The Loyola Chicago Ramblers take on the VCU Rams in Richmond, VA. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
VCU is favored by 20.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -6600. The total is set at 151.5 points.
Here’s my Loyola Chicago vs. VCU predictions and college basketball picks for January 30, 2026.
Loyola Chicago vs VCU Prediction
My Pick: Loyola Chicago +20.5
My Loyola Chicago vs VCU best bet is on the Ramblers to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Loyola Chicago vs. VCU Odds
| Loyola Chicago Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+20.5 -110 | 151.5 -110o / -110u | +1650 |
| VCU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-20.5 -110 | 151.5 -110o / -110u | -6600 |
- Loyola Chicago vs VCU spread: VCU -20.5
- Loyola Chicago vs VCU over/under: 151.5 points
- Loyola Chicago vs VCU moneyline: Loyola Chicago +1650, VCU -6600
Loyola Chicago vs VCU College Basketball Betting Preview
Loyola Chicago has been a massive disappointment this season, sitting at 5-17 overall and 1-8 in Atlantic 10 play despite being picked to finish fifth in the league standings in the preseason.
Now Drew Valentine and the Ramblers have to head on the road to the Siegel Center, the most difficult road venue in the conference and one of the most notable home court advantages nationally.
The Rams have two league losses and trail Saint Louis and George Mason in the standings, so the motivation is obviously clear from their standpoint.
However, will they cover what is a rather large spread?
Our Evan Abrams has a system on Sports Insights that says the pick is actually on the Ramblers ATS in this A-10 affair.
That system — "Betting the Bad" — has a 2% return on investment (ROI) historically and a strong 19% ROI this season alone.
In college basketball, teams that have struggled against the spread and are coming off a decisive loss (Loyola was obliterated by Saint Joe's on Tuesday) often become undervalued by the market, particularly when facing large double-digit spreads.
After repeated poor performances, oddsmakers tend to overadjust, creating opportunities for teams to outperform expectations even without winning outright.
The combination of public bias against losing teams and the natural tendency for effort and variance to stabilize makes these spots profitable over time.
By backing teams that appear to be playing poorly but are priced at their lowest point, this system identifies where perception has drifted too far from performance reality, leading to consistent value against inflated lines.
My Pick: Loyola Chicago +20.5
