Davidson vs Loyola Chicago Prediction 3/5/25 College Basketball Picks

The Davidson Wildcats and the Loyola Ramblers meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Gentile Arena. Here’s a Davidson vs Loyola prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Davidson vs Loyola pick. We will examine: 

The Davidson Wildcats’ recent form and player performance

The Loyola Ramblers’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Davidson Wildcats

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Loyola Ramblers

Recent betting trends in games played between Davidson and Loyola

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Davidson vs Loyola game

Davidson Wildcats Betting Preview

Davidson was looking pretty good in the record column back in mid-January. Since then, however, it’s been a choppy run. The Wildcats kicked things off with a 12-4 record across their first 16 outings. Those losses were versus Arizona, Gonzaga, Temple, and George Mason. A 1-5 run came next with losses to La Salle, Rhode Island, Saint Joseph’s, George Mason and Dayton. The Wildcats would lose to George Washington and Loyola with wins otherwise over Richmond, UMass, and Fordham in the next five games. Since then it’s been losses to Saint Louis and VCU, giving the Wildcats a 16-13 overall record across their first 29 outings. 

In the VCU matchup on Friday, the Wildcats came out of the first half with an ugly 43-19 deficit. Davidson didn’t end up getting any closer on a 37-37 run from there and took the blowout road loss 80-56 in the end. Leading the starters was Connor Kochera with 18 points, three rebounds and one steal. Zach Laput came off the bench for 18 points as well, adding six rebounds and one assist in 29 minutes of action during the loss. 

Loyola Ramblers Betting Preview

Over on the Ramblers’ side, they were looking pretty sketchy during an uneven run in December/January, but outside of that, they’ve been good. Loyola lost just one of their first 10 games, then fell to Oakland, Charleston, Murray State, VCU, Saint Joseph’s, Dayton, and George Mason in the next 10 outings. Since then the Ramblers are 7-2 in their most recent nine appearances. Loyola has losses to Duquesne and Saint Louis in that time among wins otherwise versus Saint Joseph’s, Saint Bonaventure, Richmond, Saint Louis, Davidson, Dayton, and George Washington. In total across 29 games so far this year that gives the Ramblers a 19-10 overall record. 

Matched up on the road versus Saint Louis on Saturday, the Ramblers were demolished 55-35 in the first half. Loyola fell even further behind from there on a 45-34 second half on the way to a 98-67 blowout defeat. Miles Rubin led the team with 16 points, three rebounds, and one assist. Jayden Dawson chipped in 14 points with two rebounds and two assists, while Des Watson also reached double-figures on 11 points with three rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 35 minutes of work. 

Why the Loyola Ramblers will win

• Loyola (IL) has won each of its last 14 night games at Joseph J. Gentile Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Davidson has lost nine of its last 11 night games against Conference opponents.
• Davidson has lost the first half in nine of its last 12 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Davidson Wildcats will win

• Davidson has won four of its last five games when playing with a rest advantage.

Davidson vs Loyola Prediction 

I’m going to stay with Loyola. The Ramblers need a good bounce-back effort here though, following their ugly road loss to Saint Louis. Loyola gave up 58.3 percent shooting from the field in that one and 52.9 percent (18-of-34) from outside alongside a 32-25 rebounding deficit. The good news is that the Ramblers didn’t shoot terribly themselves (44.4 percent) and had just nine turnovers. The loss halts Loyola’s winning streak at five games. 

In a road matchup versus Davidson back on February 18, Loyola secured a 77-69 victory. The Ramblers didn’t shoot terribly (42.9 percent) in that one either while posting a 42-38 rebounding edge and only nine turnovers. Davidson shot just 37.9 percent on the other side, so they’ve got to get the offense going early in this road rematch. Ultimately I like Loyola to power it out, though. 

Andrew Jett's Pick: Loyola Ramblers -4