Loyola-Chicago vs Murray State Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/25/24

The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers are visiting the Murray State Racers on Wednesday, December 25th at the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs Murray State Racers Prediction.

Murray State Racers Preview

The Murray State Racers have a 6-6 record this season and are coming off a 90-94 loss to Charlotte. The Racers are 3-7-1 against the spread and 6-5 in over/under while having a 4-1 home record.

Offensively, Murray State is averaging 76.1 points per game, which ranks 177th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 66.9 points per game (75th). The Racers shoot 46.2% from the field (135th) and 37.2% from beyond the arc (57th). The Racers shoot 69.2% from the free-throw line (248th) and are grabbing 35.4 rebounds per game (253th).

Jacobi Wood leads Murray State in scoring with an average of 14.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and a team-high 5.4 assists, while AJ Ferguson adds 11.9 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds.

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers Preview

The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers have a 9-3 record this season and are coming off a 68-77 loss to Charleston. The Ramblers are 3-8 against the spread, and 4-6-1 in over/under, while they have a 1-0 road record. 

Offensively, Loyola-Chicago is averaging 78 points per game, which ranks 127th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 66.2 points per game (58th). The Ramblers shoot 46.8% from the field (105th) and 34.7% from beyond the arc (140th). The Ramblers shoot 64.9% from the free-throw line (332nd) and are grabbing 37.8 rebounds per game (115th).

Sheldon Edwards leads Loyola-Chicago in scoring, with an average of 12.3 points, while Desmond Watson adds 11.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

Why the Murray State Racers will win

• Loyola (IL) has lost eight of its last nine games played at neutral venues.
• Loyola (IL) has lost the first half in each of its last three day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Loyola Ramblers will win

• Murray State has lost each of its last six games against the Atlantic 10 Conference.
• Loyola (IL) has won each of its last six games against the Missouri Valley Conference at neutral venues.
• Loyola (IL) has won the first half in each of its last seven games against the Missouri Valley Conference at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Loyola (IL)’s last six day games has produced a total of 142+ points.
• Sixteen of Murray State’s last 20 games have produced a total of 140+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Murray State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (7.3).
• Murray State ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (0.56).
• Loyola (IL) ranks 31st among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (17.5).
• Loyola (IL) ranks 40th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (0.76).

Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs Murray State Racers Prediction

In this Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs Murray State Racers Prediction, Loyola-Chicago is coming as -2 road favorites. Loyola-Chicago is better both offensively, scoring 1.9 points more than Murray State, and defensively, allowing 0.7 points less. Both teams have been extremely efficient defensively, as they both rank in the top 75 of the nation, allowing 133.1 points per game combined. Both teams have been involved in lower-scoring games lately, as they are 10-4-1 to the under in their last 15 games combined. I expect another low-scoring affair on Christmas Day, and I’m taking the under the total.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Under 139