The No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (22-9) go head-to-head with the No. 11 Loyola Chicago Ramblers (28-5) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at American Airlines Center. The game starts at 3:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Miami is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 134.5 points.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Miami Hurricanes ATS Prediction
In the , the Ramblers beat the Illinois State Redbirds, 65-49. The Ramblers had a much better free throw rate (0.226 vs. 0.030) and held the Redbirds to an effective field goal percentage of 0.356 (below their season average of 0.508). With 18 points on 5-for-11 shooting, Donte Ingram was the game’s leading scorer.
The Hurricanes lost to the No. 12 North Carolina Tar Heels in the , 82-65. North Carolina’s 0.254 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Miami, who had a mark of 0.100. The Tar Heels’ mark was above their season average of 0.211, while the Hurricanes’ was below their season average of 0.197. Miami’s Anthony Lawrence II finished with 12 points and six rebounds in the contest.
Miami may have difficulty getting to the foul line in this meeting. The Hurricanes currently rank 325th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.193, while Loyola Chicago ranks 15th in FTA rate allowed (0.176).
Loyola Chicago comes into the contest with records of 28-5 straight up (SU) and 20-9 against the spread (ATS). Ramblers games have a tendency to go under the projected point total (58.6 percent).
Miami is 22-9 SU, but they have a hard time covering the spread (10-15-1 ATS). Hurricanes games have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Miami Hurricanes Betting Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Loyola Chicago, ATS Winner – Loyola Chicago, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Loyola Chicago ranks 43rd in assists per game (15.8) while Miami ranks 164th (13.3).
The Ramblers rank 13th in rebounds allowed per game (30.7) while the Hurricanes rank 127th (34.2).
Miami ranks 156th in three pointers attempted per game (21.6) while Loyola Chicago ranks 251st (18.7).
The Hurricanes average 6.5 steals per game, which ranks 102nd in the NCAA. The Ramblers rank 144th in steals allowed per game (6.4).
Miami ranks 72nd in blocks per game (4.0) while Loyola Chicago ranks 88th in blocks allowed per game (3.1).
Bettings Trends:
The Ramblers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.8, up from 10.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hurricanes have scored an average of 76.2 points per game (2.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 78.0 points per game (10.0 above their season average).
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