by Chuck Sommers
Thursday, Feb 16, 2023
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Joseph J. Gentile Arena, Chicago, IL
Where to watch: ESPN2/ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Dayton -7
FanDuel: Dayton -7.5
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: Dayton -7
Season record
Dayton: 17-9 (9-4 A-10)
Loyola-Chicago: 9-16 (3-10 A-10)
February is here and the college basketball season is taking full shape. Conference races still to be determined, the top 25 completely in shambles for what seems like every week, and there's bound to be an upset what seems like every single week. But as the season continues to progress with what seems like exciting action every week, you know our champion handicappers continue to put the work in each and every week to not only make money for them, but to ensure you get money in your pocket. All you need to do is look at the last 30 days. Scott Rickenbach has reeled in a net profit of $14,000 with a 24-9-0 run on the college hardwood. Team Del Genio has killed it with a 13-1-0 run at +$11,900. Will Rogers (28-15-0) and Matt Fargo (40-27-0) have also seen five figures over the last 30 days with college basketball. Surely, you want to get on this winning as well. All you need to do is go to bigal.com, check out our Best Bets page and make sure you are following along on the action. March will be here before you know it! Take advantage of our best best plays and find out what our champion handicappers are doing at bigal.com!
Dayton - Loyola-Chicago preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
Dayton: won 70-56 vs. Saint Louis
Loyola-Chicago: won 64-62 at Massachusetts
If only this game was six years ago, it might be more of a fun time. Alas, we must sit and wonder what can be with the Dayton Flyers taking on the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers in Chicago on Friday. One team is rolling toward hoping for NCAA Tournament contention, while Sister Jean is likely going to party for an early offseason.
Dayton is trying for a third straight win and fifth in the last six games in this one. The Flyers are coming off a 70-56 win at home against Saint Louis, and the two teams are meeting for the second time in about three weeks in which was an 85-81 overtime victory against the Ramblers. For the third time in four games, Toumani Camara led the team in scoring with 17 points and 10 assists — his third straight double-double — and fifth straight game of double-digit scoring.
Dayton has made things interesting with this stretch of winning after losing three of four, which included losses to Rhode Island and George Washington. But since then, the under has cashed in three straight and Dayton appears to be winning with defense at the right time. Dayton has covered in seven of its last nine following an ATS win.
But for Loyola-Chicago, it hasn't been any easier. The Ramblers are 0-4 ATS in their last four following an outright win, but those have been at a premium cost. The Ramblers are coming off a 64-62 win at UMass on Tuesday, only the third in the last 14 games.
The Ramblers got 17 points from Braden Norris to go along with five assists, but the fact that only 126 total points came through in this game doesn't bode well for the over. The under has cashed in Loyola-Chicago's last six Friday games and four of the last five following an ATS win. For the Ramblers to have a shot, their leading scorer is in need of a big game. Phillip Alston leads the way with 14.4 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting, and also grabs a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game.
Dayton's numbers say they can dominate this game. They score just 69.1 points per game, but the Flyers defense has allowed just 61.2 points per game. Loyola-Chicago, meanwhile, gives up 72 a game while scoring just 67.6. There's a chance for Dayton to really inflict some damage here. Whether they can make that a reality will be something to watch.
Prediction
Four of Loyola's last five games were decided by single digits, while three of them have come by fewer than 10 points. Dayton has to be sure not to let things slip because the offense isn't enough to stop a run. Defense will need to turn to offense on this night. Dayton 74, Loyola-Chicago 64
If only this game was six years ago, it might be more of a fun time. Alas, we must sit and wonder what can be with the Dayton Flyers taking on the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers in Chicago on Friday. One team is rolling toward hoping for NCAA Tournament contention, while Sister Jean is likely going to party for an early offseason.
Dayton is trying for a third straight win and fifth in the last six games in this one. The Flyers are coming off a 70-56 win at home against Saint Louis, and the two teams are meeting for the second time in about three weeks in which was an 85-81 overtime victory against the Ramblers. For the third time in four games, Toumani Camara led the team in scoring with 17 points and 10 assists — his third straight double-double — and fifth straight game of double-digit scoring.
Dayton has made things interesting with this stretch of winning after losing three of four, which included losses to Rhode Island and George Washington. But since then, the under has cashed in three straight and Dayton appears to be winning with defense at the right time. Dayton has covered in seven of its last nine following an ATS win.
But for Loyola-Chicago, it hasn't been any easier. The Ramblers are 0-4 ATS in their last four following an outright win, but those have been at a premium cost. The Ramblers are coming off a 64-62 win at UMass on Tuesday, only the third in the last 14 games.
The Ramblers got 17 points from Braden Norris to go along with five assists, but the fact that only 126 total points came through in this game doesn't bode well for the over. The under has cashed in Loyola-Chicago's last six Friday games and four of the last five following an ATS win. For the Ramblers to have a shot, their leading scorer is in need of a big game. Phillip Alston leads the way with 14.4 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting, and also grabs a team-high 5.6 rebounds per game.
Dayton's numbers say they can dominate this game. They score just 69.1 points per game, but the Flyers defense has allowed just 61.2 points per game. Loyola-Chicago, meanwhile, gives up 72 a game while scoring just 67.6. There's a chance for Dayton to really inflict some damage here. Whether they can make that a reality will be something to watch.
Prediction
Four of Loyola's last five games were decided by single digits, while three of them have come by fewer than 10 points. Dayton has to be sure not to let things slip because the offense isn't enough to stop a run. Defense will need to turn to offense on this night. Dayton 74, Loyola-Chicago 64
Betting trends
Dayton is 30-24 ATS as a favorite the last 3 seasons.
Dayton is 9-6 ATS after an under this season.
Loyola-Chicago is 3-10 ATS after 2 straight games of giving up 9 offensive rebounds or less the last 3 seasons.
Projected starting lineup
Dayton:
PG: Malachi Smith
SG: Kobe Elvis
SF: Toumani Camara
PF: Mike Sharavjamts
C: DaRon Holmes II
Loyola-Chicago:
PG: Braden Norris
SG: Jalen Quinn
SF: Ben Schwieger
PF: Philip Alston
C: Bryce Golden
Statistical leaders
Dayton:
Points: DaRon Holmes II -- 17.5
Rebounds: Toumani Camara -- 9.3
Assists: Mike Sharavjamts -- 2.9
Loyola-Chicago:
Points: Philip Alston -- 14.4
Rebounds: Philip Alston -- 5.6
Assists: Braden Norris -- 4.0
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Dayton - Loyola-Chicago prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily college basketball projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
