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Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago Prediction Tonight: Best Odds, Picks & Preview for NIT Semifinal

Mike Spector

Last Updated: April 1, 2025 6:30 PM EDT • 4 min 35 sec read.

Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago Prediction Tonight: Best Picks, Preview & Odds for NIT Semifinal
Pictured: Loyola Chicago Ramblers guard Des Watson (0) is fouled while shooting by VCU Rams guard Max Shulga (11). Photo by Geoff Burke via Imagn Images.

The Chattanooga Mocs (27-9) take on the Loyola Chicago Ramblers (25-11) in the second of two NIT semifinals tonight. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, with the winner clinching a spot in the NIT final.

Our Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago prediction, odds, and preview expect the underdogs to prevail once again. The Ramblers are 2.5-point betting favorites - based on the best NIT odds - at our best sports betting sites. Oddsmakers expect a photo finish in tonight's semifinal, but which team will advance to the championship game?

🏀 Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago prediction & picks for tonight

Here are my best Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago predictions for tonight's semifinal of the National Invitational Tournament; use our parlay calculator to get the best odds for any same-game parlay:

✅ Against the spread pick: Chattanooga +2.5 (-110 via BetMGM) vs. Loyola Chicago ⭐⭐⭐⭐
🔥 Player prop pick: Jayden Dawson Under 14.5 points (-110 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
🎯 Exact score prediction: Chattanooga 72, Loyola Chicago 71 (+16000 via DraftKings)

👉 Want more picks? Check out our latest college basketball picks and the rest of our March Madness predictions.

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🏆 Best Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago pick & score prediction

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✅ Chattanooga to cover the spread: +2.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Mocs have excelled in the underdog role in NIT, winning three straight games as ‘dogs. Chattanooga is a profitable 8-4 SU as underdogs this season, and the Mocs are tough to prep for, given a pressing style the Ramblers haven’t faced much of.

Chattanooga showed its mettle in overturning a 16-point first-half deficit in a road game against Bradley in the last round. The Mocs scored 1.10 points per possession against a usually stout Braves defense and carved Bradley up with a 17-5 assist-to-turnover ratio.

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Loyola Chicago is overvalued in this matchup after beating Kent State by 10 at home, with the Ramblers losing six of their 10 games away from home leading up to the NIT. On a neutral court, I’ll back the underdog Mocs at +2.5. Of our best sports betting sites, we recommend locking this pick in at BetMGM. 

📊 Best odds: -110 via BetMGM ($10 to win $9.09)

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🔥 Player prop pick: Jayden Dawson Under 14.5 points ⭐⭐⭐

Dawson is Loyola Chicago’s leading scorer, averaging 13.7 points per game. But he has hit the Under on this projected total three times in the last four games, including being held to single digits twice.

Chattanooga entered its last game graded in the 18th percentile in overall ball screen defense, its biggest weakness. However, Loyola Chicago does not utilize ball screens as much as most teams; instead, it operates more in motion sets with back cuts.

That should play into the Mocs' hands defensively. In addition, Chattanooga has allowed fewer than 35 points in each of its last five halves in regulation after being torched for 48 points in the first half of its opening NIT game against Middle Tennessee.

📊 Best odds: -110 via FanDuel ($10 to win $9.09)

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🎯 Score prediction: Chattanooga 72, Loyola Chicago 71

Chattanooga won three games against teams that made the NCAA Tournament this season and impressively scored 74 points in a non-conference matchup against a Saint Mary’s team that allowed just 61.1 points per game. 

That’s why I think the Mocs have a great chance of pulling a fourth straight upset in the NIT, and I am predicting a final score of Chattanooga 72, Loyola Chicago 71.

📊 Best odds: +16000 via DraftKings ($10 to win $1600)

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🤖 Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago AI prediction

For entertainment purposes, we asked ChatGPT to analyze historical trends and live NIT Tournament stats before predicting the winner and exact score for Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago. Our AI prediction projects a final score of Chattanooga 72, Loyola Chicago 68.

🖥️ AI score prediction: Chattanooga 72, Loyola Chicago 68

  • The Mocs have been firing on all cylinders offensively. Their depth and ability to spread the floor make them a tough matchup for Loyola's defense.
  • Loyola Chicago ranks among the top 45 in 2-point percentage defense. If it can slow down Chattanooga’s perimeter shooters, it’ll have a shot at an upset.
  • Chattanooga has thrived in the NIT with an impressive 6-1 record in its last seven tournament games.

🤔 Betting takeaway: ChatGPT's AI prediction would mean Chattanooga covering the spread (+2.5) and a total of Under 146.5 points. ChatGPT is not a dedicated sports betting model, but it can identify data that NIT bettors might overlook.

📊 Live Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago odds

Follow the latest live NIT college basketball odds and real-time college basketball scores.

Loyola Chicago opened up as a 2.5-point betting favorite, and that is where the Ramblers have remained in the hours leading up to tipoff tonight. Their moneyline odds (up to -140 from -135) have shortened a bit, but that's the only slight shift in the game lines ahead of tonight's win-or-go-home semifinal showdown.

🔢 Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago opening odds

  • Spread: Chattanooga +2.5 (-110) | Loyola Chicago -2.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Chattanooga +110 | Loyola Chicago -135
  • Over/Under: Over 146.5 (-110) | Under 146.5 (-110)

📺 How to watch Chattanooga vs. Loyola Chicago: NIT Semifinal

📅 Date: Tuesday, April 1
🕗 Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
📍 Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse (Indianapolis)
📺 TV: ESPN2
💻 Streaming: ESPN+

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Written By:
Mike Spector
Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”