Kent State Golden Flashes vs Loyola Chicago Ramblers Prediction – 3/26/2025

The Kent State Golden Flashes are set to face the Loyola Chicago Ramblers in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. The game will take place at Gentile Arena in Chicago, Illinois, and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers Game Preview

Kent State enters this matchup with a 24-11 record, having secured a narrow 77-75 victory over Stanford in the second round of the NIT. In that game, Jalen Sullinger delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 34 points and grabbing eight rebounds. The Golden Flashes have been effective on the road this season, posting a 10-5 record away from home. Offensively, they average 73.8 points per game, ranking 179th nationally, and are strong on the boards with 37.2 rebounds per game. Defensively, they allow 68.2 points per game, placing them 63rd in the nation. Key contributors include VonCameron Davis, averaging 14.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, and Morgan Safford, who adds 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest.

Loyola Chicago also holds a 24-11 record and advanced to the quarterfinals by edging San Francisco 77-76 in their previous game. Jayden Dawson led the Ramblers with a career-high 35 points in that contest. The Ramblers have been formidable at home, boasting a 16-1 record at Gentile Arena. They average 73.6 points per game (189th nationally) and collect 35.7 rebounds per game. Defensively, they allow 68.9 points per game, ranking 81st in the nation. Dawson leads the team with 13.8 points per game, while Des Watson contributes 13.2 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Betting Insights

As of the latest reports, Loyola Chicago is favored by 5 points, with an over/under set at 144.5 points. Public betting trends indicate that 63% of bettors are backing Kent State to cover the spread.

Key betting considerations include:

• Home Court Advantage: Loyola Chicago's impressive 16-1 home record suggests a strong performance at Gentile Arena.
• Recent Form: Both teams have secured narrow victories in the previous round, indicating competitive play.
• Offensive and Defensive Metrics: Both teams have similar offensive outputs, but Loyola Chicago's slightly better defensive ranking could be a deciding factor.

Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers Prediction

Considering Loyola Chicago's dominant home performance and balanced play on both ends of the court, they are well-positioned to secure a victory in this matchup. However, Kent State's strong road record and efficient offense suggest they will keep the game competitive. Given the 5-point spread, it's reasonable to anticipate a close contest, with Loyola Chicago likely to win but Kent State potentially covering the spread. Therefore, the recommended pick is Kent State +5.

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