Valparaiso Crusaders (3-8) vs Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (10-3)
Game Info: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm (Athletics-Recreation Center)
Betting Odds: Valparaiso Crusaders +12 -- Over/Under: 132.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Loyola Chicago Ramblers will travel to the Athletics-Recreation Center to take on the Valparaiso Crusaders this Wednesday night in College Basketball action.
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers won their 3rd straight game and improved to 10-3 on the season after defeating the Northern Iowa Panthers, 88-46, this past Sunday. Loyola Chicago dominated Northern Iowa on both ends of the court and had little trouble securing the victory after an 18-5 Ramblers run gave Loyola Chicago a 57-29 lead early in the 2nd half. Loyola Chicago shot 62.3% from the field and 55.0% from beyond the arc while holding Northern Iowa to just 32.1% shooting from the field and 21.4% from beyond the arc. Loyola Chicago and Northern Iowa each pulled down 31 rebounds while the Ramblers won the turnover battle by a 17-9 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Ramblers was Tate Hall who had 13 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assist, & 1 block in 20 minutes from off the bench.
On the season, Loyola Chicago is averaging 76.2 ppg on 51.6% shooting from the field. The Ramblers are averaging 8.6 three-pointers per game on 39.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Loyola Chicago has been led by Cameron Krutwig (15.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.2 bpg), Tate Hall (10.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg), Lucas Williamson (8.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.1 spg), & Braden Norris (7.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.2 apg).
Defensively, Loyola Chicago is holding their opponents to an average of 58.7 ppg on 40.9% shooting from the field. The Ramblers have a rebound margin of 3.9 and a turnover margin of 2.6.
The Valparaiso Crusaders lost their 4th straight game and dropped to 3-8 on the season after being defeated by the DePaul Blue Demons, 77-58, this past Saturday. Valparaiso had no answers on the offensive end against DePaul in the 1st half and could not fight back after DePaul used a 14-0 run to take a 69-44 lead with 6:12 left in regulation. Valparaiso shot 34.0% from the field and 20.0% from beyond the arc while DePaul shot 43.5% from the field and 40.9% from beyond the arc. Valparaiso was outrebounded by DePaul by a 43-32 margin and committed 16 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Crusaders was Eron Gordon who had 12 points, 7 rebounds, & 1 assist.
On the season, Valparaiso is averaging 69.6 ppg on 42.3% shooting from the field. The Crusaders are averaging 6.7 three-pointers per game on 28.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Valparaiso has been led by Ben Krikke (11.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.0 spg), Donovan Clay (11.2 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.5 bpg), Nick Robinson (9.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg), & Sheldon Edwards (7.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.0 apg).
Defensively, Valparaiso is allowing their opponents to average 70.5 ppg on 42.5% shooting from the field. The Crusaders have a rebound margin of -5.9 and a turnover margin of 2.8.
The Ramblers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall, however, are 6-14-1 ATS in their last 21 road games. The Crusaders are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 home games, however, are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Loyola Chicago continues to show their home dominance this past weekend with two outstanding performances against Northern Iowa that saw the Ramblers win both games by an average of 28.5 ppg, however, all I think that did was raise this line to be a bit higher than it should be. Loyola is a great team on both ends of the court, however, they are just 2-2 on the road this season with a recent loss at Indiana State and as the Crusaders have a decent defense that forces turnovers and generally do a decent job protecting the ball on the offensive end, I think the play here is to take the home team and the points. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Valparaiso Crusaders +12
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05