Georgia Tech vs. Loyola-Chicago Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
-
Nik Kowalski
The Loyola Ramblers getting seeded as low as eighth in the Midwest was a surprise to many, and it’s given the Ramblers a red-hot opponent in the Round of 64: the reigning ACC champion Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Loyola (24-4) is back in the March Madness stakes for the first since 2018, which you might recall featured a Final Four run as an 11-seed with Sister Jean cheering them on courtside. The Yellow Jackets (17-8) are dancing for the first time since 2010, coming in winners of eight straight. Tip-off in Indianapolis is scheduled for 4 p.m. EST.
Georgia Tech vs. Loyola NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Not only have the Yellow Jackets won all eight of their last appearances, but they’re on a remarkable 8-1 ATS run. As a 2.5-point underdog Friday Georgia Tech will be looking to not only cover but win as a dog, something they did six times in 12 attempts this season.
With the total pegged at 126.5, there could be some value on the over. It’s only a 6-1 run in the last 7 Loyola games at a neutral site, and a 4-1 run in Georgia Tech’s last five overall. The Ramblers are also are a top-10 three-point shooting team and top-20 shooting tam overall, although Georgia Tech averaged more points per game this season with 75 to Loyola’s 71.
(9) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets are led by a pair of seniors: forward Moses Wright and guard Jose Alvarado. The two fourth-year Yellow Jackets were the top scorers on the team’s roster, both posting career highs in the process. Wright averaged 17.4 a night, Alvarado 15.3.
They also contributed for over one-third of Georgia Tech’s 12 steals per game, which ranked fourth in the country. Alvarado was extremely feisty with an even three steals a night. Guards Michael Devoe and Jordan Usher also managed to average double-digits on the season, scoring 15.1 and 11.5 points a game respectively.
(8) Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
For the most part, the 2018 Loyola gang is all back. And yes, that includes Sister Jean who has been recently vaccinated and will join Loyola in Indianapolis. The Ramblers are coming off a Missouri Valley Conference title, riding fourth-year centre Cameron Krutwig’s success along the way.
The 6’9 centre averaged 15 and six for Loyola, nearly double the points and rebounds of any other Rambler. Krutwig did it all for the Ramblers in 2020–21, except make a three-pointer. That’s plenty OK for this seventh-ranked Loyola from the arc, led by Keith Clemons shooting 46.7 from deep and Braden Norris and Lucas Williamson both cashing 40 three-pointers.
GT
L-IL