Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

4 minute read

Dec. 10, 2021

Joe Hedrick
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (8-2) travel to Nashville, Tennessee to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores (5-3). Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at the Memorial Gymnasium and will broadcast on ESPN+.

Score Prediction

Loyola Chicago 70, Vanderbilt 65

Best Bets

Loyola Chicago -4.5 (-110) at DraftKings

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Predictions

Vanderbilt enters Friday nights matchup on a two-game losing streak (SMU, Temple). In both games they failed to cover as well. The Commodores will look to avoid a three-game slump, but will be no easy task against a Loyal Chicago team that has been shooting lights out.

Loyola Chicago will be in search of its fifth straight victory Friday night. This may not be a big-name school, but this is a very good basketball program. Their two loses on the season come from Michigan State (63-61) and Auburn (62-53), during the Battle 4 Atlantis. The most recent road game for the Ramblers was a win over DePaul, 68-64. Unfortunate for bettors who backed at –4.5.

The last time these two teams met was 12/18/19, in a game Loyola Chicago won, 78-70.

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Odds

Odds Provided by DraftKings - Subject to Change

• Loyola-Chicago -4.5 (-110)
• Vanderbilt +4.5 (-110)
• Over 132.5 (-110)
• Under 132.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Resources

• Matchup: MVC vs. SEC
• Date: Friday, December 10, 2021
• Venue: Memorial Gymnasium
• Location: Nashville, Tennessee
• TV-Time: ESPN+ - 8:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 8-2
• ATS: 4-5
• O/U: 6-3

Loyola Chicago is 8-2 SU on the season, but haven’t been as kind to bettors ATS, with a 4-5 record. The total has gone over six times for the Ramblers, but just twice in their last five road games. If they can get a win on the road Friday night, don’t be surprised to see them in the AP top 25 next week.

The offense for Loyola has been shooting the ball extremely well. To begin the season, they have shot 51% from the field and 41% from three, both stats rank 7th best in the country. This team loves to share the ball, averaging 17.6 APG (22nd). They have plenty of veteran players, including Lucas Williamson and Ryan Schweiger, but mainly stick to looking for the most efficient shot on the floor as opposed to running the offense through one player.

The defense for Loyola has allowed 61.4 PPG (50th). The Ramblers are 100 th in FG% allowed at 40%. They will need to focus on shutting down Vanderbilt's offensive threats, Scotty Pippen Jr.and Jordan Wright. If they can manage to do this, and stick to the offensive game plan, Loyola Chicago should be setting themselves up for a win in Nashville.

Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Analysis

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

• SU: 5-3
• ATS: 4-4
• O/U: 4-4

Vanderbilt enters Friday night's game looking to snap a two-game losing streak. Despite losing two straight, Vanderbilt has covered in three of its last five games. The total has gone over in just two of the last five games for the Commodores, but three times in the last six at home.

Vanderbilt’s offense is averaging 70.9 PPG (208th), while shooting 40% from the field and 30% from three. Pippen Jr. has been the primary weapon for the offense, averaging 16.8 PPG, 2.9 APG, and 42.2% FG. The second offensive threat for the Commodores has been Wright, averaging 14.9 PPG, 7 RPG, and 45% FG. Look for both these guys to get involved early in the game.

The Commodore's defense is allowing 60 PPG (45th). They also are 52nd in defending the three holding offenses to 28%. They will need efforts from everyone, as Loyola Chicago has eight players scoring six points or more per game. Allowing an average of 78 the past two games, Vanderbilt will need to clean things up against one of the most efficient offenses in the country.

Loyola-Chicago has gone OVER the point total in six of its last nine games. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

• Record: 8-2
• VI Ranking: 36
• PS/G: 79.9 (49th)
• PA/G: 61.4 (53rd)
• ORtg: 116.8 (13th)
• DRtg: 89.8 (69th)

Inside the Stats - Vanderbilt Commodores

• Record: 5-2
• VI Ranking: 114
• PS/G: 70.9 (211th)
• PA/G: 60.9 (45th)
• ORtg: 101.6 (199th)
• DRtg: 87.3 (38th)

Key Players to Watch

• LOYC – Lucas Williamson - G (11.7 ppg, 5 rpg)
• LOYC – Ryan Schwieger - G (11.2 ppg)
• VAN – Scotty Pippen, Jr. - G (16.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
• VAN – Jordan Wright - G (14.9 ppg, 7 rpg)

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Conclusion

This should be a great game, but I give a slight edge to Loyola Chicago in this one. The line opened at Loyola Chicago –3.5, but quickly jumped to -4.5. Getting the line at 3.5 would be ideal but still back them at –4.5.

The total for this game opened at 132.5. The teams are scoring a combined 149 PPG but only allowing 122PPG. I personally think it will be a defensive battle, so lean towards the under but 132.5 is so low that it could easily go over that. Stay with the spread and backing the Ramblers –4.5.

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Betting Trends

• Loyola-Chicago has gone OVER the point total in six of its last nine games.
• Vanderbilt has failed to cover the spread in two straight games.

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