Loyola Chicago vs San Francisco Prediction 3/23/25 College Basketball Picks

The Loyola Ramblers and the San Francisco Dons meet Sunday in NIT college basketball action from War Memorial Gym. Here’s a Loyola vs San Francisco prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Loyola vs San Francisco pick. We will examine: 

The Loyola Ramblers recent form and player performance

The San Francisco Dons recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Loyola Ramblers

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the San Francisco Dons

Recent betting trends in games played between Loyola and San Francisco

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

Loyola Ramblers Betting Preview

Loyola had a spotty run going in December and January, but outside of that they’ve done fairly well record-wise this year. The Ramblers fell to San Francisco, Oakland, Charleston, Murray State, VCU, Saint Joseph’s, Dayton and George Mason during a 12-game stretch in the middle of the season, but then won six of the next seven. Those victories were over Saint Joseph’s, Saint Bonaventure, Richmond, Saint Louis, Davidson, Dayton and George Washington. After a loss to Saint Louis and wins over Davidson and UMass to finish out the regular season, Loyola beat Saint Louis in the conference tournament before falling to VCU. After a win over San Jose State on Wednesday, the Ramblers now have a 23-11 overall record. 

In the San Jose State matchup, Loyola entered the second half with a 42-35 advantage. The Ramblers were outscored 35-31 the rest of the way but held on for the tight 73-70 win. Leading the team in scoring was Des Watson with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists. Miles Rubin added 14 points with seven rebounds and two assists alongside two blocks. Tops off the bench was Jalen Quinn with nine points and two rebounds in 20 minutes. 

San Francisco Dons Betting Preview

Over on the San Francisco side, they looked pretty great for most of the year. The Dons opened on a 9-2 stretch, then hit a 5-3 run with wins over Montana, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara, Pacific and Portland. A 6-2 stretch came next with wins over Pepperdine, Oregon State, San Diego, Washington State, Saint Mary’s and Loyola Marymount, then wins over San Diego, Pacific and Oregon State. After a win over Washington State in the conference tournament, the Dons fell to Gonzaga on March 10. Next came a win over Utah Valley on Wednesday for a 25-9 overall run so far this year. 

In the Utah Valley matchup, the Dons scored 37 points in the first half and 42 more from there during a 79-70 win. Leading the team in production was Malik Thomas with a double-double on 21 points and 10 boards. Ryan Beasley added 19 points with six assists as well, and Carlton Linguard had 18 points with six boards. 

Why the San Francisco Dons will win

• San Francisco has won each of its last 21 games at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Loyola (IL) has lost three of its last four games against non-Conference opponents.

Why the Loyola Ramblers will win

• Loyola (IL) has won nine of its last 11 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Loyola (IL)’s last eight Sunday day games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Seven of San Francisco’s last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 145+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• San Francisco ranks T27th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.5).
• San Francisco ranks 40th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist to turnover ratio this season (0.89).

Loyola vs San Francisco Prediction 

I’ll stay with San Francisco. The Dons didn’t play terribly versus a good Utah Valley team in their last outing, shooting 44.6 percent from the field with 41 rebounds and 15 team assists. The free throw shooting (9-of-15 for 60 percent) could have been better though, and San Francisco coughed up 12 turnovers for 14 Wolverines points. The Dons have been good against all comers lately—outside of Gonzaga. San Francisco’s last three defeats have come at the hands of the Bulldogs. Otherwise they haven’t lost a game since January 23 (Saint Mary’s). 

As for Loyola, they shot well in their win over San Jose State with 49.1 percent from the field alongside a 38-31 rebounding edge. The Ramblers got pretty sloppy ball-control-wise though, giving away 15 turnovers for 20 Spartans points. Loyola should be competitive here if all goes well, but I like San Francisco to keep rolling and power one out in the end.