Illinois State (8-18) at Loyola-Chicago (18-9)
College Basketball: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at 8:00 pm (Joseph J. Gentile Center)
The Line: Loyola-Chicago -12 -- Over/Under: 129.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Illinois State Redbirds (8-18, CONF 3-11) and Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (18-9, CONF 10-4) face off in a Missouri Valley showdown at the Joseph J. Gentile Center. The Redbirds and Ramblers faced off exactly a month ago and the Ramblers came out ahead by 12 points.
The Redbirds have been one of the worst teams in the Missouri Valley, and they come into this game having lost eight of the last ten games.Illinois State is still looking for their first win away from home this season.
All season Illinois State’s offense hasn’t been good, and their defense has been even worse. Away from home the Redbirds are averaging 64 points per game, while giving up 77.1. The Redbirds are led by Zach Copeland who is averaging 15.1 points while shooting 41.5 percent from the field.
Everyone knows the Ramblers from their shocking run during the NCAA tournament, and the hope is they can do it again.
Coming into this game Loyola-Chicago has won three games in a row, but they have only covered one spread.The Ramblers aren’t usually a team that is running up the score, but their defense is strong giving up only 61.7 points per game. At home Loyola’s defense is even better giving up only 58.1 points per game.
The star of the Ramblers is center Cameron Krutwig who is averaging 15.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. Krutwig is shooting 57.9 percent from the field.
The Redhawks are 1-8 ATS in their last nine road games. Illinois State is 8-20 in their last 28 games overall. The road team is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 games between the Redhawks and Ramblers. The under is 6-2 in the Ramblers last eight home games. The under is 11-4 in Loyola’s last 14 games overall.
This has been a series that has been dominated by the road squad and it should be no different in this game. Offensively the Ramblers and Redhawks are similar. Look for the Redhawks to score just enough to cover the spread.
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Shane’s Pick Illinois State +12
AUTHOR: Shane Mickle
