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The #25 Saint Louis Billikens look to put the finishing touches on a perfect home season this Wednesday night when they host Loyola Chicago at Chaifetz Arena. Tipoff is set for 8:00 PM ET on CBSS as the Billikens aim to improve their 18-0 home record and secure a high seed in the Atlantic 10 tournament. Saint Louis enters with a 26-3 record and a sense of urgency after suffering two road losses in their last four games. Loyola Chicago, meanwhile, sits at a disappointing 7-22 but arrives with a sliver of momentum after snapping a four game losing streak with a victory over Richmond on Saturday.
The Billikens are currently massive 24.5 point favorites in a game that represents a significant mismatch on paper. Saint Louis has already proven they can bounce back from adversity, following up their recent loss to Dayton with a 15 point win over Duquesne. For the Ramblers, this road trip is an uphill battle against one of the most efficient offenses in the country, especially as they continue to navigate life without their starting point guard.
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Loyola Chicago vs Saint Louis Billikens Odds
These are the current betting lines for this Atlantic 10 clash, though bettors should always monitor the latest college basketball odds as tipoff approaches.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Loyola Chicago | N/A | +24.5 (-110) | O 155.5 (-110) |
| #25 Saint Louis | N/A | -24.5 (-112) | U 155.5 (-110) |
Loyola Chicago Betting Form
It has been a season to forget for Drew Valentine and the Ramblers. With only seven wins on the year and a 2-11 record on the road, Loyola Chicago has struggled to find any consistent offensive identity. They rank near the bottom of the country in scoring, averaging just 66.8 points per game. Miles Rubin has been a bright spot lately, coming off a 19 point performance against Richmond where he shot 70 percent from the field, but the lack of perimeter depth has been glaring.
The Ramblers have played the last two games without starting point guard Justin Moore, which has forced Miles Reese into a high usage role. While Reese has been steady, the offense lacks the explosiveness required to keep pace with top 25 opponents. On the defensive end, they have been vulnerable to high tempo teams that can stretch the floor. You can find more details on their defensive struggles by checking the Loyola Chicago schedule and stats. For a look at the status of their backcourt depth, the Loyola Chicago injury report is a must-watch before locking in any spread bets.
Saint Louis Billikens Betting Form
Saint Louis is a juggernaut at Chaifetz Arena. Led by center Robbie Avila, who recently secured his 100th career win, the Billikens rank 9th nationally in scoring at 89.2 points per game. Avila is the quintessential modern big man, coming off a 23 point, 7 rebound, and 7 assist night where he knocked down five triples. His ability to facilitate from the high post makes the Billikens incredibly difficult to scout, as he consistently finds open shooters like Quentin Jones and Trey Green.
The Billikens rank 5th in the nation in effective field goal percentage (60.7%), illustrating their elite shot selection and execution. Coach Josh Schertz has also found success leaning into his bench, with Paul Otieno providing a massive energy boost and a plus-24 rating in their last outing. Saint Louis has covered the spread in nearly 60 percent of their games as a favorite this season. You can track their home dominance and efficiency metrics on the Saint Louis stats and results page. Ensure you check the Saint Louis injury report to confirm the availability of their primary rotation players for this home finale.
Loyola Chicago vs Saint Louis Billikens Matchup Breakdown
This matchup features a total contrast in tempo and efficiency. Saint Louis wants to run, hunt for three pointers, and utilize Avila’s gravity to create easy looks at the rim. Loyola Chicago, conversely, operates at a much slower pace, ranking 332nd in possessions per game (64.5). The Ramblers’ only hope of staying within the 24.5 point spread is to turn this into a low possession grind and hope Saint Louis has an uncharacteristic cold night from deep.
- Interior Dominance: Paul Otieno and Robbie Avila should have a significant size and skill advantage over the Loyola frontcourt. If they control the glass, second chance points will bury the Ramblers early.
- Point Guard Play: Without Justin Moore, Loyola may struggle with the ball pressure Saint Louis applies at home. Turnovers in the backcourt often lead to the 10-0 runs that have defined the Billikens’ home schedule.
- Home Motivation: Saint Louis is playing for an unblemished 19-0 home record. The energy in Chaifetz Arena will likely be at a season high for the final home tilt.
Given the spread, it is worth consulting a college basketball betting guide to understand how to handicap massive numbers in late season conference play. Historically, Saint Louis has been a team that doesn’t take its foot off the gas at home, which makes the large spread less intimidating than it looks on the surface.
Loyola Chicago vs Saint Louis Billikens Predictions and Best Bets
I am laying the points with Saint Louis here. The 24.5 point spread is eye-popping, but the statistical gap between these two teams is cavernous. Saint Louis averages nearly 23 more points per game than Loyola Chicago, and when you factor in the Billikens’ elite home court advantage and Loyola’s missing starting point guard, a blowout feels inevitable. Avila is playing at an All-American level, and the Ramblers simply don’t have the size or depth to limit his impact for 40 minutes.
Regarding the total of 155.5, the Under is the play. While Saint Louis will score their share, Loyola Chicago’s slow pace and offensive limitations make it difficult to see them contributing enough to push this over the 155 mark. Our model projects a 92-65 finish, which lands right on the Under. Expect Saint Louis to get their 90 points, but Loyola may struggle to reach 60 in a hostile environment.
Best Bet: Saint Louis -24.5 (-112).
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