Oregon State Beavers vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers Betting Preview
24 March 2021
Oregon State is the number 12 seed in the Midwest, and the Beavers have pulled off a pair of upsets to get to this point. This team won the Pac-12 Tournament championship to make the field, and it is taking advantage of a great opportunity.
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers are the number eight seed after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. Loyola Chicago stunned the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second round and look like a Final Four contender again.
The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers are 6.5-point favorites over the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday afternoon.
Beavers Want to Run
The Oregon State Beavers are averaging just 70 points per game this season, but they have found some rhythm in the NCAA Tournament. Oregon State put up 80 points in the Second Round win over Oklahoma State, and they did it by getting out on the break.
Guard Ethan Thompson leads the team with 15.6 points per game, and he had 25 points in the Second Round win over Oklahoma State. This team is shooting better than 35 percent from deep, and they will need to shoot it well in this game.
This team will give up some points, and they will have to find a way to slow down a great Loyola Chicago team on Saturday. Oregon State will be underdogs again, but they clearly enjoy playing in this role.
Loyola Locked in On Defense
Loyola Chicago is the top-rated defensive team in the country this season, according to a number of metrics. That defense has been sharp so far in the NCAA Tournament, holding the explosive Fighting Illini to just 58 points.
This team is scoring just 71.5 points per game, but they are incredibly efficient on that end of the floor as well. The offense runs through center Cameron Krutwig, and he leads the team with 15 points per game.
The Ramblers are not an explosive offensive team, but they can wear down opposing defenses with how efficient they are.
Ramblers Roll to Elite Eight
Both teams come into this game looking to add to its Cinderella story, but the Loyola Chicago Ramblers are comfortable in this role. This team was in the Final Four just a few seasons ago, and they know how to get it done in the NCAA Tournament.
Oregon State has looked explosive on offense so far in the NCAA Tournament, but they are facing a terrific defense on Saturday afternoon. The Beavers are not going to get easy buckets, and that will make it difficult for them to score.
Loyola Chicago has been terrific this season, and they will pick up another double-digit win in the Sweet 16. Bet the Loyola Chicago Ramblers -6.5 over the Oregon State Beavers in the Midwest Region of the NCAA Tournament.
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