The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers have become the latest Cinderella in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, knocking off two higher seeds to make it to the Sweet Sixteen. They will aim to make a surprising run to the Elite Eight next time out in a matchup against the No. 7 seed Nevada Wolf Pack.
Nevada is a fellow smaller-conference power that knocked off a high seed in the Round of 32. While one of these dreams will end on Thursday, both teams have to be feeling good about their chances at advancing to the Elite Eight. The Wolf Pack enter this game as slight favorites but the NCAA basketball spread is small enough that the oddsmakers believe it could go either way.
The nation will be rooting for Loyola-Chicago as it tries to become one of the rare teams to make it all the way to the Elite Eight and maybe beyond out of the MVC Conference.
Don't miss the hardwood action from Bridgestone Arena at 7:07 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 22, 2018. Catch every moment of the game live on CBS.
We'll have NCAA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NCAA Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
Nevada is listed as a 1.5-point favorite to win this game, and the money is coming in almost exactly evenly on each side of the spread. Loyola-Chicago is a +110 underdog while Nevada is the -130 favorite, and once again about 50 percent of the action in on each team. The scoring total is listed at 143.5 points, with about 53 percent of the action on the “under.”
The Wolf Pack is 29-7 straight up and 18-15-3 against the spread. Nevada has gone 3-3-1 against the spread at neutral sites this season, covering in each of the first two March Madness games. The Wolf Pack 15-12-3 against the spread as the favorite this season.
Loyola-Chicago is 30-5 straight up and 23-10 against the spread. The Ramblers have done a great job on a neutral court, covering in six of seven attempts and pulling off the two upsets in the tournament. Loyola-Chicago is 6-1 against the spread as the underdog on the season.
Last Time Out
Loyola-Chicago advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in dramatic fashion as Clayton Custer hit a jumped in the final seconds for a 63-62 victory over No. 3 seed Tennessee. The Ramblers had a four-point lead at halftime and the game was close throughout. The Ramblers have won their two tournament games by a combined nine points after knocking off Miami 64-62 in the first round. Loyola-Chicago was given a nice seed for a small conference power by the selection committee and has proven it deserved it.
Nevada is here after rallying from a huge deficit to shock Cincinnati, 75-73. The Wolf Pack erased a 22-point deficit in the final 11 minutes to stun the Bearcats. Nevada’s Josh Hall scored the go-ahead bucket with under 10 seconds remaining to complete the incredible rally.
Player To Watch
Clayton Custer —The Loyola-Chicago junior guard has been a key piece in March Madness and will need to continue to play well. He is averaging 13.3 points, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game on the season, shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 46.0 percent from three-point range.
Custer hit 4-of-5 shots from the field including the game-winner against Tennessee and similar efficiency in this matchup would be a big boost for Loyola-Chicago. Nevada will have a few days to install a game plan and try to slow down Custer, forcing some of the other Ramblers to beat the Wolf Pack.
Free NCAA ATS Picks
Loyola-Chicago is a great story and this is not going to be the final chapter. Take the Ramblers to pull yet another upset, although this will be a small one based on the spread. Loyola-Chicago will advance to the Elite Eight by knocking off Nevada in NCAA basketball betting lines.
NCAA Odds: Loyola-Chicago 83, Nevada 77
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