March Madness Final Four odds & betting tips for Loyola vs. Michigan

Loyola (Chicago) Ramblers (32-5 SU 23-9-1 ATS) vs. Michigan Wolverines (32-7 SU 24-12-2 ATS)
DATE: 6:09 PM ET Saturday March 31 on TBS

Loyola of Chicago has shocked the college hoops world, advancing to the Final Four after winning their region as the 11th seed.

The Ramblers are hot and playing with a ton of confidence, but they face a Michigan team that also has skill and momentum. Loyola is not a high-scoring team, but are led by a defense that ranks 5th in the nation in points allowed and in their four games in the Big Dance they are giving up an average of 63.5 ppg.

Michigan has won 13 in a row and while they did not shoot the rock well in their last game, they played great defense, which is their strength ranking 8th in the nation in points allowed. The Wolverines open as a 5-point favorite and they look to end Cinderella’s ride in the dance sending Loyola back to the Windy City. This game will be Michigan’s first ever game facing Loyola of Chicago.

In their games held at a neutral site this season Loyola is a perfect 9-0 and Michigan is 11-1.

Key Loyola betting trends

• Loyola is 4-0 ATS in their non-conference games.
• Loyola is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
• Loyola has an Under record of 8-1 in their last 9 games.

Loyola was more than impressive in their Elite 8 game, beating Kansas State 78-62. The Ramblers took a 12 -point halftime lead and while they had 15 turnovers and only forced six they shot 57.4% from the field and had a 3-pt FG% of 50% while they held the Wildcats to 34.8% shooting and 23.1% shooting from 3-pt land. Ben Richardson led three players that scored at least 12 points with 23 points and on the season he is only averaging 7 ppg. Clayton Custer (13.2 ppg) leads five Ramblers averaging in double figures on the season and he only went for seven points on 2/8 shooting in the win over Kansas State.

Key Michigan betting trends

• Michigan is 6-2-1 ATS in their last 8 non-conference games.
• Michigan is 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games facing team with a winning straight up record.
• Michigan has an Over record of 6-3-2 in their last 10 games.

Michigan beat Florida State 58-54 in their Elite 8 game and while they only shot 38.8% from the field they forced 15 turnovers and held the Seminoles to 31.4% shooting. The Wolverines were not hitting their shots, but they bucked down on D in the win. Charles Matthews had 17 points and Moritz Wagner had 12 points and they were the only two players for the squad that went for double figures. Wagner leads three players averaging over 12 ppg at 14.3 ppg and has gone for 12 points in two of his last three games, going for 21 in the other one, and in the win over KSU he was only 3/11 from the floor.

Loyola v Michigan prediction

Loyola has had a wild ride in the NCAA Tournament, but their ride ends in the Final 4. This will be a low scoring game and while both teams have a great defense, the Wolverines have the better offense. Michigan will not blow out Loyola, but we expect a strong win.

Loyola v Michigan betting advice

Michigan Wolverines to cover the spread -5.5 (line) -105 at Bovada.