The No. 9 Kansas State Wildcats (25-11) take on the No. 11 Loyola Chicago Ramblers (31-5) in the Elite Eight at Philips Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 24, 2018.
Neither team is favored and the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 127 points.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Kansas State Wildcats ATS Prediction
In the Sweet 16, the Ramblers topped the No. 7 Nevada Wolf Pack, 69-68. Loyola Chicago’s 0.606 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Nevada, who had a rate of 0.474. The Ramblers’ mark was above their season average of 0.578, while the Wolf Pack’s was below their season average of 0.550. With 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting, Marques Townes was Loyola Chicago’s leading scorer.
The Wildcats edged the No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats in the Sweet 16, 61-58. Kansas State’s 13.6 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Kentucky, who had a mark of 20.5. Xavier Sneed was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the nation’s slowest-paced teams battle. Kansas State currently ranks 319th in possessions per game (66.1) and Loyola Chicago is 337th (65.0).
Loyola Chicago holds records of 31-5 straight up (SU) and 23-9 against the spread (ATS). Of the Ramblers’ 32 games with betting action, 20 have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Kansas State owns records of 25-11 SU and 16-17 ATS. Wildcats games also have typically gone under the projected point total (63.6 percent).
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Kansas State Wildcats Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Kansas State, ATS Winner – Kansas State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Kansas State ranks 17th in steals per game (8.0) while Loyola Chicago ranks 182nd in steals allowed per game (6.5).
The Ramblers rank 10th in rebounds allowed per game (30.4) while the Wildcats rank 122nd (34.0).
Loyola Chicago ranks 38th in assists per game (15.9) while Kansas State ranks 139th (13.9).
The Wildcats rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Ramblers rank 112th (3.2).
Kansas State ranks 223rd in three pointers attempted per game (20.0) while Loyola Chicago ranks 263rd (18.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Ramblers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.6, down from 9.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 62.6 points per game (8.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 61.4 points per game (5.3 below their season average).
—–
