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College Basketball

Loyola-Chicago vs. Drake Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
7 minute read

Feb. 13, 2021
Thom Cunningham
NCAA BK Expert
VegasInsider.com

A massive mid-major clash sees the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers take on the Drake Bulldogs. This huge MVC showdown is set for noon (ET) and will air on ESPN2.

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Loyola Chicago-Drake Betting Odds

Line Movements

  • Spread: Loyola-Chicago -3
  • Money-Line: Loyola-Chicago -190 Drake +170
  • Total: 134.5

Odds Subject to Change

The Ramblers enter this road game as a -3-point favorite, although that line has dropped to -2.5 with some sportsbooks. Both schools are exceptional in covering the spread. Loyola-Chicago is 12-5-1 on the ATS, while Drake has covered 15 of its last 18 games this season.

The point total is set at 134.5 points, none too surprising with the solid defenses both schools have. Loyola-Chicago is 9-9 on the O/U this season, while Drake has gone OVER in 10 of its last 18 games.

Betting Analysis – Loyola Chicago Ramblers

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 17-3
  • ATS: 12-5-1
  • SU - Home: 10-1
  • SU - Away: 7-2
  • O/U: 9-9

What makes the Ramblers so good, and has propelled them into the AP top 25, is the defense. Loyola-Chicago allows just 56.2 points per game, which is the best in the entire nation. The defensive efficiency also ranks fourth nationally, while the offensive efficiency ranks 22nd nationally.

What gives Loyola-Chicago such a high offensive efficiency rating, despite only scoring 74 points per game (ranks 127th), is the high shooting percentages. The Ramblers shoot 37.4% from beyond the arc (ranks 43rd nationally), they shoot 60.9% from inside the arc (ranks fifth nationally) and shoots a 52.1% field goal percentage (ranks third nationally).

This is a well balanced team, beginning with big man Cameron Krutwig. He is the only Rambler to average a double-digit point total, while also leading the team in rebounds with 6.1 per game. He attempts 10.9 shots per game, making about 60% of his field goal takes.

Despite other Ramblers not attempting the amount of shots Krutwig does per game, the Ramblers high shooting percentage mixed with their mediocre points per game average indicates smart shot selections. So yes, the defense gets all the hype and credit - as they should.

This offense is dangerously efficient though, and often overlooked. Despite not allowing a team to score over 58 points in 10 straight games, the Ramblers have also scored 65 points or more in nine straight games. Balanced teams do well in March Madness, as Loyola-Chicago seems poised to have another solid run if they get into the tournament.

Betting Analysis – Drake Bulldogs

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 19-1
  • ATS: 15-3
  • SU - Home: 12-0
  • SU - Away: 7-1
  • O/U: 10-8

Drake has won 19 of its last 20 games, and now host a two-game series against the only team standing in their way of a MVC trophy. Not too many are familiar with this small school out of Iowa, but they should be. Drake does a lot of things well, beginning with the offense.

Drake averages over 80 points per game, ranking 21st nationally in that category. They also hold the nation's sixth-most efficient offense with a 116.5 rating. Much like Loyola-Chicago, Drake can shoot the ball well.

The Bulldogs rank 30th nationally in two-point percentage (55.9%), they rank 36th in three-point percentage (37.9%) and rank 10th in overall field goal percentage (50.4%). Three seniors make up the top four scorers for this club, beginning with ShanQuan Hemphill.

Hemphill scores 14.1 points per game with 6.3 boards as well, but doesn't lead the Bulldogs in rebounds. Darnell Brodie averages 7.3 rebounds per game, while both Garrett Sturtz and Termell Murphy average five or more too.

Drake rebounds very well too, averaging 39 a game which ranks 47th nationally. This plays into their defense as well, posting the 19th-most efficient defense in the nation with 63 points allowed per game (ranks 28th). They also average 7.8 steals per game, which ranks 58th nationally.

Much like the Ramblers, Drake is a highly-efficent team on both ends of the court. Although both Hemphill and Roman Penn are the leading scorers, keep your eyes on Sturtz as his rebounding and steals are often overlooked in the Bulldogs' success this year.


Inside the Stats – Loyola Chicago Ramblers

  • PS/G: 74 (127th)
  • PA/G: 56.2 (1st)
  • Off Rtg: 112.9 (22nd)
  • Def Rtg: 85.9 (4th)

Inside the Stats – Drake Bulldogs

  • PS/G: 81.3 (21st)
  • PA/G: 63 (28th)
  • Off Rtg: 116.5 (6th)
  • Def Rtg: 90.2 (19th)

Key Players to Watch

  • LOYC - Cameron Krutwig (15.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG)
  • LOYC - Tate Hall (8.7 PPG)
  • DRK - ShanQuan Hemphill (14.1 PPG, 6.3 RPG)
  • DRK - Roman Penn (12.4 PPG, 5.6 APG)

Loyola Chicago-Drake Predictions

This is a very difficult game to pick a winner for, as the point total is much more clear cut. Despite the trends for the O/U being essentially split, taking the UNDER seems to be a smart play here.

As mentioned, Loyola hasn't allowed over 58 points in 10 straight games - which sounds insane. Going against a team that averages 80 points per game (on the road) will put that streak to the test, but neither team allows even 65 points per game. Assuming 70 is the high either side can reach, this game should go UNDER.

  • Score Prediction: Drake 68 Loyola-Chicago 66
  • Best Bets: UNDER

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