Loyola Chicago vs. Saint Joseph’s Picks and Prediction for Saturday, February 21, 2026
Use Code WWWC Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-21) vs. Saint Joseph’s Hawks (16-10)
The college basketball betting action continues with another loaded Saturday card, including the A-10 showdown at Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena in Philadelphia, PA, so we’ve got the Loyola Chicago vs. Saint Joseph’s prediction.
The Ramblers square off against the Hawks for the second time this season. On January 27, Saint Joseph’s routed Loyola Chicago 85-64 as a 1.5-point road favorite, and the game went over the 143.5-point line.
Let’s take a closer look at this Loyola Chicago vs. Saint Joseph’s prediction, one of our NCAAB picks for Saturday’s slate. The tip-off is set at noon ET.
Loyola Chicago is in a bad place
The Loyola Chicago Ramblers (6-21; 8-19 ATS; 14-13 O/U) have dropped 12 of their previous 13 games overall. After stopping their nine-game slide with a 71-61 victory to La Salle, the Ramblers strung together three defeats against Davidson 84-64, Saint Louis 86-59, and Fordham 62-59. Loyola Chicago is now 2-12 in conference play.
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Last Wednesday, the Ramblers covered an 8.5-point spread at Fordham. They outscored the Rams 38-29 in the second half, but couldn’t find a way to come out on top. Senior forward Xavier Amos led the way for Loyola Chicago with 19 points and eight rebounds, while junior center Miles Rubin had 14 points and two boards.
Amos is one of three Ramblers with points per game in double digits. He averages 11.1 points and 4.1 rebounds on the season. Rubin posts 10.9 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, while junior guard Justin Moore tallies 10.9 points and 3.8 assists a night.
The Ramblers score 103.4 points per 100 possessions (276th in the nation) and allow 115.3 points in return (294th). They rank 322nd in the nation in 3-point percentage (30.7%) and 358th in opposing 3-point percentage (38.4%).
Saint Joseph’s looks to stay on track
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (16-10; 12-12 ATS; 8-16 O/U) snapped their two-game skid last Wednesday. After consecutive defeats against George Mason 60-52 on the road and Fordham 68-64 at home, the Hawks outlasted St. Bonaventure 71-65 as 5.5-point road underdogs. Saint Joseph’s is now 8-5 in conference play.
The Hawks held St. Bonaventure to 36.2% shooting from the field. Saint Joseph’s went 10-for-33 from beyond the arc and committed just nine turnovers. Senior guard Derek Simpson tortured the Bonnies for 23 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, while senior center Justice Ajogbor posted a line of 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.
Simpson has done a great job this season, averaging 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. Sophomore guard Jaiden Glover-Toscano tallies 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and junior forward Dasear Haskins adds 11.1 points and 6.3 boards a night.
The Hawks score 106.9 points per 100 possessions (222nd in the nation) and surrender 102.4 points in return (57th). They are 334th in the nation in 3-point percentage (30.3%) and 121st in opposing 3-point percentage (33.0%).
Loyola Chicago vs. Saint Joseph’s Pick
Spread Pick for Loyola Chicago vs. Saint Joseph’s
- Saint Joseph’s (4 units)
The Hawks are arguably a much better defensive team than the Ramblers. Saint Joseph’s ranks 41st in the nation in opposing 2-point percentage (47.4%) and 16th in defensive free-throw rate (.265). The Hawks have held their rivals below a 70-point mark in five of their previous six games overall, whereas the Ramblers have allowed 84 or more points in four of their past six outings at any location.
It’s fair to say that the Hawks’ offense leaves a lot to be desired, but Saint Joseph’s will find a way to get things going in this matchup. In that 21-point win at Loyola Chicago, the Hawks made 56.2% of their field goals (10-for-24 from deep) while holding the Ramblers to 34.8% shooting from the field (10-for-33).
Over/Under Pick for Loyola Chicago vs. Saint Joseph’s
- Under (4 units)
The total looks like a tricky wager. The Hawks heavily rely on their defense, while the Ramblers’ defense has been awful all season. I expect the Hawks’ offense to put on a solid performance in this game, but the Ramblers could easily struggle to score against the Hawks’ defense.
The under looks like a way to go because neither side plays at a fast pace. Each of the Hawks’ last five games overall has gone under the total, and the Hawks will lean on their defense to see off the Ramblers’ challenge.
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