Neither of these teams is supposed to be here. Experts and analysts had Loyola-Chicago and Kansas State long gone before this stage of the NCAA Tournament. But here we are in the Elite Eight with the Wildcats Sportsbook as slight favorites vs the Ramblers to get to their first Final Four since 1964.
While Loyola’s run has been shocking, the biggest stunner has been the margin of victory during its path to the Elite Eight. In three wins, the Ramblers have won by a combined total of four points and held opponents to 64 points per game while covering in each contest. Guard Marques Townes had the game of his life in the Sweet 16, scoring 18 points and hitting a dagger from three-point range to seal the victory vs Nevada.
The Wildcats must be licking their chops in anticipation of this matchup vs Loyola as Kansas State has already knocked off a team of destiny in this tournament, walloping UMBC in the second round. Forward Xavier Sneed paced the Wildcats in scoring with 22 points vs Kentucky while center Dean Wade did his best Willis Reed impression in limited minutes with four points and three rebounds. Wade may need to increase his workload to overcome the Ramblers’ smothering defense and provide defense vs Loyola’s center, Cameron Krutwig.
The total opened at 126.5 and trends are pointing to an UNDER. The UNDER has hit in Loyola’s last eight games with an average combined score of 122.7 points per game. When you factor in that the UNDER has also hit in four of Kansas State’s last five games, this contest could be a defensive battle with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
Loyola-Chicago Ramblers vs Kansas State Wildcats Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers will try to spoil the party and cover the point spread on Saturday; they are 24-10 against the betting line this season, while the Kansas State Wildcats are 16-17 ATS. The Ramblers are 12-22 on betting the total; the Wildcats are 11-21-1.
According to new college basketball power rankings here at OddsShark, it's the No. 224-ranked Wildcats and the No. 14-rated Ramblers in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Kansas State's No. 193-ranked offense, averaging 71.33 PPG, against a Loyola-Chicago defense that ranks No. 5 at 62.39 PPG. The Wildcats' field-goal percentage has averaged 46.7% so far, less than the Ramblers marksmen have achieved on the year, 50.72% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Loyola-Chicago got 18 points from Marques Townes en route to a 69-68 victory over Nevada on Thursday at Philips Arena.
The Wildcats grabbed a 61-58 win over Kentucky on Thursday, behind a 22-point effort from Xavier Sneed at Philips Arena.