None of the top seeds want to get upset by a lower-ranked for in the first round in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, but it is bound to happen a few times. The No. 6 Miami Hurricanes could be one of the teams in jeopardy as they are just a small favorite to knock off the No. 11-seeded Loyola-Chicago Ramblers.
Miami is ranked No. 22 in the country and did well in a tough ACC conference, so it will enter with confidence. However, Loyola-Chicago was the class of the MVC conference and has the type of team that is capable of giving the Hurricanes all they can handle.
This is one of the most intriguing first-round games, and those choosing Miami to go deep in March Madness could have their bracket busted if the Ramblers are able to come away with the victory. Loyola-Chicago is a nice choice as a Cinderella.
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Odds Analysis
Miami is listed as just a 1.5-point favorite despite being a much higher seed. More than 55 percent of the action is on the Ramblers to cover, and many believe they will win this contest straight up. The scoring total for this matchup is listed at 134 points, with the “under” the more popular choice.
The Hurricanes are 22-9 straight up and 12-17 against the spread. Miami has covered in half of its six neutral court games on the year. The Hurricanes are 7-12 against the spread as the favorite on the season.
Loyola-Chicago is 28-5 straight up and 21-10 against the spread. The Ramblers have done well on neutral courts, covering in four of five games. Loyola-Chicago has only been the underdog five times on the year and has covered in four of them.
Key Stat
33. That’s how many years it has been since Loyola-Chicago has made the NCAA Tournament. And, even though none of the team’s players were even alive when that last appearance occured in 1985, the significance of this team’s success will not be lost on any of them.
The Ramblers have an uphill battle, but will certainly be among the feel-good stories of the tournament that fans love to root for. The team pulled off an impressive upset against Florida in Loyola-Chicago’s one and only meeting against a ranked opponent this year.
The Ramblers defeated the Gators, then ranked No. 5 in the nation, 65-59 on December 6th behind 23 points from senior forward Aundre Jackson. Loyola-Chicago has a solid defense all year long, but also saw a strong performance for its offense in that win, and that kind of effort on both sides of the ball will be what it takes for the team to move ahead in the tournament.
Injury Report
Bruce Brown Jr. — Miami coach Jim Larranaga confirmed last week that his star sophomore guard will
miss the NCAA Tournament. Brown suffered a left foot injury in late January and although there was some hope of getting him back for the big dance, the Hurricanes will have to find a way to win without him.
Since Brown went down with the injury, Miami has gone 7-4. He was the team’s leading rebounder and also averaged 11.4 points and four assists per game.
Fellow sophomore Dewan Huell and freshman Lonnie Walker IV will be looked upon to carry the load with Brown out. The duo combines for 22.9 points per game with Huell averaging 6.6 rebounds per contest.
Free NCAA ATS Picks
Loyola-Chicago showed its worth against Florida, and Brown’s injury will give it a golden chance of pulling the upset. Take the Rambles to win this game and move on to the next round as one of the double-digit seeded Cinderellas.
Loyola-Chicago is the pick in NCAA basketball betting lines to not just cover the spread but come away with the upset, so consider jumping on the Ramblers on the moneyline.
NCAA Odds: Loyola-Chicago 74, Miami 72
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