Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State Prediction and Odds for NCAA Men's Tournament First Round
By Peter Dewey
The No. 10 Loyola Chicago Ramblers will take on the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes in the South Region’s first round of the NCAA Tournament.
These teams will tip off at 12:15 p.m. EST on Friday, March 18, and this is a game the oddsmakers at WynnBET think that the lower seed has the advantage:
Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Loyola Chicago -2 (-110)
- Ohio State +2 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Loyola Chicago: -135
- Ohio State: +112
Total:
- 133 (Over -110/Under -110)
Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State Betting Trends, Insights and Analysis
Loyola Chicago
- Regular Season Record: 25-7
- ATS Record:13-17-1
- Over/Under Record: 17-14
- SoS: 91st
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 110.9
- Defensive Efficiency: 93.2
- eFG%: 56.3%
- FT%: 71.8%
- 3PT%: 38%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: Sweet 16
- Odds to win National Championship: +10000
Ohio State
- Regular Season Record: 19-11
- ATS Record:15-15
- Over/Under Record: 18-12
- SoS: 15th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 116.6
- Defensive Efficiency: 100.8
- eFG%: 54.8%
- FT%: 76.0%
- 3PT%: 37.3%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: First Round
- Odds to win National Championship: +7500
Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State Prediction and Pick
The Buckeyes enter this game as losers of back-to-back contests, and they have struggled with injuries as well.
Loyola Chicago hasn’t been as dominant as in year’s past, but I’m kind of out on the Big Ten this season, as so many middling teams made the tournament, but I don’t believe many of them (including the Buckeyes) are really that good.
Loyola is a much better defense than the Buckeyes, and it is 24th in KenPom’s latest rankings, compared to Ohio State at 32.
I think the Ramblers are rightful favorites and will give Ohio State a tough game in the first round.
Lean: Loyola Chicago -2 (-110)
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
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