Loyola Chicago vs Ohio State Odds and Picks

• The Loyola Chicago vs Ohio State odds favor the Buckeyes by half a point on Friday (March 18) at 12:15pm ET
• The Buckeyes rank 206th in defensive efficiency over the past month
• Read below for the Loyola Chicago vs Ohio State odds, analysis, and betting prediction

What a way to kickoff Friday (March 18) at the NCAA Tournament. In one corner, we have 10-seed Loyola Chicago who has pulled off some of the biggest March Madness upsets over the past few years. In the other corner, 7-seed Ohio State. The Buckeyes are an excellent offensive team from one of college basketball’s top conferences. The problem is, they haven’t been able to get a stop to save their lives recently.

Editor’s note: as of 11:05 am, March 18, the game total had been bet up to 134 (-109o/-110u) while the moneyline and point spread remained unchanged.

Loyola Chicago vs Ohio State Odds

Odds as of March 15th at Barstool Sportsbook.  Looking forward to Ohio sports betting? Legal betting is set to launch in Ohio in January 2023

Despite the defensive inefficiency, a subject we’ll dive into later, Ohio State is currently a 0.5-point favorite. The number opened Buckeyes -1.5, but early money has been all over the Ramblers. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:15pm ET at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, with CBS providing the broadcast coverage.

Just a reminder before placing any bets this week, make sure to consult SBD’s March Madness betting promos, as online sportsbooks are literally giving money away in an effort to attract new clients.

Ohio State Buckeyes Betting Analysis

The Buckeyes will limp into their Round of 64 matchup. They’ve dropped four of their last five contests, including an embarrassing second round loss to Penn State in the Big Ten Tournament. The Nittany Lions boasted a 7-13 conference record, and needless to say are not featured in the March Madness bracket.

🕺 We're Dancing!!

We take on Loyola Chicago in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as a 7 seed in Pittsburgh, PA.#Team123 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/2Hm9vSHm91

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) March 13, 2022

Penn State isn’t the only sub-par opponent Ohio State has lost to recently, as they’re 1-4 in their last five games to teams with a combined record of 77-80. They blew an 11-point lead to the Nittany Lions, and allowed them to score on 22 of 30 second half possessions.

And therein lies the problem. The Buckeyes are atrocious defensively, something that’s been compounded by the absences of Justice Sueing and captain Kyle Young. Sueing has already been ruled out for Friday, while Young is in the concussion protocol and has a chance to suit up.

Looking for potential upset candidates? We know defense travels in the tourney, here are the worst 1-7 seeds per KP in defensive efficiency:

[7] Ohio State: 131st
[3] Purdue: 100th
[6] Alabama: 94th
[6] Colorado State: 83rd
[4] Providence: 79th
[5] Iowa: 77th

— Mike Cutri (@mikecutricbb) March 14, 2022

Ohio State ranks 131st in defensive efficiency for the season, but grade out 206th in that metric over the last month. Only three teams over the past 10 years have made it to the Sweet-16 when ranking below the top-100 in defensive efficiency so it may be wise to fade the Buckeyes in the NCAA Tournament odds.

Prior to the past few weeks they’ve been able to mask their defensive problems with a strong offense. They rank 27th in field goal percentage this season, while only 24 teams in the nation shoot a higher percentage from three.

🏅 E.J. Liddell has been named a member of the AP All-American Third Team 🙌#Team123 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/v5gIzPM05f

— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) March 15, 2022

E.J. Liddell is one of the country’s top scorers, averaging 19.6 points per game, but he’s going to need a lot of help on defense to get past a very strong Loyola-Chicago program.

Loyola Chicago Betting Analysis

The Ramblers breezed through the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament to claim their second straight title. Everyone remembers their 2018 Cinderella Run when they reached the National Semifinal as an extreme longshot in the Final Four odds, but don’t forget they also knocked off 1-seed Illinois last year as an 8-seed.

Bring on the Buckeyes 👏 pic.twitter.com/Czt24ZhvdA

— Loyola Men's Basketball (@RamblersMBB) March 13, 2022

Unlike Ohio State, Loyola Chicago excels on defense. They grade out 22nd in defensive efficiency per KenPom, and rank 16th in scoring defense. They limit enemy shooters to 41% from the field, pull down defensive boards at a top-20 clip in the country, and feature MVC Defensive Player of the Year Lucas Williamson. You won’t find the senior among the contenders in the Wooden Award odds, but you will see him tormenting opposing players.

