Our Georgia Tech vs Loyola Chicago pick has the Ramblers at -3.5 (-101), while the Yellow Jackets can be found at +3.5 (-109). This 2021 NCAA Men’s Tournament Round of 64 contest could certainly be nip and tuck. In 2021, Georgia Tech finished fourth in the ACC and then went on to win their conference tournament by beating FSU 80-75. For their last five games, they are 5-0. The Loyola Chicago Ramblers, who’ve won five of their last five contests, finished first in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Ramblers beat Drake in the MVC Finals 75-65 to take the tournament crown. The Yellow Jackets and Ramblers will meet on Friday, March 19 at 4:00 pm ET. The game will be held at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Our Drexel vs Illinois pick can be found here.
Georgia Tech vs Loyola Chicago Pick – Stats
On paper, these two teams look to be evenly matched except in two areas, point production and field goal percentage. In points per game, the Jackets are better than the Ramblers by four, 75.5 to 71.5. However, on the other side of the ledger, when it comes to field goal success rate, Loyola Chicago is at 50.5%, while Georgia Tech comes in at 47.4%. Additionally, the Rambler are a tad higher when it comes for three-point percentage (36.8 to 34.9), while the Yellow Jackets are better on steals (9.2 to 6.9).
Key Players
Georgia Tech forward Moses Wright is an all-around player. Wright leads the team with 17.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 1.6 BPG. He’s shooting 53.2% from the floor, while also hitting threes at the rate of 41.4%. Along with Wright, the Yellow Jackets look to three guards, Jose Alvarado, Michael Devoe, and Jordan Usher, for point production. Alvarado and Devoe are each averaging 15.0 PPG, while Usher is contributing 11.5. Together, the trio is recording 10.2 APG and 12.1 RPG.
Loyola Chicago center Cameron Krutwig tops the team in points per game with 15.0 and rebounds with 6.7. A 58% shooter, Krutwig is also averaging 3.0 APG, 1.2 BPG, and 1.1 SPG. Also, in the paint, forward Aher Uguak is knocking in 62.9% of his field goals and 35.3% of his three-pointers. He’s good for 7.6 PPG and 4.1 RPG. In the backcourt, Lucas Williamson and Braden Norris combine for 5.0 APG. Each is averaging just over eight points per game and both are hitting 43% of their field goal attempts. Norris is shooting 40% from downtown.
Georgia Tech vs Loyola Chicago Pick – Final Thoughts
Our Georgia Tech vs Loyola Chicago pick likes the Ramblers at -3.5 (-101). Although the Yellow Jackets are averaging four more points per game than Loyola Chicago, they make up for that deficit with their stellar field goal percentage. Look for there to be a major battle in the paint, while threes fly from downtown.
#9 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs #8 Loyola Chicago Ramblers
Loyola Chicago Ramblers at -3.5 (-101)
