Northern Iowa vs Loyola-Chicago 2/26/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers will travel to the McLeod Center to take on the Northern Iowa Panthers this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers won their 2^nd straight game and improved to 22-6 on the season after defeating the Evansville Purple Aces, 82-31, this past Wednesday. Loyola Chicago overwhelmed Evansville on both ends of the court from the opening whistle and easily cruised to victory in the 2^nd half after going into halftime with a 41-12 lead. Loyola Chicago shot 62.0% from the field & 44.4% from beyond the arc while holding Evansville to just 25.6% from the field & 23.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Ramblers was Aher Uguak who had 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, & 3 steals.

On the season, Loyola Chicago is averaging 73.9 ppg on 48.9% 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 (13.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.3 spg), Braden Norris (10.0 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.1 spg), Aher Uguak (9.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.8 apg), & Ryan Schwieger (8.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.2 apg).

Defensively, Loyola Chicago is holding their opponents to an average of 61.5 ppg on 41.7% shooting from the field. The Ramblers have a rebound margin of 2.7 and a turnover margin of 1.8.

The Northern Iowa Panthers won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 13-4 on the season after defeating the Indiana State Sycamores, 88-82, this past Wednesday night. Northern Iowa was outstanding on the offensive end against Indiana State and was able to hold off the Sycamores after taking a 74-67 lead with 6:20 left in regulation. Northern Iowa shot 58.6% from the field & 50.0% from beyond the arc while allowing Indiana State to shoot 57.1% from the field & 41.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Panthers was Noah Carter who had 19 points, 6 rebounds, & 4 assists.

On the season, Northern Iowa is averaging 74.4 ppg on 46.4% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 8.6 three-pointers per game on 35.6% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Northern Iowa has been led by AJ Green (18.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.2 apg), Noah Carter (14.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.6 apg), Trae Berhow (10.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.0 apg), & Nate Heise (9.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 spg).

Defensively, Northern Iowa is allowing their opponents to average 69.9 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of 1.3 and a turnover margin of 0.8.

The Panthers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games & 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win. The Ramblers are 0-6-2 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games & 9-14-4 ATS overall on the season.

Loyola Chicago has been outstanding on both ends of the court this season as the Ramblers come into this game ranked 108^th in scoring offense, 9^th in FG%, 12^th in 3P-FG%, & 16^th in scoring defense. Northern Iowa has been led by their offense which ranks 99^th in scoring offense & 61^st in FG%, however, the Panthers have struggled defensively as they come into this game ranked just 205^th in scoring defense & 271^st in defensive FG%.

Northern Iowa has no answers on either end of the court against Loyola Chicago earlier this season in a 85-58 road loss, however, the Panthers have been playing some outstanding basketball as of late and certainly has the talent to matchup with Loyola Chicago. The Ramblers made quick work of Evansville, however, the Ramblers have struggled a bit more as of late which includes losses to Bradley & Drake and as I think Northern Iowa has success on their home court against Loyola Chicago, I’m taking the Panthers and the points. Good Luck!