The No. 11 Loyola Chicago Ramblers (32-5) go head-to-head against the No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (32-7) in the Final Four at Alamodome. The game is scheduled to start at 6:09 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31, 2018.
Michigan opened as a 5-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 129 points.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Prediction
In the Elite Eight, the Ramblers beat the No. 9 Kansas State Wildcats, 78-62. Loyola Chicago’s 0.319 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Kansas State, who had a mark of 0.152. The Ramblers’ mark was above their season average of 0.229, while the Wildcats’ was below their season average of 0.251. With 23 points on 7-for-10 shooting, Ben Richardson was the top scorer from either team.
The Wolverines were victorious over the No. 9 Florida State Seminoles in the Elite Eight, 58-54. Michigan’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Florida State. The Wolverines had a rate of 15.6 (worse than their season average of 12.4), while the Seminoles posted a mark of 20.1 (above their season average of 15.5). Charles Matthews was the game’s leading scorer with 17 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of Michigan takes on the stingy defense of Loyola Chicago. The Wolverines rank 34th in offensive efficiency, while the Ramblers are 11th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Ramblers, who rank 332nd in offensive rebounding percentage (22.6 percent), will clash against the Wolverines, who rank 42nd in defensive rebounding percentage (74.9 percent).
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Michigan Wolverines Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Michigan, ATS Winner – Michigan, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Michigan ranks 65th in three pointers attempted per game (24.6) while Loyola Chicago ranks 263rd (18.6).
The Wolverines rank fourth in steals allowed per game (4.2) while the Ramblers rank 180th (6.5).
Michigan ranks 157th in blocks per game (3.2) while Loyola Chicago ranks 228th (2.4).
The Ramblers rank eighth in rebounds allowed per game (30.3) while the Wolverines rank 72nd (32.9).
Loyola Chicago ranks 36th in assists per game (15.9) while Michigan ranks 97th (14.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Ramblers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, down from 9.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wolverines have scored an average of 71.4 points per game (2.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 60.4 points per game (2.7 below their season average).
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