Inspired by a 98-year old nun named Sister Jean, Loyola of Chicago has emerged as Cinderella. Nevada put on the glass slippers as well with a 22-point comeback win for the ages. However, Midnight is going to strike for one of these teams on Thursday night. Nevada faces Loyola of Chicago in a challenging handicap with the college basketball betting line. March Madness is all about story lines such as these. Upset wins and miracle comebacks are what make it so special. Conversely the end of such a run to glory is quite painful for the losers.
#11 Loyola-Chicago vs. #7 Nevada
Date and Time: Thursday, March 22, 2018, 6:07 p.m. Eastern
Location: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
NCAA Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola Chicago | +1½ (-110) | 143 (-110) |  |
| Nevada | -1½ (-110) | 143 (-110) | |
| |||
Ramblers vs. Wolf Pack TV Coverage: CBS
Nevada
Nevada was regular season champion of the Mountain West Conference. On the season they are 29-7 straight up. Against the college basketball betting line, the Wolf Pack lost just 14 of 35 times. Under the total hit in just 15 of those tilts. Emphasis on offense is what makes Nevada go. Scoring wise they rank 16th in the nation. Offsetting that is a defense that ranks 193rd in the country. On average the Wolf Pack outscores opponents by an average of 83-73 per game. So far in the tournament they have posted two upset wins over Texas And Cincinnati.
Most noteworthy was Nevada’s stunning comeback over Cincinnati. Trailing by 22 points in the second half the Wolf Pack rallied for a jaw dropping 75-73 shocker. Songs about never counting the money until the dealing is done come to mind.
Loyola of Chicago
Loyola of Chicago won both the regular season and tournament championships of the Missouri Valley Conference. Miami was their first victim 64-62 in the round of 64. Tennessee was then upset by the five-point dog Ramblers 63-62. Lost in the current Sweet Sixteen hype is that Loyola won the 1963 National Championship. Incredibly enough they have not been in the Big Dance since 2018. Opposite of Nevada, Loyola has the fifth ranked defense in the country. Offensively they rank only 230th. Per game they outscore opponents 72-62.
Big Names on Court
Andre Jackson was key for Loyola’s online betting win over Tennessee with 16 points. UT was held to just 45 percent shooting from the floor. Four different Ramblers were in double figures against Miami. Cody Martin of Nevada had the hot hand with 25 points in the comeback win over Cincy. Kendell Stephens pumped in 22 points for the Wolf Pack in their first-round win over Texas.
Matchup to Watch
This matchup with the college basketball betting line is what makes the tournament so popular. Not one but two Cinderella teams meeting with the season on the line. Contrasting styles of play also enhance the intrigue. Nevada’s high-flying offense against the Ramblers tough defense. Loyola-Chicago is greater than the sum of its parts. Operating in the Missouri Valley they get overlooked. Same goes for Nevada in the Mountain West. In summary, “Defense wins championships” and “travels well”
Ramblers vs. Wolf Pack NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
Loyola of Chicago is the pick based on their suffocating defense.
NCAA Betting Online Pick: Loyola of Chicago
NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Ramblers 66, Wolf Pack 63
Check out highlights of Sister Jean and Loyola-Chicago and their path to the Sweet Sixteen!