Loyola-Chicago vs Chicago State College Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions 11/16/2021

The Chicago State Cougars and the Loyola Ramblers meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Gentile Arena. Chicago State is 2-0 this year and fresh off a win versus SIU Edwardsville. As for the Ramblers, they’ve got a pair of wins as well. Loyola took out FGCU in their last outing. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Chicago State played just well enough to fend off the University of St. Thomas in their opener. The Cougars had a slim 33-32 edge at halftime and turned it into a 77-72 win. Brandon Betson was the top scorer with 22 points, four assists and two rebounds. 

Chicago State had an easier time in their second matchup against SIU Edwardsville. After a 40-33 edge in the second half, the Cougars ended up with a 67-56 victory. Bryce Johnson was the lead scorer in that one with 17 points and two boards. 

Over on the Loyola side, their first matchup of the year was against Coppin State. The Ramblers held the opposition to just 19 first-half points, causing to a 103-45 blowout win. Aher Uguak topped the team on 16 points, two rebounds and two assists. 

Game two against Florida Gulf Coast wasn’t quite such a blowout for Loyola, but still a big win. After a 51-33 advantage in the first half the Ramblers ended up with an 89-77 result. Uguak was again the team’s lead scorer on 18 points four rebounds and three assists. 

The Ramblers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven at home and 5-2 ATS in their last seven after a straight-up win. Loyola is 6-2 ATS in their last eight overall. 

Meanwhile, the Cougars are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 after an ATS win and 8-21 ATS in the last 29 road games. Chicago State is 1-4 ATS in their last five Tuesday games.

PICK: I’m going to stick with Loyola but not going near this one. That line is too thick to mess with. The Ramblers have put up two pretty dominant performances so far and are cruising along well. Loyola shot 53.2 percent from the field against FGCU, collecting 40 rebounds and 23 team assists along the way. 

As for Chicago State, I don’t expect them to lie down in this one, at least not initially. The Cougars have gotten stronger in the second half in their two games so far, so Loyola is going to need to keep the pressure on for the full game. It’ll be an interesting matchup, that’s for sure.