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The Loyola-Chicago vs. Miami betting line should open at Hurricanes -3.5 to -4. Note that both these teams are Wildcats. LIVE ODDS HERE
From ESPN.com:
Miami Hurricanes - Teams must thrive in adversity to win a national title. Miami encountered the loss of a key player and still rolled into the postseason. The foot injury Bruce Brown (11.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG) suffered in January cost him the final 10 games of Miami's regular season. The Hurricanes still finished 4-1 in their final five matchups, a stretch that included a surge from freshman NBA prospect Lonnie Walker IV (14.0 PPG, 42 percent from the 3-point line in those five games). Still, it always seems as if the Hurricanes are a play away from victory or doom. Their final four games of the regular season, all wins, were decided by a combined eight points.
Loyola-Chicago - Let's remove this mid-major's name and league (Missouri Valley Conference) for a moment. Instead, let's discuss a team ranked 23rd in adjusted defensive efficiency (KenPom.com) -- a broad metric that measures a team's defensive aptitude according to the competition it has faced -- and the No. 25 offense against man-to-man defense (Synergy Sports). This team also has a road win at Florida, too. And it makes 40 percent of its 3-pointers. Sound like a sleeper to you?
MORE QUICK TAKES
Loyola-Chicago comes into this one 19-9-1 Against The Spread having lost 5 games outright. They haven't lost in their last ten. This is a dangerous team.
This is the first time that the Ramblers have participated in March Madness since 1985.
The first round of the tournament starts Thursday after the First Four games. The Final Four is set for March 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, and the national championship game will be played April 2.
- Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
