Did some more work on this game and checked in with a few people and I think Loyola is going to be very up for this game. Getting destroyed at home last year brought out the best in a less talented version of this team a year ago. Better roster and coaching staff now. I expect the kids on campus to be into this one. I don't think Lafayette will be able to score with them. Hounds have scored 72+ in 5 of 6 Patriot League games. Leopards have topped 70 points once in their last 9 games. Some smart hoops heads I know believe this line is far too kind to Lafayette.

Lafayette is 1-9 on the road and lost 5 in a row away from home. The Leopards are 2-9 in their last 11 Patriot League games dating back to their collapse last season, losing 5 straight (including conference tourney). They held the Hounds to 44 in Baltimore last year, then got blown out by them at home two weeks later. The Hounds are old school - shoot fewest threes in conference, are great on offensive boards, second best rebounding margin in conference. If Loyola gets up at home, their perimeter defense could be a big factor - second-best in conference defending the three-ball. Lafayette is 3-11 in the Patriot League since early Feb of last season and have lost 6 straight conference games on road.

Despite being just 2-7 over their last nine games, Lafayette is garnering the respect of oddsmakers today against Loyola Maryland. The Leopards may be losing but they have been in a majority of their conference games outside of their latest loss to Colgate. Prior in their five conference games they won two, and the other three were decided by three points or less. Grab Lafayette plus the points.