The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (18-4, 8-2 MVC) travel to Bradley to take on the Braves (16-7, 6-4 MVC) in a game that has the potential to be low-scoring. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
Loyola Chicago is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 128 points.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers at Bradley Braves Free Prediction
The Ramblers will be looking for a similar result after thoroughly outplaying the UNI Panthers in their last outing, 70-47. The Ramblers made 13 of their 13 free throws (100.0 percent) and held the Panthers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.404 (below their season average of 0.494). Donte Ingram played well for Loyola Chicago, recording 16 points and eight rebounds.
In the Braves’ last matchup, they beat the Indiana State Sycamores, 81-73. The Braves had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 35.7 (above their season average of 33.4), while the Sycamores had a free throw rate of 0.214 (below their season average of 0.251). Nate Kennell was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
Baskets could be hard to come by in this contest between two of the NCAA’s best defenses. Bradley ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency (94.6) and Loyola Chicago is 14th (93.9).
Loyola Chicago heads into the contest with records of 18-4 straight up (SU) and 13-5 against the spread (ATS). Ramblers games have typically finished under the total (61.1 percent).
Meanwhile, Bradley is 16-7 SU and 12-7-2 ATS. Similarly to Loyola Chicago, Braves games also have a tendency to go under the O/U total (76.2 percent).
Cameron Krutwig and Clayton Custer have played at a high level over the last five games for Loyola Chicago. Krutwig has averaged 12.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Not to be outdone, Custer has recorded 14.0 points, 4.6 assists and 2.4 steals a game during that span.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Krutwig scored a game-high 21 points and the Ramblers beat the Braves 81-65, covering as 6.5-point favorites. He also put up 13 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 146 points, which was 18 points above the projected point total of 128 points. The Ramblers made 16 of their 21 free throws (76.2 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.625 vs. 0.466).
Loyola Chicago Ramblers at Bradley Braves Free Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Loyola Chicago, ATS Winner – Loyola Chicago, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Loyola Chicago is 8-2 ATS with 8 unders and 2 overs.
At home, Bradley is 8-0-2 ATS with 7 unders and 3 overs.
Bradley ranks 98th in rebounds per game (37.0) while Loyola Chicago ranks 248th (32.8).
The Braves rank 16th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while the Ramblers rank 98th (3.4).
Loyola Chicago ranks 31st in assists allowed per game (11.1) while Bradley ranks 86th (12.5).
The Braves average 6.7 steals per game, which ranks 89th in the NCAA. The Ramblers rank 131st in steals allowed per game (6.6).
Bradley ranks 235th in three pointers attempted per game (18.9) while Loyola Chicago ranks 268th (17.4).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Loyola Chicago is 5-0 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Bradley is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Ramblers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 18.4, up from 10.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Braves have scored an average of 68.2 points per game (0.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.8 points per game (3.1 above their season average).
