NCAA Tournament Predictions: Can Loyola defeat Kansas State? 3/24/18

Loyola vs. Kansas State Pick

Which team will complete a surprising run to the Final Four when No. 11 Loyola takes on No. 9 Kansas State in the NCAA Tournament at 6:09PM ET?

GAME SNAPSHOT

NCAA Tournament South Region: (513) Loyola vs. (514) Kansas State

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Location: Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

TV: TBS, 6:09PM ET

CURRENT ODDS

According to oddsmakers at YouWager, Kansas State is favored in this game, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -1 point against Loyola. The over/under total is currently listed at 126.5 points.

LINE MOVEMENT

The spread opened with Kansas State as a 1-point favorite as well. The spread actually moved to Loyola as a 1-point favorite before it shifted to Kansas State at -1.5. It has since settled in at 1 point. The over/under total opened at 127 points and quickly dipped to 126.5.

Bet on College Basketball for Saturday, March 24, 2018

PUBLIC BETTING INFORMATION

The public is backing Kansas State tonight. As of Saturday morning, the Wildcats are getting 65 percent of the wagers on this game as the slight favorite.

KEY INJURIES

Loyola comes into this game healthy, with nobody listed on the injury report. Kansas State forward Dean Wade is questionable to play tonight due to his foot injury. Wade is averaging 16.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game for K-State. He only logged eight minutes against Kentucky on Thursday.

BETTING STRATEGIES

Kansas State upset the region favorite, Kentucky, on Thursday night with a 61-58 victory despite being a 5-point underdog. The Wildcats are 16-17 against the spread this season and 9-10 against the spread away from home. K-State averages 71.3 points per game on offense while allowing 66.7 per contest.

Loyola continued its improbable run through the tournament on Thursday with a 69-68 victory over Nevada. The Ramblers have won all three games in the bracket despite being an underdog. They have now won 13 straight overall while covering in their last five. Loyola is 22-9-1 against the spread on the season and 15-4-1 ATS away from home. The Ramblers are putting up 71.1 points per game on offense while allowing just 62.2 per contest.

It’s hard to pick against either team here, since both have managed to make it this far as the underdog. When push comes to shove, I like Loyola tonight. The Ramblers have all the confidence in the world and are playing defense at a level that will be hard for Kansas State to overcome. The Wildcats aren’t much of an offense and one of their top offensive players is hindered.

NCAA TOURNAMENT PREDICTIONS: LOYOLA +1

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