Oregon State vs Loyola-Chicago: 2021 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV, odds
By Joey Loose
Oregon State and Loyola-Chicago match up in a surprise Sweet Sixteen showdown; who moves on to the Elite Eight?
TV schedule: Saturday, March 27, 2:40 pm ET. CBS
Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana
Line (via Odds Shark): Loyola (-6.5)
When the season began, you’d have been hard-pressed to find anyone who thought Oregon State (19-12) would make the Sweet Sixteen mere months later. The Beavers were picked last in the Pac-12 preseason poll but proceeded to win the Pac-12 Tournament and upset 5-seed Tennessee and 4-seed Oklahoma State. Do they have another big upset or two left in them this weekend?
These Beavers have gotten contributions from many players, with none more important than senior guard Ethan Thompson (15.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg). Thompson led the way with 26 points in their win over the Cowboys. Oregon State has also gotten some great efforts from sophomore guard Jarod Lucas (13.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg), who’s had 15 and 14 points respectively in the two games. There’s depth too, as sophomore forward Maurice Calloo (5.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg) just put up 15 points off the bench against Oklahoma State.
Oregon State earned their 12-seed with the Pac-12 Tournament title and continue to surprise the nation. They still sit at just 49th in KenPom, though their defense has been outstanding in the NCAA Tournament, putting up two of the best efforts of the entire season. They’ll need their offense to provide the spark on Saturday, but their defense will be just as important.
Across the court, a familiar face awaits the Beavers, as Loyola-Chicago (26-4) finds their way back in the Sweet Sixteen, just three years after their Final Four run. These Ramblers are no Cinderella; even as an 8-seed they are an absolute force, dispatching of 9-seed Georgia Tech and pulling a major upset (handily) over 1-seed Illinois.
There is incredible talent on this Ramblers team, but it all starts and ends with senior center Cameron Krutwig (15.0 ppg, 6.9 rpg). The MVC Player of the Year played a starring role on that Final Four team and continues to lead these Ramblers, putting up 19 points in that upset win over the Illini. Senior guard Lucas Williamson (8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg) was also on that Final Four team, leading the team with 21 points in the win against Georgia Tech.
It was a travesty how the committee greatly underseeded the Ramblers and they are certainly proving their worth. They currently sit at 9th in KenPom and top the nation in defensive efficiency. They’ve won five straight postseason games in dominant fashion, with that defense in particular frustrating opponents. With how the offense has played in recent weeks, can anything stop these Ramblers?
Just as we all expected, a Sweet Sixteen matchup between the 8-seed and the 12-seed. The Beavers handled Cade Cunningham, but the Ramblers pose their toughest challenge of the season. They’ll need to find a way to get Thompson involved early while containing Krutwig; easier said than done. For the Ramblers, that defensive intensity can lead them back to the Final Four, especially if they continue to play such dynamic offense.
Next. Ranking teams in the Sweet 16. dark
It’s pretty cool when you realize that no matter what happens, there will be a team in the Elite Eight that’s either an 8 or a 12-seed. The upsets have been profound and multiple this season. Even though the seeds seem close, Oregon State is facing its toughest opponent yet. Upsetting the Ramblers will take a complete team effort. Anything can happen, as these are two of the hottest teams in the nation; but I feel like the Beavers won’t have the answer for Krutwig and this defense.