Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview

Round two of the NCAA Tournament will begin with an in-state matchup between the Loyola Chicago Ramblers and the Illinois Fighting Illini. The winner of this game will advance to the Sweet 16 to take on the winner of the Oklahoma State-Oregon State winner.

Loyola Chicago advanced to the second round by beating the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets by a score of 71-60. The Ramblers have improved their record to 25-4, and they won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

Illinois is the number one seed in the Midwest Region, and the Fighting Illini had little trouble with Drexel in the First Round. The Fighting Illini have won 15 of their last 16 games, and they might be the hottest team in the NCAA Tournament. 

The Illinois Fighting Illini are seven-point favorites over the Loyola Chicago Ramblers. 

Ramblers Don’t Want to Run

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers are one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country, but they do not have the weapons to keep up with Illinois. The Ramblers put up 71 points in the First Round win over Georgia Tech, but they want to play this game in the 60s.

Center Cameron Krutwig leads the team with 14.9 points per game, and he is extremely crafty around the basket. Loyola Chicago is the much smaller team in this game, and they will have to find a way to defend the paint. 

The Ramblers are giving up just 55 points per game, and they will look to pack it in against the Fighting Illini on Sunday.

Illinois Loaded With Weapons

The Illinois Fighting Illini are scoring more than 81 points per game, and they have two of the best players in college basketball on their side. Guard Ayo Dosunmu is arguably the best player in the country, and center Kofi Cockburn is an absolute monster inside.

Dosunmu flirted with a triple-double in the win over Drexel and has two of them already this season. Cockburn had 18 points in the win on Friday, including a number of thunderous dunks.

Illinois will look to push the tempo on Sunday in an effort to overwhelm Loyola Chicago. 

Loyola Plays Cinderella Again

We are just a few years removed from the Cinderella run to the Final Four by Loyola Chicago, and this team is arguably much more talented. Taking on the Fighting Illini is a huge challenge, but the Ramblers will not be afraid to step up to the moment.

Loyola will look to slow this game down, and they could take control if they control the pace. The Ramblers don’t have anyone to deal with Kofi Cockburn, but Loyola can counter that by shooting well. 

Illinois has been on an absolute tear of late, but they are taking on a team that knows how to win in the NCAA Tournament. The Fighting Illini are in real danger of being upset, and that is exactly what will happen on Sunday.

Bet the Loyola Chicago Ramblers money line over the Illinois Fighting Illini.

Keep up with your latest college basketball news and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index. 

MARCH MADNESS POINTSBET BETTING PROMOTION
Bet $20 on the Spread or Moneyline of any NCAA March Madness Game, Get $150 in Free Bets if 1 point is scored. Start Betting Now >>