Chris Holtmann and the Ohio State Buckeyes take on Drew Valentine and the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Ohio State is the No. 7 seed in the South Region, with Loyola Chicago earning the No. 10 seed. The Buckeyes are 19-11 overall out of the Big Ten, but Ohio State lost four of its final five games prior to the Big Dance. Loyola Chicago won the Missouri Valley Conference title with a 25-7 overall mark and a 16-5 record in conference play.
This 12:15 p.m. ET tipoff is listed as pick'em at Caesars Sportsbook. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over-under, is 133.5 in the latest Ohio State vs. Loyola Chicago odds. Before making any Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State picks, you need to see the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of almost $1,500 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State, and just locked in its picks and March Madness predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several college basketball odds and betting lines for Ohio State vs. Loyola Chicago:
- Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State spread: Pick'em
- Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State over-under: 133.5 points
- Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State money line: Loyola Chicago -110, OSU -110
- LOY: The Ramblers are 6-4 against the spread in non-conference games
- OSU: The Buckeyes are 4-5 against the spread in non-conference games
Why Loyola Chicago can cover
Loyola Chicago's offense is above-average nationally, and the majority of the positive work comes from the team's shooting profile. The Ramblers are No. 7 in the country in shooting efficiency, with Loyola Chicago shooting 38.0 percent on 3-point attempts and 55.8 percent on 2-point attempts this season. Loyola Chicago is also above-average in free-throw creation, and Ohio State ranked only No. 10 in the Big Ten in defensive efficiency.
The Buckeyes are No. 331 in the country in turnover creation rate at 15.5 percent, including a paltry 6.7 percent steal rate, and Ohio State is below-average on the defensive glass. On the other end, Loyola Chicago has superior defensive numbers to Ohio State. The Ramblers are in the top 25 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, including a top-tier defensive rebound rate of 76.1 percent. No team in the Missouri Valley forced a turnover more often than Loyola Chicago (19.7 percent of possessions), and the Ramblers are above-average in block rate, assist rate allowed, 2-point accuracy allowed and 3-point accuracy allowed this season.
Why Ohio State can cover
Ohio State's offense is dynamic, and the Buckeyes have the best player on the floor in E.J. Liddell. The veteran forward is an All-American candidate this season, and Liddell is averaging 19.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Liddell also adds 2.6 blocked shots per contest, and he is converting 37.6 percent of 3-point attempts. With Liddell and a talented supporting cast, the Buckeyes are in the top 15 of the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency.
Ohio State bludgeons opponents with a 28.8 percent offensive rebound rate, and the Buckeyes are strongly above-average in 3-point shooting, 2-point shooting and free-throw shooting. Ohio State also takes care of the ball, committing a turnover on only 16.6 percent of possessions, and the Buckeyes land above the national average in free-throw creation rate. Loyola blocks only 7.3 percent of shots on defense, ranking near the bottom of the country, and the Buckeyes have the edge in physicality and athleticism.
How to make Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, with 12 players projected to score at least seven points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in over 60 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's Ohio State vs. Loyola Chicago pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State? And which side of the spread hits in over 60 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Loyola Chicago vs. Ohio State spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.
