NCAA Tournament 2021 – #12 Oregon State Beavers (19-12) vs #8 Loyola Chicago Ramblers (26-4)
Can Beavers Handle Deep Rambler Team?
Our Oregon State vs Loyola Chicago pick has the Ramblers as the favorite. The best point spread for Loyola Chicago is -6.5 (-113). As far as the underdog Beavers are concerned, you’ll find them at +7.0 (-110). Oregon State comes to this 2021 NCAAM Tournament Sweet 16 Midwest Region contest by beating the #5 Tennessee Volunteers 70-56 in Round One and then by taking down the #4 Oklahoma State Cowboys 80-70. In Round One of the Big Dance, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers took out the #9 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 71-60. In Round Two, the Ramblers met the #1 Illinois Fighting Illini, beating them 71-58.
The Beavers and Ramblers will meet on Saturday, March 27 at 12:40 pm ET. The game will be held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. Also, see our other Midwest Region Sweet 16 pick for Saturday, as the #11 Syracuse Orange take on the #2 Houston Cougars at 9:55 pm ET. That game will be played at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN
Oregon State vs Loyola Chicago Pick – Stats
Although these teams are fairly equal in most statistical categories, the Ramblers are better when it comes to points allowed, 59.0 to 63.0. Loyola Chicago also possesses a higher field-goal success rate, 50.4% to 43.6%. Both teams are averaging about 71 PPG, 33 RPB, and 15 APG give or take. Although both teams are good on about 35% of their threes, the Beavers are better from the foul line. Oregon State is completing 75.8% of their free throw atempts, while the Ramblers are hitting 72.3%.
Key Players
The top point producers for the Beavers are guards Ethan Thompson and Jarod Lucas. Thompson is averaging 15.6 PPG, while Lucas is scoring 13.0 PPG. Thompson, the playmaker, is dishing off 3.8 APG, while Lucas is good on 38.0% of his field goals and 39.0% of his threes. In front, forward Warith Alatishe is a force on offense and defense. Alatishe, a 51.1% shooter, is averaging 9.5 PPG and 8.6 RPG. He’s making 1.5 BPG and 1.2 SPG.
For Loyola Chicago, center Cameron Krutwig leads the team with 15.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and a 57.6% field-goal success rate. He’s recording 1.1 BPG and 1.2 SPG. Also, in the paint, Aher Uguak is good for 7.3 PPG and 4.0 RPG. The Ramblers are deep at guard. Four backcourt players are averaging between 7.3 and 8.8 PPG. Guards Lucas Williamson and Braden Norris lead the effort with 8.8 and 8.4 PPG and 2.1 and 3.1 APG respectively. Guard Keith Clemons, who’s averaging 7.5 PPG, tops the team with a three-point percentage of 46.4.
Oregon State vs Loyola Chicago Pick – Final Thoughts
Our Oregon State vs Loyola Chicago pick finds that the Ramblers are more productive than the Beavers in the paint and deeper at guard. We expect them to dominate both the front and back. However, the Oregon State guards have more scoring potential. Finally, Loyola Chicago is tougher on D. Considering all of these factors, we’re going with the Ramblers at -6.5.
#12 Oregon State Beavers vs #8 Loyola Chicago Ramblers
Loyola Chicago Ramblers at -6.5 (-113)
