College Basketball Betting Previews: Loyola Primed For Revenge vs. Missouri State

Missouri State Bears at Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

• Spread: Loyola-Chicago -6
• Over/Under: N/A
• Time: 4 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPNU

Missouri State (14-12) sits at 8-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference but has feasted on weaker teams since its 70-35 home win over Loyola-Chicago on Jan. 23. The Bears are 10-2 at home but only 4-8 in true road games, and just 4-9 ATS on the road.

Loyola-Chicago (16-10) will be highly motivated for payback. The Ramblers were held to just four field goals in the second half of that loss to the Bears. They are a perfect 6-0 at home in conference play, too.

Missouri State is extremely vulnerable from beyond the arc. The Bears rank 352nd overall defending the 3P, allowing opponents to shoot a blistering average of 40.9%. Within the conference, they are dead last against the 3P allowing an even worse 41.3%.

The key difference since their first meeting is the improvement of Loyola-Chicago's offensive efficiency.  In Missouri Valley Conference play, the Ramblers rank first in the following categories:  adjusted offensive efficiency, effective field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, and 2-point percentage. Their offense is operating at an efficiency level that rivals last year's magical Final Four run.

The Ramblers complement their offensive efficiency with the best defensive rebounding efficiency in the nation. They rank first overall with only a 21.1% offensive rebounding rate allowed.

Senior Marques Townes (15.3 ppg) is having the best year of his college career. He has scored in double-digits for 14 consecutive games and is shooting 38.6% from 3-point range.  Sophomore center Cameron Krutwig (14.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg) has three double-doubles in his last five games.

This game has all the ingredients of a big Loyola-Chicago win. Superior offensive efficiency, great rebounding, home court dominance, and strong motivation.  Take the Ramblers in a prime payback spot at home against the Bears.

THE PICK:  Loyola-Chicago -6