San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago Odds and Picks (Jan. 6)
- Loyola Chicago is a 1-point favorite over San Francisco on Thursday (Jan. 6th) at 2 pm ET at the Lifetime Activities Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
- This mid-major non-conference matchup was put together after multiple scheduled games for both programs were postponed due to COVID
- Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction
Due to the rash of COVID outbreaks among college basketball programs, some teams have played hardly any basketball over the past month. Fed up by the lack of recent action, San Francisco and Loyola Chicago decided to do something about it. The two mid-majors agreed to a non-conference tilt on Thursday (January 6th) after both of their conference games were wiped out thanks to COVID issues within their scheduled opponent’s program.
San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Dons | OFF | +1 (-110) | O 130 (-110) |
| Loyola Chicago Ramblers | OFF | -1 (-110) | U 130 (-110) |
Odds as of Jan. 5th at FanDuel.
The Ramblers opened up as a 1-point favorite over the Dons, in a game that features a total of 130. This is being considered one of the best mid-major non-conference matchups of the season, and it will take place inside a JUCO gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm ET at the Lifetime Activities Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Loyola Chicago Ramblers Betting Analysis
The Ramblers (9-2) had their Missouri Valley Conference opener versus Illinois State postponed, just a few days after their contest versus St. Xavier was cancelled. Over the past three weeks they’ve had five games taken off their schedule thanks to COVID, and that follows their own COVID pause prior to Christmas.
Todd Golden tells me that San Francisco will play Loyola Chicago on Thursday at 12 Noon (Mountain Time) at Salt Lake Community College.
Two tremendous mid-majors.
Wilder than a goat rodeo!
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) January 4, 2022
Loyola Chicago hasn’t played a game since December 5th, and are understandably desperate for competition. They rank 23rd in overall efficiency per KenPom, and boast quality wins over DePaul, Vanderbilt and Arizona State on their resume. They did lose their only two contests to top-25 opposition, but have impressive numbers across the board.
They rank 33rd in points per game, and first in effective field goal percentage. They’re fourth in three-point efficiency, and 13th in assists. At the other end of the court, they rank 41st in scoring defense, 75th in opponent effective field goal percentage, and only 15 programs yield fewer assists.
If there’s an area of concern, it’s on the glass. The Ramblers rank 193rd in total rebounding, and 123rd on the defensive glass.
San Francisco Dons Betting Analysis
The Dons (13-1) meanwhile, had their highly anticipated showdown with Gonzaga on Thursday postponed, after COVID issues also forced the postponement of their New Year’s Day contest versus Saint Mary’s.
After postponing their matchup against @ZagMBB , @USFDonsMBB picked up a very nice neutral site game against @RamblersMBB, who made the #FinalFour in 2018. Both teams having great seasons. Early mid-major gem. #WCCHoops
— Jeff Mendelsohn (@mendeldad) January 6, 2022
San Francisco hasn’t played since last Tuesday, when they overwhelmed Division II opponent Academy of Art University 111-78. The Dons own the best overall record in the WCC, ahead of the Zags’ 11-2 mark. They’re 4-0 versus top-100 teams so far this season, although the Ramblers will be their toughest opponent to date.
Closing the year with a dub!#USFDons | #WCChoops pic.twitter.com/fkEvZUrtea
— San Francisco Men's Basketball (@USFDonsMBB) December 29, 2021
San Francisco ranks 98th in points per game, but 14th in effective field goal percentage, and 44th in three-point efficiency. They also boast a big rebounding advantage over Loyola Chicago ranking 56th in total rebounding.
Defensively, they surrender the 37th fewest points per game, while ranking 17th in opponent effective field goal percentage. They’re 50th on the defensive glass, and only three programs in the nation allow fewer assists.
San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago Pick
It’s hard to imagine the Ramblers not starting slow in this contest given their lengthy absence from competitive play. Given the Dons’ strong defense, the odds of a cold start for Loyola Chicago are amplified.
San Francisco games tend to be low scoring already, and this one should be no exception. The under has hit in each of their past three outings, and in eight of their 13 games that has had a total posted. The under is also 3-1 in their contests versus top-100 teams, and 3-0 in neutral site games like this one.
Yep, it’s San Francisco who has the most wins in all of College Basketball. What a start for @USFDonsMBB!
— Richie Schueler (@RichieSchueler) December 30, 2021
Loyola Chicago on the other hand, typically isn’t prone to cashing under tickets. That is unless, they’re playing a quality opponent like the Dons. The Ramblers have played four top-100 teams and the under has hit each time.
Also working in favor of a low scoring game is the pace at which these two teams play at. San Francisco ranks 170th in adjusted tempo per KenPom, while Loyola Chicago ranks 326th.
Pick: Under 130 (-110)
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As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
