After winning its first eight games and its first nine out of 10, Loyola has lost four of its last five games, which included a four-game losing streak that ended in a win over La Salle on Wednesday.
The Ramblers (10-5 overall, 1-1 in A-10 play) had a relatively difficult non-conference schedule and picked up a few quality wins before losing to good teams throughout the last three months. That schedule should prepare them well for Atlantic-10 play down the stretch.
Saint Joseph’s (10-6, 1-2) picked up some quality non-conference wins as well, including over Power Four programs Villanova and Texas Tech. The Hawks also played Texas, but lost by nine points.
If there’s a chance Saint Joe’s is on the bubble at the end of the season, each of those results could really inflate its resume.
Loyola Chicago at Saint Joseph’s Betting Odds
Saint Joseph is a 5.5-point college basketball odds favorite on BetMGM against Loyola Chicago while the Over/Under is at 143.5.
The Moneyline for Saint Joe’s is at -215 and at +205 for Loyola Chicago.
Loyola Chicago at Saint Joseph’s On TV
The matchup between Loyola Chicago and Saint Joseph’s will be televised on CBS Sports Network.
Today’s game tips off at 3 p.m. ET.
Loyola Chicago at Saint Joseph’s Prediction
I predict Saint Joe’s will cover the 5.5-point spread. I also predict the total will go under 143.5 points.
The Hawks have dropped their last two games, which have to be aching at them. They were the favorite against Duquesne where they lost by four in overtime and got smoked by 16 against Saint Louis. Saint Joe’s had a few chances late to win in the loss to the Dukes.
Sometimes stats and insight can be put aside when a team is eager to get back on the court and pick up a victory, and I think that’s the case for the Hawks here. There’s no doubt they want to get the bad taste of those losses out of their mouths.
But for those who are keeping tabs, the Hawks have been solid on defense this season and force tough shots. Opponents are shooting just 31.1% from the 3-point line against them and 46.4% from 2, per KenPom. For the most part, the Ramblers offense has struggled the past few weeks and scored more than 70 just once in their past four contests.
One of the reasons I like the Hawks here is because of Rasheer Fleming. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound junior is a problem for opposing big men and should have no issues going up against the Loyola Chicago bigs. Fleming is averaging 16.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Expect him to have a handle on the boards, especially the offensive boards, and to secure his eighth double-double of the season.
Despite giving up a game-winning bucket to Oakland and struggling to get stops down the stretch in recent weeks, the Ramblers defense has played well this season. They’re allowing 67.8 points per game and limiting opponents to 47.7% shooting on 2-point attempts.
Saint Joseph’s hasn’t covered the spread in its last four meetings and is just 6-9-1 against the spread this season, including 4-7-1 as a favorite. Loyola isn’t any better, covering the spread in just four games and once as an underdog. The underdog has also covered in three of the last four meetings between these squads.
