The San Francisco Dons take on the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in Milwaukee, WI. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
San Francisco is favored by 3.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -166. The total is set at 139 points.
Here are my San Francisco vs. Loyola Chicago predictions and college basketball picks for December 15, 2024.
San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago Prediction
My Pick: Loyola Chicago +4.5 (Play to +3.5)
My San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago best bet is on the Ramblers spread, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago Odds
| San Francisco Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -108 | 139 -110 / -110 | -166 |
| Loyola (IL) Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -112 | 139 -110 / -110 | +140 |
- San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago spread: San Francisco -3.5
- San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago over/under: 139 points
- San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago moneyline: San Francisco -166, Loyola Chicago +140
- San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago best bet: Loyola Chicago +4.5 (Play to +3.5)
Spread
I'm taking the Ramblers on the spread.
Moneyline
I'm avoiding the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm passing on the total.
My Pick: Loyola Chicago +4.5 (Play to +3.5)
San Francisco vs Loyola Chicago College Basketball Betting Preview
Loyola Chicago is one of just eight remaining undefeated teams in the country. Even against a schedule that ranks 359th in strength, that’s an impressive feat.
On Sunday, the Ramblers get a tough San Francisco squad still hunting for an at-large berth in Milwaukee. The Dons are far more battle-tested, having faced three top-60 teams this season.
Loyola Chicago is a very experienced squad with a bunch of savvy veterans, and it has one distinct edge tonight: the rim attack. The Ramblers rank in the 97th percentile nationally in field goal attempt rate at the rim, per CBB Analytics.
The Dons rank in just the sixth percentile in the field goal attempt rate allowed at the rim. While San Francisco has been stout in contesting rim attempts, the fact it allows so many chances near the cup favors Loyola.
Loyola runs a methodical offense in the half-court. The Ramblers are very unselfish, ranking third nationally in assist rate, and usually start possessions with a ball screen for capable guards Justin Moore and Jalen Quinn.
San Francisco is huge on the perimeter outside of lead guard Ryan Beasley. The Dons normally feature four guys over 6-foot-5 on the floor, which is key for matching up with Loyola’s sizable perimeter.
That size has allowed San Francisco to defend pick-and-rolls at a respectable rate, and versatile bigs on the back end will help deter Miles Rubin at the rim (which, again, he will get to often).
With a general lack of shooting, Loyola needs to score inside the paint to put points on the board. San Francisco’s interior defense will be under the magnifying glass.
The Dons are balanced offensively – they have shot makers in Marcus Williams and Tyrone Riley IV, and they have the athleticism to create second chances and attack the paint.
Senior Ndewedo Newbury has been a versatile skeleton key for Chris Gerlufsen to plug into any offensive set.
Loyola is always sound defensively under Drew Valentine, and Rubin is one of the best-shot-blockers in the country. Scoring at the rim against Loyola this season has been a near impossibility – the Ramblers are 10th nationally in field goal percentage allowed at the rim, per CBB Analytics.
Like the Dons, Loyola has plenty of perimeter size to contest shots, and having Rubin in the middle is a luxury for the backcourt, as they can extend more past the arc knowing they are covered.
Loyola has the pieces to match up effectively against San Francisco, and it will have a clear crowd edge in Milwaukee (will there be even a single Don fan in the stands?).
A weak schedule is a concern, as San Francisco will be easily the best team Loyola has faced this season, but Valentine and Co. should be up for the task.
