Dayton Flyers vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers Prediction: Ramblers Host #21 Flyers

The Atlantic 10 will be the center of attention in college basketball on Friday night. The 21st-ranked Dayton Flyers will travel to Chicago to battle the Loyola Ramblers. 

The Flyers have a lot of talent but have struggled on the road, while Loyola Chicago has been sensational at home. Yet, Dayton finds itself as a slight favorite coming into the contest. 

Both teams are tied for second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference. They each trail Richmond, who is the conference frontrunner. Dayton is coming off a 14-point win over Davidson, while St. Bonaventure bested Loyola Chicago on the road. 

The opening tip from Chicago is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, and ESPN2 will broadcast the game. Here, we will break down the matchup and give our best bets for the contest.

Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago Betting Odds for Friday, March 1st

Dayton is favored by 1.5 points on Friday night. They’re -120 on the moneyline and slightly above .500 against the spread at 14-12-1.

Loyola Chicago is one game better against the spread at 15-12. They’re priced at +100 on the moneyline. 

The total is listed at 136.5 on Friday. Dayton is one of the best over teams in the Atlantic 10 at 15-11-1, while the Ramblers are 12-15. 

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Sign up for FanDuel and get $150 in bonus bets if you wager $5 on your first bet and win.

Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago Preview

The Atlantic 10 should get two teams into the NCAA Tournament, but there are three contenders. Richmond is the conference leader, and Dayton and Loyola Chicago follow them. 

One of the spots will be granted to the conference champion, who receives an automatic bid to the big dance. Dayton and Loyola Chicago need to add to their resume, and a head-to-head win on Friday will help their case for March Madness. 

We expect a competitive game as these teams fight for their postseason hopes. It will be challenging for the Flyers to win on the road, and if they do, it will be thanks to Daron Holmes II.

Holmes is a legitimate draft prospect, as evident by his numbers this season. Holmes averaged 20 points per game and had a double-double against Davidson with 14 points and ten boards. 

Dayton is the 25th-ranked team in the nation, according to KenPom. They’re outstanding on offense, ranking 16th in adjusted offensive efficiency. If they can go on a few runs against Loyola Chicago, it will set them up for success on Friday. 

Loyola Chicago is coming off a loss, but they had won seven straight games before their matchup with St. Bonaventure. However, this is the first game over their recent stretch where they have a nationally televised game to prove how good they are to the public. 

They have dominated their building, winning all but one conference game at home. They were defeated by Richmond early in the season, who is the best team in the conference. 

Loyola Chicago isn’t as talented as Dayton, but they’re a more balanced team. The team’s leading scorer, Philip Alston, only has 12.8 points per game. Loyola has many players who contribute around 10 points per game, but they win with defense. 

The Ramblers are 96th overall in the KenPom Ratings but 38th in adjusted defensive efficiency. They also play fast and are very good with their superior defense. Even if Dayton slows down the pace, Loyola Chicago will look to pick up the tempo despite being worse on offense. 

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Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago Prediction and Betting Pick

Good teams find a way to win on the road. If the Atlantic 10 gets two spots in the NCAA Tournament, and the season ends today, it would be Dayton and Richmond. 

While Loyola Chicago is a talented team at home, they’re not on the same level as the Flyers. Dayton is superior in many critical aspects, especially offensive efficiency, which should make a difference in this game. 

While Loyola Chicago plays strong in the backcourt, we don’t trust their offense to convert. Holmes should have a massive game and lead Dayton to a win. 

• Dayton Flyers vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers Pick: Dayton -1.5 (-110) at FanDuel Sportsbook

How to Watch Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago

• When: Friday, March 1st @ 9:00 PM ET

• Where: Joseph J. Gentile Arena, Chicago, IL

• TV: ESPN2

• Streaming: ESPN+

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