The calendar is set to flip to March on Friday, and there is a massive college basketball game on the schedule to kick things off. The best game of the night will feature the Dayton Flyers visiting the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in a huge battle in the Atlantic-10 Conference.
Dayton is coming into this game having won three of their last four games, and they are sitting at 22-5 on the season. The Flyers are not currently leading the Atlantic-10 Conference, but they are ranked at number 21 in the most recent poll.
Loyola Chicago has made a successful move to the A-10, as they are currently sitting in a tie with Dayton in second place in this conference. The Ramblers have gone 20-8 through the first 28 games of the year, including winning four of their last five games.
Despite playing this game on the road, the Dayton Flyers are coming into this matchup as a 1.5-point betting favorite.
Dayton Winning With Defense
The Dayton Flyers have been able to win games in a number of different ways this season, but they want to set the tone on defense. Dayton is holding opponents to just 64.6 points per game, and that has been a trend of late.
The Flyers have some athletic players up and down this roster, and they will look to put some pressure on Loyola throughout the game. That’s not to say that the Flyers can’t win this game on offense as they are scoring 74 points per game this season.
Forward DaRon Holmes II is having a big season for the Flyers as he is leading the team with 20 points per game. Dayton will score points in the paint, but the Flyers must also shoot the ball well.
Ramblers Looking to Run
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers have put together an aggressive roster, and they will try to run to some easy baskets in this game. The Ramblers are scoring right around 74 points per game, and they tend to get great shots on every possession.
Forward Philip Alston leads a very balanced attack for this team as he is scoring 12.8 points per game. It won’t be easy to score on this Dayton defense, but the Ramblers have the ability to shoot well.
This team has also kept opponents to just 67.6 points per game, and that will be something to watch in this matchup.
Flyers Get it Done
This game will be played in front of an electric atmosphere at Loyola Chicago, and that crowd should be able to give the home team a boost in this game. Loyola will be trying to get some quick buckets in this game, but that’s not going to be easy to do.
Dayton is going to find a way to set the tone on defense in this game, and their physical play will let them take control. The Flyers have proven that they can win games anywhere, and they won’t be intimidated by the environment in this game.
Bet the Dayton Flyers at -1.5 in this game as they are going to pick up an impressive road win to keep pace in the A-10 race.
