Oregon State at Loyola Preview and Betting Pick
Oregon State vs Loyola Preview and Betting Pick: The Midwest Region in the 2021 NCAA Tournament has not gone according to plan, and you can thank both Oregon State and Loyola Chicago for that. Both teams have enjoyed playing the underdog role in this tournament, and now one team is just a win away from the Elite 8.
Oregon State was given the 12th seed in the Midwest, despite winning the Pac-12 Championship this month. The Beavers blew out Tennessee in the First Round and then controlled the entire game against Oklahoma State.
Loyola Chicago eliminated Georgia Tech in the First Round but then pulled off the biggest win of the tournament in Round 2. The Ramblers simply dominated the Illinois Fighting Illini, eliminating one of the top betting favorites to win the National Championship.
The Ramblers are seven-point favorites in this matchup with Oregon State on Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis.
Oregon State vs Loyola Preview and Betting Pick: Beavers Beating Teams With Pace
The Oregon State Beavers want to run, and they got off to a great start in each of their first two NCAA Tournament games. Oregon State is averaging 75 points per game in this tournament, and they will need to get hot on offense to pull off another upset.
Guard Ethan Thompson leads the team with 15.6 points and 3.8 assists per game, and he will need to be great in this game against Loyola. The Ramblers put a ton of pressure on opposing guards, and the Beavers will have to find a way to initiate offense.
Oregon State has held teams to just 68 points per game this season, and that could bode well in this matchup. The Beavers aren’t going to be able to push the tempo, and they will have to play a solid 30 seconds of defense on nearly every possession.
Oregon State vs Loyola Preview and Betting Pick: Ramblers Can Really Defend
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers are holding opponents to just 55.8 points per game this season, and they make life difficult for opposing offenses. Loyola was able to completely shut down an explosive Illinois team, and they should do the same to Oregon State.
On offense, everything runs through center Cameron Krutwig. Krutwig was a third-team All-American this season, but it’s hard to find many players better than him. He averages just 15 points per game, but he is capable of a triple-double at any time.
Loyola Chicago are not going to come out and put up 80 points per game, but they won’t need to with the way they defend. The Ramblers are constantly searching for a great shot on offense, and their style of play will frustrate the Oregon State Beavers.
Believe the hype; this team is the real deal.
Oregon State vs Loyola Preview and Betting Pick: No Stoppin’ Sister Jean
It’s almost as if Loyola Chicago entered this tournament with an unfair advantage, as Sister Jean is up to her old tricks. The 101-year-old superfan of Loyola Chicago is the ultimate good luck charm, and she could very well get the Ramblers back in the Final Four.
Oregon State is going to try to win this game by scoring in transition, but Loyola just does not allow that to happen. The Beavers don’t have a good enough half-court offensive game to really challenge that tough defense.
Loyola Chicago is now a clear favorite in a Sweet 16 game, and they have a legitimate shot of reaching the Final Four. The Ramblers don’t have NBA talent on the roster, but they do everything needed to win basketball games.
Oregon State has had a nice run, but they can’t solve the Ramblers’ defense or tame the magic of Sister Jean. Take the Loyola Chicago Ramblers -7.0 over the Oregon State Beavers in this Sweet 16 matchup.
Stay tuned for more betting picks and previews over at Betting Midwest!
