Loyola slight favorites in Round 1

The 9-seed Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (17-8) meet the 8-seed Loyola Chicago Ramblers (24-4) Friday, March 19 in the first round of the Midwest Regional Friday at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for a 4 p.m. ET tip-off.

Below, we look at the early March Madness Round 1 matchup Georgia Tech-Loyola Chicago odds and lines. Will one of these teams end up as this year’s National Champion? Don’t forget to check out all of the teams’ March Madness odds.

Georgia Tech pulled off the mild upset over Florida State in the ACC Championship Game in Greensboro, N.C. as 4.5-point underdogs, winning the league title for the first time in 27 years. They hadn’t even appeared in the Final since 2010.

The Yellow Jackets had an assist from COVID, as Virginia was forced out of Saturday’s game due to a positive test within the program. But the Jackets beat Miami in the opener, and FSU in the title game, so take nothing away from the accomplishment of head coach Josh Pastner’s bunch.

Overall, the Yellow Jackets have won eight in a row, so they might be the hottest thing going from the ACC right now. They’re also 8-1 ATS across the past nine games overall while hitting the Over in four of the past five.

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We all remember Loyola’s run to the Final Four as an 11-seed back in 2018, and who could forget Sister Jean? She is now 101 years old and hopeful of attending despite the COVID-19 global pandemic and restrictions.

Loyola owns an 8-seed this season, higher than their improbable 2018, but will the sequel be as good as the original run?

This team rambled through the Missouri Valley Conference tournament with wins over Southern Illinois, Indiana State and Drake by 10 or more points, covering all three games.

They’re also on a six-game win streak since a 51-50 overtime setback at Drake on Feb. 14. Their last loss in regulation came Jan. 10 at Indiana State.

The Ramblers were cover kings in-season, going 10-1-1 ATS during a 12-game stretch from Dec. 27-Feb. 1. Books adjusted, and the Ramblers hit the rocks, going 1-6 ATS in the final seven games to close out the regular season.

Georgia Tech vs. Loyola Chicago: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Monday at 9:54 p.m. ET.

• Money line: Georgia Tech +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Loyola Chicago (bet $150 to win $100)
• Against the spread/ATS: Georgia Tech +2.5 (-110) | Loyola Chicago -2.5 (-110)
• Over/Under: 125.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)

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