In this article, we will formulate a San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago prediction for this College Basketball game on Sunday, March 23 at the War Memorial at the Sobrato Center, in San Francisco, CA. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this game in the 2nd Round of the NIT. The winner of this game will meet Stanford or Kent State in the quarterfinals.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers Betting Preview
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (23-11, 17-16 ATS) concluded the regular season with seven wins in eight games; the only loss came to Saint Louis, who was eliminated in the first round of this tournament. The Ramblers secured the No. 4 seed for the A-10 tourney and got revenge for that loss to Saint Louis but couldn’t match VCU in the semis and lost 62-55. In the first round at the NIT, Loyola Chicago edged out San Jose State 73-70 on the road.
Loyola Chicago is averaging 73.5 PPG (200th) and is allowing 68.7 PPG (77th). The Ramblers are getting 35.7 RPG (182nd) and dish out 15.9 APG (54th). Des Watson is the team’s top performer with 13.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 1.4 SPG. Jayden Dawson has 13.0 PPG, 3.1 RPG, and 1.1 SPG, while Sheldon Edwards Jr. contributes 12.0 PPG and 3.6 RPG.
San Francisco Dons Betting Preview
The San Francisco Dons (25-9, 18-14-1 ATS) played well late in the regular season as they recorded seven wins in nine games; both defeats came to Gonzaga. The Dons entered the WCC tournament as the No. 3 seed and beat Washington State in the quarterfinals, but once again, Gonzaga was their kryptonite and stopped them in the semis. San Francisco was better than Utah State in the first round of the NIT.
San Francisco averages 76.0 PPG (121st) and allows 68.9 PPG (81st). The Dons are 201st in rebounds (35.4) and 184th in assists (13.8). Malik Thomas leads the team with 19.4 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, and a team-high 1.7 SPG. Marcus Williams follows him with 15.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, a team-high 4.3 APG, and 1.5 SPG, while Tyrone Riley IV chips in 9.6 PPG, a team-high 6.0 RPG, and 1.2 SPG.
Why San Francisco will beat Loyola Chicago
- San Francisco has won each of its last 21 games at War Memorial at the Sobrato Center against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Loyola (IL) has lost three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Loyola (IL)’s last eight Sunday day games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
- Seven of San Francisco’s last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 145+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- San Francisco ranks T27th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.5).
- San Francisco ranks 40th among Division 1 teams for opponent assist-to-turnover ratio this season (0.89).
San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago Prediction
These teams have met on four occasions so far and Loyola Chicago leads the series 3-1, but San Francisco won the most recent H2H when it was 76-66 in December 2024, handing Loyola the only home defeat of the season. So, the Dons already beat the Ramblers this year and I am backing them to do it again, this time at home where they have a fantastic 17-1 record. San Francisco has covered the Spread in 9 of its last 11 games, while Loyola Chicago has only covered the Spread in 17 of its previous 34 games. Go with San Francisco to win and cover.