Lucas Williamson showed yesterday on both ends why he should get plenty of looks from NBA teams despite being 23.

Starting with the defense, Williamson was a big reason why Mosley struggled to get going. His physicality and length forced him into many difficult shots throughout. pic.twitter.com/oofF8cKiUu

— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) February 7, 2022

Offensively, they don’t have the firepower that Ohio State does, but they do shoot the ball incredibly well. They rank seventh in the country in effective field goal percentage (56.3%), and 16th nationally in three-point field goal percentage (38%). They should have a field day versus this lousy Buckeyes D.

Loyola Chicago vs Ohio State Pick

Ohio State couldn’t have asked for a worse matchup. Not only is their perimeter defense likely to get exposed again, but the Ramblers play the exact style the Buckeyes want to avoid. Ohio State wants to run and gun, but Loyola Chicago will methodically grind you down.

OSU better watch out for Loyola Chicago… Never a team you want to see during march… and a nut doesn't stand a chance against a Rambler… #SelectionSunday

— Paul Mecurio (@PaulMecurio) March 13, 2022

The Ramblers have been cover machines recently, especially at neutral sites. They’re 6-1 ATS this season at neutral arenas, while the Buckeyes are 1-2 ATS in those instances, and 3-6 against the spread overall in contests away from home.

Pick: Loyola Chicago Ramblers Moneyline (-109)

Other March Madness Content

First Round Game Previews (Friday)

1. Jacksonville State vs Auburn Picks and Odds (12:40 pm ET)
2. Montana State vs Texas Tech Odds, Lines and Spread (1:45 pm ET)
3. Yale vs Purdue Picks and Odds (2:00 pm ET)
4. Delaware vs Villanova Odds, Lines and Spread (2:45 pm ET)
5. Miami vs USC Odds and Picks (3:10pm ET)
6. Notre Dame vs Alabama Picks and Odds (4:15 pm ET)
7. Virginia Tech vs Texas Odds, Lines and Spread (4:30 pm ET)
8. Chattanooga vs Illinois Odds and Picks (6:30 pm ET)
9. Cal State Fullerton vs Duke Picks and Odds (7:10 pm ET)
10. Iowa State vs LSU Odds, Lines and Spread (7:20 pm ET)
11. Wright State vs Arizona Prediction (7:27 pm ET)
12. UAB vs Houston Picks and Odds (9:20pm ET)
13. Davidson vs Michigan State Odds, Lines and Spread (9:40 pm ET)
14. Colgate vs Wisconsin Odds and Picks (9:50 pm ET)
15. TCU vs Seton Hall Picks and Odds (9:57 PM ET)

First Round Game Previews (Thursday)

1. Providence vs South Dakota State Picks and Odds (12:40 pm ET)
2. Memphis vs Boise State Odds, Lines and Spread (1:45 pm ET)
3. Norfolk State vs Baylor Odds and Picks (2:00 pm ET)
4. Longwood vs Tennessee Picks and Odds (2:45 pm ET)
5. Richmond vs Iowa Odds, Lines, and Spread (3:10 pm ET)
6. Gonzaga vs Georgia State Odds (4:15 pm ET)
7. Marquette vs UNC Picks and Odds (4:30 pm ET)
8. New Mexico State vs UConn Odds, Lines, and Spread (6:50 pm ET)
9. Saint Peter’s vs Kentucky Odds and Picks (7:10 pm ET)
10. Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Picks and Odds (7:20 pm ET)
11. Vermont vs Arkansas Odds and Picks (9:20 pm ET)
12. San Francisco vs Murray State Picks and Odds (9:40 pm ET)
13. Akron vs UCLA Odds, Lines, and Spread (9:50 pm ET)
14. Texas Southern vs Kansas Odds and Picks (9:57 pm ET)

Regional Previews

1. East Region Odds — Baylor Earns Top Seed, Kentucky Favored
2. Midwest Region Odds See Kansas Favored Over Auburn, Iowa and Wisconsin
3. South Region Odds: Arizona +110 Favorites, Tennessee & Houston Sleepers
4. West Regional Odds: Gonzaga Odds-On Favorite to Reach Final Four

General

• SBD’s Expert Brackets and March Madness Picks 2022
• March Madness Odds Favor Gonzaga at +350 After Selection Sunday
• March Madness Odds for All First Round Games
• Printable 2022 March Madness Bracket – Make Your Picks for the NCAA Tournament