Loyola Ramblers at Missouri State Bears Betting Preview/Prop Pick

The Missouri Valley Conference title race is heating up, and there are a handful of teams that still have a chance. Two of those teams are set to meet up on Sunday afternoon as the Missouri State Bears host the Loyola Chicago Ramblers.

Loyola comes into this game with an overall record of 17-4, but they have not been as dominant in MVC action as they have been in previous years. The Ramblers have gone just 3-2 in their last five games, and one of those losses was at home to Missouri State. 

The Bears bring an overall record of 17-7 into this game, but they have gone 4-1 over their last five games. Missouri State needs to protect the home court and beat the Ramblers for a second time if they want to stay in the title race. 

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers are 1.5-point betting favorites over the Missouri Bears on Sunday. 

Ramblers Love to Defend

Loyola Chicago advanced to the Sweet 16 again last season, and they just continue to get the job done on the defensive end of the floor. The Ramblers have made a habit out of frustrating opponents with their defense, and they are holding teams to just 62 points per game.

The offensive end has been a challenge at times for Loyola Chicago, and they are going to have to find a way to score with more efficiency. Guard Lucas Williamson leads the team with 13 points per game, but he is going to need some help to pull off a win on the road.

Loyola is comfortable winning a game in the 60s, and there aren’t many other college basketball programs that are playing that style of game.

Bears Will Speed Things Up

Missouri State scored 79 points against Loyola Chicago in the earlier win this season, and the Bears are going to be looking to speed things up at home. This team can’t beat the Ramblers in a defensive battle, but they have a clear advantage on the offensive end of the floor. 

Isiaih Mosley might be in line to be named MVC Player of the Year as he has scored 21 points per game this season. Missouri State is a team that is scoring just 67 points per game, but they can get hot and then be tough to stop.

The Bears have also been a solid defensive team this season, but they will be looking to win this game on offense.

Bears Pick Up Home Win

Both of these teams can really defend, but that means that this outcome will come down to which team is able to put the ball in the hoop. Missouri State has been the better team in that area, and that is going to come into play in this game.

Loyola Chicago is still going to be a team to watch out for in the MVC Tournament and March Madness, but they have not been as dominant during the regular season. The Ramblers just don’t have enough weapons to go on the road in this league and consistently win games. 

Take the Missouri State moneyline and UNDER as the Bears pull off the slight upset and beat the Loyola Chicago Ramblers.

Prop Pick

Loyola Chicago (-110) UNDER 68.5 Points

The Bears are allowing 66.9 points per game on defense, which ranks No. 124 in the nation. Scores have gone UNDER in each of Missouri State’s last four Sunday games. Additionally, scores have gone UNDER in 11 of the Ramblers’ last 14 games as a Vegas road favorite.

With Dunkel predicting a Missouri State victory by the score of 66-63, take the Ramblers (-110) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 68.5 points against the Bears.

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