediction and Pick
These two played last week in a game that closed with Loyola Chicago favored by 2 points on the road. When keeping in mind that home court advantage is typically three points, that would say that the Ramblers are a 5-point chalk on a neutral floor.
While some may say a adjustment is in order after the Panthers win last weekend, I disagree to an extent. Northern Iowa took 42 trips to the free throw line in that home victory, 22 more than the Ramblers, who were also down defensive leader Marquise Kennedy.
Kennedy is back in the lineup, and looked great in the Ramblers blowout victory over a formidable Bradley club on Friday. Loyola Chicago's ability to win off the bounce and score inside (best 2-point percentage in the MVC) against Northern Iowa's middling defense will prove to be the difference on Saturday.
The game may be closer than the first meeting that saw Loyola Chicago win by 27 at home, I still see them as the superior side. I'll play this up to -5.
PICK: Loyola Chicago -4, play to -5
All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 85-79-3 for +1.35 units.