Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs San Jose State Spartans Prediction – 3/19/2025

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers are set to face the San Jose State Spartans in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 11:00 PM Eastern Time. The game will take place at the Provident Credit Union Event Center in San Jose, California, and will be broadcast on ESPN2. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between these two programs, adding an element of intrigue to the postseason contest.

Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. San Jose State Spartans Game Preview

The Loyola Chicago Ramblers enter the NIT with a 22-11 overall record, including a 12-6 mark in Atlantic 10 Conference play, which earned them a fourth-place finish in the league. Their postseason journey began with a 72-64 victory over Saint Louis in the conference tournament quarterfinals, followed by a 62-55 loss to VCU in the semifinals. The Ramblers have demonstrated strong form recently, winning eight of their last ten games and covering the spread in nine of those contests.

Offensively, Loyola Chicago averages 73.5 points per game, ranking 174th nationally. They shoot 45.8% from the field and 35.4% from three-point range. Defensively, the Ramblers allow 68.6 points per game, placing them 90th in the nation. Key contributors include junior guard Jayden Dawson, who leads the team with 13.2 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, and senior guard Desmond Watson, who adds 12.9 points and 2.6 assists per contest. Senior guard Sheldon Edwards also plays a significant role, averaging 12.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

The San Jose State Spartans concluded the regular season with a 15-19 record and a 7-13 performance in Mountain West Conference play, finishing eighth in the league. In the conference tournament, they secured a 66-61 win over Wyoming before falling 63-52 to New Mexico in the quarterfinals. The Spartans have struggled recently, posting a 3-7 record over their last ten games and covering the spread in five of those matchups.

San Jose State averages 72.2 points per game, ranking 207th nationally, with a field goal percentage of 44.6% and a three-point shooting percentage of 34.5%. Defensively, they allow 73.3 points per game, placing them 243rd in the nation. Senior guard Josh Uduje leads the team with 16.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Junior guard Will McClendon contributes 12.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, though he has been sidelined since February 7 due to a knee injury and is questionable for this matchup.

Betting Insights

As of the latest reports, Loyola Chicago is favored by 2.5 points, with an over/under set at 141.5 points. The Ramblers have been strong against the spread, going 17-15 this season and 9-1 in their last ten games. They have also won each of their last six night games. Conversely, the Spartans have a 22-9-1 record against the spread but have lost each of their last six night games. Notably, San Jose State has won seven of its last eight night games against non-conference opponents at home, indicating a potential home-court advantage.

Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. San Jose State Spartans Prediction

Considering the current form and statistical profiles of both teams, Loyola Chicago appears to have the edge in this matchup. The Ramblers' recent success, particularly their strong defensive play and ability to cover the spread, suggests they are well-positioned to handle the Spartans. San Jose State's struggles in recent games, coupled with potential lineup uncertainties due to injuries, further tilt the scales in favor of Loyola Chicago.

While the Spartans have demonstrated resilience at home against non-conference opponents, the Ramblers' balanced offensive attack and solid defense are likely to pose significant challenges. Therefore, the prediction leans towards Loyola Chicago covering the 2.5-point spread and securing a victory in this NIT first-round game.