NCAA Tournament: Ohio State vs Loyola Chicago 3/18/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Loyola Chicago Ramblers clash Friday in the college basketball NCAA Tournament at the PPG Paints Arena.

The 10-seed Loyola Chicago Ramblers finished their regular season with an overall record of 25-7 and earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament after winning the Missouri Valley Conference Championship. Loyola Chicago earned just the 4-seed in the MVC Championship after finishing conference play with a 13-5 record, however, the Ramblers looked outstanding throughout the tournament and was able to defeat the Drake Bulldogs by a 64-58 margin in the Championship games. Loyola Chicago went 9-2 in their non-conference schedule and picked up some nice wins against Arizona State, DePaul, & Vanderbilt.

On the season, Loyola Chicago is averaging 73.8 ppg on 48.3% shooting from the field. The Ramblers are averaging 8.9 three-pointers per game on 38.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Loyola Chicago has been led by Lucas Williamson (14.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.3 spg), Braden Norris (32.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 2.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.1 spg), Ryan Schwieger (9.2 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.1 apg), & Aher Uguak (9.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.7 apg).

Defensively, Loyola Chicago is holding their opponents to an average of 61.7 ppg on 40.9% shooting from the field. The Ramblers have a rebound margin of 2.9 and a turnover margin of 1.3.

The 7-seed Ohio State Buckeyes finished their regular season with an overall record of 19-11 and punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament by earning an at-large bid. Ohio State earned the 6-seed in the Big Ten Championship after finishing conference play with 12-8 record, however, the Buckeyes could not get out of the 2^nd round after being defeated by the Penn State Nittany Lions by a 71-68 margin. Ohio State was able to defeat some big names this season, which includes Duke, Seton Hall, Wisconsin, & Illinois, however, the Buckeyes have struggled as of late as they come into this game losing 4 of their last 5 games, including a 78-70 home loss to Nebraska.

On the season, Ohio State is averaging 73.8 ppg on 47.4% shooting from the field. The Buckeyes are averaging 8.1 three-pointers per game on 37.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Ohio State has been led by E.J. Liddell (19.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.6 bpg), Malaki Branham (13.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.9 apg), Kyle Young (8.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.3 apg), & Jamari Wheeler (7.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.3 spg).

Defensively, Ohio State is allowing their opponents to average 68.5 ppg on 41.9% shooting from the field. The Buckeyes have a rebound margin of 2.3 and a turnover margin of -0.9.

The Ramblers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, however, are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Loyola Chicago has been great on both sides of the ball this season as the Ramblers come into this game ranked 103^rd in scoring offense, 17^th in FG%, 18^th in scoring defense, & 47^th in defensive FG%. Ohio State has been decent on the offensive end as the Buckeyes come into this game ranked 104^th in scoring offense & 31^st in FG%, however, the defense hasn’t been great Ohio State ranks just 157^th in scoring defense & 244^th in turnover margin.

Ohio State is a solid team, however, the Buckeyes just haven’t been playing well and struggled overall away from home this season, posting just a 5-6 road record & 1-2 neutral site record. Loyola Chicago looked outstanding in the MVC Tournament and between the fact that Loyola Chicago seems to play it’s best basketball during the NCAA Tournament and that I think their defense will give E.J. Liddell and the Buckeyes offense trouble, I’m taking Loyola Chicago to cover this small spread. Good Luck!