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The Loyola Chicago Ramblers are set to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. Check out our March Madness odds series, which includes our Loyola Chicago Ohio State prediction, odds, and pick.
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The Loyola Chicago Ramblers gave up 87 points in regulation to Northern Iowa in late February. They lost in overtime and finished fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference standings. The team which always seemed like the favorite in the Missouri Valley did not win the regular-season championship. It was a humbling moment for a program which reached the Sweet 16 in the 2021 NCAA Tournament and the 2018 Final Four under previous head coach Porter Moser, who is now at Oklahoma. March Madness odds experts knew that new coach Drew Valentine needed to find a spark heading into the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, also known as Arch Madness. Loyola looked like a tired team burdened by expectations and overwhelmed by the reality that every opponent was throwing its best punch at the Ramblers.
They rolled through Arch Madness with three convincing wins in three days to make the NCAA Tournament. What changed? The return of Marquise Kennedy did the trick for Loyola. Kennedy had been injured. His return in time for the conference tournament gave Loyola a lot more cohesion at both ends of the floor, especially on defense. A Loyola team which was torched by Northern Iowa in late February then turned around and held the Panthers under 45 points in the Missouri Valley semifinals on March 5. Kennedy stitches together this team in ways many people didn't previously appreciate. This is something to think about when formulating a Loyola Chicago Ohio State prediction.
Ohio State had the same feel as Loyola Chicago did late in the season. The Buckeyes looked weary and worn down, affected by injuries and being limited in what their roster could do against hungry opponents. If E.J. Liddell is not scoring, Ohio State becomes very limited. The Buckeyes got their share of wins in the Big Ten, but their late-season fade eroded their seeding to a No. 7 slot. Ohio State might realize that losing at home to Michigan — which just won its first-round NCAA Tournament game — might not be as bad a result as first thought, but there is still an awareness that the Buckeyes have to be much better to advance in the bracket. Keep that point in mind when arriving at a Loyola Chicago Ohio State pick.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Loyola Chicago-Ohio State odds:
March Madness Odds: Loyola Chicago-Ohio State Odds
Loyola Chicago : +1 (-110)
Ohio State: -1 (-110)
Over: 132 (-110)
Under: 132 (-110)
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Why Loyola Chicago Could Cover the Spread
The Ramblers are whole, and when they clamp down on defense — which they are back to doing after a February lull — they are extremely tough to beat.
Why Ohio State Could Cover the Spread
The Buckeyes have heard all week about how good Loyola is. This team will be motivated and will come out of the gate roaring.
Final Loyola Chicago-Ohio State Prediction & Pick
Loyola beat an excellent Illinois team in last year's NCAA Tournament. Ohio State isn't nearly as good. The Ramblers will take out another Big Ten opponent.
Final Loyola Chicago-Ohio State Pick: Loyola Chicago +1
