Handicappers Picks

Butler vs. Loyola-Chicago
Free Pick: Loyola-Chicago +11.5 (January 21st 2010 – Matt Fargo)

Butler is overpriced once again which comes as no surprise. The Bulldogs are ranked 20th in the nation and are a very public team as always so these lines need to be on the high side. Butler is only 7-11 ATS on the season including a 3-5 ATS mark at home and 4-6 ATS record on the road (neutral games included). This after the Bulldogs went 17-13 ATS last season so they are obviously having trouble putting teams away. As a favorite between 5 and 15 points, Butler is 2-6 ATS and that is a good indicator as that price range is where the majority is as it excludes games against really good competition and really bad competition. The Ramblers fall into this parameter and are better than average. Loyola-Chicago is off to a solid 12-5 start to the season. It had won seven straight games before losing to Detroit at home three weeks back which started a three-game slide but it recovered with a road win at rival Illinois-Chicago last time out. The schedule has not been nearly as tough as that of the Bulldogs but the Ramblers are 7-1 at home this season and that has to count for something. Coming off a loss has been a strength this season as the Ramblers are 4-1 ATS in this spot on the year and as a home underdog, they are a perfect 3-0 both straight up and against the number. Butler meanwhile covered its last game by 11.5 points as it won by 30 points at home against Youngstown St. That does not bode well as the Bulldogs are 0-6 ATS in their last games following a cover as a double-digit favorite. Loyola-Chicago won the last meeting at Butler last season which sets up a revenge spot for the Bulldogs however the Ramblers will be highly motivated after the Bulldogs defeated them at home last season prior to that by 23 points. It should also be noted that Butler was favored by just 6.5 points in that game and that was against a much worse Ramblers team that won just 14 games all of last season. 3* Loyola-Chicago Ramblers

Related posts:

1. Free College Basketball Pick: Butler vs. Cleveland State: February 13th 2010
2. Free Pick: Butler vs. Wisconsin Green Bay: January 29th 2010
3. NCAA Basketball Prediction: Wright State vs. Butler: March 9th 2010
4. Free College Basketball Pick: Duke vs. Georgetown: January 30th 2010
5. Free College Basketball Pick: Georgetown vs. Syracuse: January 25th 2010