Multiple times each week, The Gaming Juice’s resident action seeker, Brad Evans, will attempt to blast the ‘books with his favorite selections on sides, totals, props, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — but that’s up to you.
Sledgehammer Special — SGP: Loyola Chicago +10.5, Dayton +9.5, UNDER 146.5 (+115, MGM)
Six years ago, a Jesuit school located on The Windy City’s north side captivated March.
With a centenarian No. 1 fan, a sensational on-court brand and an underdog label, Loyola Chicago had even the most casual college basketball consumer riveted to its NCAA Tournament run. And by advancing to the Final Four, the then-Missouri Valley member blew away preconceived notions that a mid-major was incapable of reaching the game’s pinnacle.
Since then, Cam Krutwig finally graduated. Head coach Porter Moser bolted for Norman. Loyola had two NCAA tourney appearances end on more somber notes, while another smaller conference constituent, Florida Atlantic, reached college basketball’s mecca. And yes, Sister Jean is still gloriously kicking. Presumably, the sacramental wine is telling her the Ramblers could again spawn the upset bug.
On Friday, a creepy crawler could indeed emerge.
[ Bracket Big Board: Brad Evans’ NCAA Tournament projections ]
Toeing the top-50 overall line at BartTorvik since Feb. 1, Loyola Chicago is quietly just on the outside of the at-large bid conversation. The Ramblers are 6-1 straight-up in their last seven games, ranking No. 60 in eFG offense and No. 42 in eFG defense. Though self-inflicted turnovers have occasionally plagued them, they’re shooting 37.6% from distance over the past four weeks thanks to Des Watson (40.3 3PT%), Jayden Dawson (37.8%) and now 11th-year senior (we think) Braden Norris (42.7%), who was on the 2018 Final Four team.
Equally encouraging is how well Loyola Chicago has performed in front of the 4,400 strong at Gentile Arena. This season, the Ramblers sport a 12-2 record and the No. 1 eFG defensive standing of all college basketball teams playing at home.
For good reasons, Dayton is the runaway favorite to rep the Atlantic 10 in the Big Dance. The soaring confidence is understandable.
The Flyers have dropped only three games since Nov. 24, slotting at No. 12 in eFG offense and No. 34 in eFG defense on the season. They are a respectable 5-4 on the road, but they’re an uninspiring No. 187 in eFG defense over the past month, conceding 54.7% inside the arc. Still, 6-foot-11 all-points scorer DaRon Holmes remains the best player you just now learned existed. Currently, he ranks No. 2 in KenPom’s Player of the Year standings. And, no, that’s not a measurement only for western Ohio rec leaguers.
This underrated Friday night throwdown boils down to two areas: 1) who wins the 3-point battle and 2) whether Loyola’s Philip Alston and Dame Adelekun establish themselves inside. Somewhat confident the Fightin’ Sister Jeans can rise to the occasion on both fronts and given what will likely be a sluggish pace, I’m 'living in the middle' on the bet above.
Season record: 8-8, +0.58 units (We're on a 4-game skid. It stinks.)
BONUS TIME — Fairfield-Marist UNDER 136.5 (-110, MGM)