Loyola-Chicago vs. Illinois Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The Round of 32 Sunday tips-off with an in-state battle, as the No. 8 seed Loyola (Illinois) Ramblers face off with the No. 1 seed Illinois Fighting Illini for a sport in the Sweet 16. The Ramblers took care Georgia Tech on Friday with a 71-60 win, while the Fighting Illini made an opening statement with a 78-49 dub over Drexel.
Tip-off Sunday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse is set for 12:10 p.m. EST.
Loyola-Chicago vs. Illinois Point Spread and Betting
Both teams are coming in to Sunday’s match on lengthy win streaks. The Ramblers have rallied off seven in a row, the Illini one better at eight straight wins. With one team’s season ending Sunday, oddsmakers have listed Illinois as a seven-point favourite with the total at 133.5.
Loyola held a 30-17 advantage in rebounding on Friday, as Georgia Tech was without star forward Moses Wright due to COVID-19 protocols. The boards won’t come as easy against an Illinois team that corralled 40 on Friday, which was right on pace for their 40.4 a game this season that ranked ninth in the country.
This game also features two teams that ranked in the top 10 in field goal percentage in the nation, and two top-45 ranked three-point shooting teams.
Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
A season-high 21 points from senior guard Lucas Williamson led all scorers in the Ramblers’ win over the Yellow Jackets Friday. Three-point specialist Braden Norris knocked down four treys on seven attempts for 16 points, dishing out eight assists too. It was a quieter afternoon for Cameron Krutwig, Loyola’s leading scorer and rebounder, who played 28 minutes and scored 10 points on four-of-six shots from the field.
The positive side is Krutwig should be fresh for Sunday against a Fighting Illini team that eats in the paint. Loyola ranked in the top 15 in defensive rebounds per game this season and they’ll need everything they can get Sunday.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Friday’s Round of 64 win was essentially a warm-up for the Illini, who shot 57 per cent from the field and looked as dominate as anyone to open the tournament. Ayo Dosunmu picked a double-double with 17 points and 11 boards, while big man Kofi Cockburn lead the club with 18 points on eight-of-11 shooting during 20 minutes played.
Cockburn, the All-American who lead Illinois with 9.5 rebounds a game, should be well-rested too after a lighter opening game — making for a great matchup down low with the Ramblers’ Krutwig.
