It has been 55 years since the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers have won the national championship. Is it to much to ask for them to do it again? Having scored a win already, they will not attempt to bust their way into the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday evening when they lock horns with the Tennessee Volunteers in a game that is set to begin at 6:10 PM ET at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Remember that if you are a BetAnySports customer, you can take advantage of what is available trough Live Betting Ultra to place wagers while the action is ongoing.

Loyola beat Miami 64-62 on Thursday action to bring its record to 29-5 straight-up (21-9 ATS), and in the process, a team that has produced 60% of its baskets as a result of an assist had 19 "dimes" on the evening. This is a great example of an ensemble, as they have four players - Cameron Krutwig, Donte Ingram, Clayton Custer and Marques Townes - averaging in double figures. And this is a team that ranks among the top fifteen teams in the country in both two-point and three-point shooting. That sounds like the kind of thing that could keep any defense off-balance. Will that be what happens to Rick Barnes and his Tennessee contingent?

The Volunteers have revived themselves lately, and the same goes for the rest of the SEC. They have achieved the #3 seed with a record that rose to 26-8 (19-13 ATS) with an easy victory over Wright State to open things. Yes, they have capable offensive players but they really got where they are through defense. And this team, according to the figures for Adjusted Defensive Efficiency that appear at KenPom.com, the Vols are fifth-best in the nation.

In the odds at BetAnySports through which we will make our March Madness predictions, Tennessee is laying points:

Tennessee Volunteers -5.5
Loyola-Chicago Ramblers +5.5

Over 130 points -110
Under 130 points -110

It is entirely conceivable that Loyola could catch fire and get hot enough to overwhelm Tennessee. But there are a couple of things that have to be understood. The Ramblers are not a very big team, and the Vols are the type of team that might be able to bully them on the inside in a way that, say, Miami wasn't able to. That's because Barnes' most formidable offensive weapons are up front. We're talking about 6-7 Grant Williams and 6-5 Admiral Schofield, who were indeed a formidable duo a couple of days ago, combining for 29 points and 21 rebounds.

Also, Tennessee has players in reserve who can add something "instant," whether it's offense or defense. One of the best sixth men in the nation is Lamonte Turner, a 6-1 sophomore guard who came up huge in the NCAA lid-lifter, with 19 points and a sizzling playmaking display, with nine assists and just one turnover. And Barnes sings the praises of James Daniel, a graduate transfer who led the nation in scoring two seasons ago when he was at Howard, but since coming to Tennessee has been known as a dogged defender. he's another guy who has embraced his role.

Sure, Loyola is capable, and they can defend as well (25th in efficiency), but the Vols own enough edges here that we can afford them our recommendation.

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