Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs Saint Louis Billikens Picks and Predictions for Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Loyola Chicago visits Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, for a 9:00 PM ET tip-off on CBSSN against nationally ranked Saint Louis. The Ramblers are 7-22 overall and 3-13 in Atlantic-10 play, last in the conference standings. Loyola Chicago is coming off a 69-66 home win over Richmond, snapping a four-game losing streak. Saint Louis is 26-3 overall and 14-2 in conference play, first in the A-10 standings, and enters this matchup after a 91-76 home win over Duquesne. Saint Louis won the first meeting between these teams 86-59 on February 13 in Chicago. Build your bankroll with our free college basketball picks.
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Saint Louis’ Shot-Making Opens Leads
Saint Louis averages 89.2 points per game while allowing an average of 68.7, giving the Billikens one of the biggest scoring margins in the A-10. Saint Louis shoots 51% from the field and 40.9% from three-point range, stretching defenses with multiple perimeter threats and interior options. Robbie Avila leads the offense with averages of 13.0 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 51.5% overall and 43.2% from beyond the arc. Avila scored 23 points in the win over Duquesne, including 21 in the second half, and added seven assists with just one turnover.
Dion Brown contributes with 11.0 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds per game, providing physical play on the glass. Trey Green adds 11.4 points per contest and shoots 46.1% from three, while Quentin Jones averages 10.0 points and 3.0 assists. Saint Louis averages 18.8 assists per game and moves the ball consistently in half-court sets, creating high-percentage looks. The Billikens also average 41.2 rebounds per game and limit second chances. Defensively, Saint Louis allows just 68.7 points per game and forces 12.5 turnovers. In the first matchup with Loyola Chicago, Saint Louis shot 54% from the field and controlled the paint early, building a double-digit lead by halftime and never allowing the Ramblers to generate sustained offense.
Injuries - Saint Louis Billikens
Saint Louis has no players listed on its injury report.
Loyola Chicago Has Major Offensive Problems
Loyola Chicago averages 66.8 points per game while allowing 76.8, one of the widest negative scoring margins in the conference. The Ramblers shoot 42% from the field and 30.9% from three, numbers that have limited their ability to keep pace with high-scoring opponents. Miles Rubin leads Loyola Chicago with averages of 11.1 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. Rubin scored 19 points in the win over Richmond and shot 7-for-10 from the field, showing a strong scoring touch around the rim.
Justin Moore averages 10.9 points and 3.8 assists, but also commits 3.0 turnovers per game. Xavier Amos adds 10.6 points per contest, though overall offensive production has fluctuated throughout conference play. Loyola Chicago averages 13.9 assists but turns the ball over 13.1 times per game, often struggling against defensive pressure. In the 86-59 loss to Saint Louis last month, the Ramblers shot 42% and committed key turnovers that led to transition points by the Bilikens. Defensively, Loyola Chicago allows 76.8 points per game and has struggled to contain teams that space the floor and shoot well from three.
Injuries - Loyola Chicago Ramblers
Justin Moore - Questionable, Chuck Love III - Questionable, Dominick Harris - Questionable, Kymany Houinsou - Questionable 
Loyola Chicago vs Saint Louis Pick - Spread
Saint Louis has significant advantages in scoring, field goal percentage, three-point shooting, rebounding, and overall form. The Billikens average more than 22 points per game above Loyola Chicago’s offensive output and play defense at a far higher level. The first meeting was not competitive, even though it was played on Loyola-Chicago's home court. Saint Louis’ ball movement forces the Ramblers’ defense to rotate and recover multiple times in each possession, which Loyola-Chicago will have a hard time accomplishing regularly. At home, with control of tempo and a far deeper bench, Saint Louis will build an early lead again and pull away by halftime. Lay the points with Saint Louis.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Ricky Tran | +4,795.00 |
| 2 |  Nick Parsons | +4,721.00 |
| 3 |  Mark Ruelle | +3,688.00 |
| 4 |  David Delano | +3,140.00 |
| 5 |  Trent Bets | +2,534.00 |
Loyola Chicago vs Saint Louis - Over/Under Pick
Saint Louis plays at a fast pace and averages nearly 90 points per game, while Loyola Chicago allows close to 77 per contest. Even if the Ramblers struggle offensively, Saint Louis’ shooting and transition scoring make a strong case for plenty of points scored. Loyola Chicago has allowed 76 or more in four of its last five losses. With Saint Louis dictating tempo at home, the total will finish over the closing line.
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