Oregon State at Loyola-Chicago: 3/27/21 College Basketball Picks and Prediction
Photo by Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (26-4) vs Oregon State Beavers (19-12)
Game Info: Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 2:40 pm (Bankers Life Fieldhouse)
Betting Odds: Loyola-Chicago Ramblers -7 -- Over/Under: 128 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The Oregon State Beaves and Loyola Chicago Ramblers will square off at Bankers Life Fieldhouse this Saturday night in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
The 12-seed Oregon State Beavers (19-12) was able to keep their season alive and reached the Sweet 16 after upsetting the 4-seed Oklahoma State Cowboys, 80-70, this past Sunday night. Oregon State was lights out defensively against Oklahoma State and was able to pull away late after a 6-0 Beavers run gave Oregon State a 76-67 lead with just :49 seconds left in regulation. Oregon State shot 41.2% from the field and 30.0% from beyond the arc while holding Oklahoma State to just 27.7% shooting from the field and 27.6% from beyond the arc. Oregon State lost the turnover battle by a 20-8 margin, however, outrebounded Oklahoma State by a 52-32 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Beavers was Ethan Thompson who had 26 points, 7 rebounds, & 1 block.
On the season, Oregon State is averaging 70.9 ppg on 43.6% shooting from the field. The Beavers are averaging 7.1 three-pointers per game on 35.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Oregon State has been led by Ethan Thompson (15.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.2 spg), Jarod Lucas (13.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.2 apg), Warith Alatishe (9.5 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.5 bpg), & Zach Reichle (7.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.9 apg).
Defensively, Oregon State is allowing their opponents to average 68.0 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field. The Beavers have a rebound margin of 1.2 and a turnover margin of 0.7.
The 8-seed Loyola Chicago Ramblers (26-4) pulled off an incredible upset and advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating the 1-seed Illinois Fighting Illini, 71-58, this past Saturday. Loyola Chicago was incredible on the defensive end against the high-powered Illinois offense and had no trouble picking up the victory after taking a 49-36 lead with 11:05 left in regulation. Loyola Chicago shot 51.0% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc while Illinois shot 44.9% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc. Loyola Chicago outrebounded Illinois by a 30-27 margin while also winning the turnover battle by a 17-11 margin. Leading the way for the Ramblers was Cameron Krutwig who had 19 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, & 4 steals.
On the season, Loyola Chicago is averaging 71.5 ppg on 50.4% shooting from the field. The Ramblers are averaging 7.2 three-pointers per game on 37.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Loyola Chicago has been led by Cameron Krutwig (15.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.1 bpg), Lucas Williamson (8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.4 spg), Braden Norris (8.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.1 apg), & Keith Clemons (7.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.5 apg).
Defensively, Loyola Chicago is holding their opponents to an average of 55.8 ppg on 41.3% shooting from the field. The Ramblers have a rebound margin of 5.2 and a turnover margin of 2.1.
The Beavers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral stie games. The Ramblers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games overall and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite.
Oregon State has made an incredible run as after being picked to finished last in the Pac-12 this season, the Beavers behind a solid defense and their floor general, Ethan Thompson, have continue to pile up wins and pull off upsets. Loyola Chicago had one of the more dominating performances of the NCAA Tournament with their win against Illinois and have been great on both sides of the court as they come in with the top-ranked scoring defense and 4th ranked FG%. Loyola Chicago does a great job of forcing their opponents to play their style of game, however, Oregon State has been equally impressive with their wins against Tennessee & Oklahoma State and although I think the Ramblers pick up the win, I think Oregon State does enough to keep it within this large number. Take Oregon State and the points.
Brett’s Pick Oregon State Beavers +7
AUTHOR: Brett Nault

Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05