Bradley vs Loyola Predictions and Odds Feb 9
Bradley vs Loyola Betting Preview
The first Bradley vs Loyola contest went to overtime in Chicago on January 8. Are we due for another tight affair in Peoria tonight? At the time of posting, the Ramblers have opened as a 4.5-point road favorite at Bradley, with the total sitting at 131.5 points.
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| Wednesday, February 9 | Missouri Valley Basketball Betting Notes |
|---|---|
| Point Spread: | Loyola-Chicago Ramblers -4.5 at Bradley Braves |
| Total: | 131.5 Points |
| Game Time: | 9:00pm ET / 6:00pm PT |
| Arena: | Carver Arena in Peoria, Illinois |
| TV: | CBS Sports Network |
Bradley vs Loyola Analysis
Loyola Chicago is 18-4 on the season, and 7-12 against the spread after playing a handful of non-D1 teams. The Ramblers average 73.7 points per game while giving up 62.6 points per game. Loyola Chicago is 6-1 on the road. The over is 13-8 in games involving Loyola Chicago this season, but five of the Ramblers’ seven road games have stayed under the total.
Bradley is 13-11 on the season, and 14-9 against the spread. The Braves average 71 points per game while giving up 65.3 points per game. Bradley is 8-2 at home and 6-3 against the spread in those home games, with one non-D1 opponent.
Ramblers Winning Ugly
Nothing pretty about the Ramblers’ win on Sunday at Mizzou State, as Drew Valentine pulled out some of Porter Moser’s old defensive tricks and threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Bears and top scorer Isaiah Mobley, alternating between zone and man looks in a manner that recalled Dale Brown’s long-ago “freak” defenses at LSU, while blitzing the pick-and-roll at the top of the key and also ganging up on MSU’s Gage Prim on the blocks.
But it took another big effort from vet G Lucas Williamson (scored 19; now 23 ppg across the past two) to compensate for Loyola’s offensive shortcomings, specifically post threats who only score by accident, and not providing the same sort of presence on the blocks that burly Cameron Krutwig provided the past few seasons.
Dogs are Barking in the MVC
Underdogs have been a good percentage play in the Valley this season partly because the host Braves have excelled getting points (4-1 vs. number in league play), and the Ramblers have been such poor chalk (2-9 against the spread as a favorite).
Bradley has also been on the move the past few weeks, winning and covering five of six, and doing it without key cog F Ja’Shon Henry (50% shooter from floor), who has missed the past few weeks with his second concussion of the season.
Into the breach, however, has stepped 6-9 Dutch soph PF Rienk Mast, with a pair of 20-point efforts across the past five games, while Brain Wardle has been rewarded for going the old-school transfer route with juco G Terry Roberts (a 15.4 ppg), the Braves’ most-consistent threat all season. Though Roberts should be steely-eyed for this rematch from a Jan. 8 OT game in Chicago when he endured one of his worst efforts of the season (2 of 13 from floor) in a game Bradley still should have won. Amends tonight in Peoria?
College Basketball Stat Sheet
Each day, WagerTalk handicapper Ralph Michaels puts together his College Basketball Stat Sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Wednesday’s sheet, with notes on this Bradley vs Loyola contest.
Happy Hour Tip-Off Show
Get your daily fix of college hoops betting information with Joe Raineri and a rotating panel of handicapping guests. The Happy Hour Tip-Off Show will broadcast Monday through Friday at 1:45pm ET / 10:45am PT. Pull up a barstool and join us as we break down tonight’s college basketball card from a sports betting perspective.
WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the college basketball point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all of Wednesday’s NCAAB games, including this Bradley vs Loyola showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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