West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers prediction: Loyola's 14 newcomers debut against West Georgia's up-tempo Wolves
Last season's numbers barely describe a Loyola roster rebuilt from scratch, so this opening-week closer is mostly a first look at new Ramblers against a faster West Georgia team.
| Spread | Loyola Chicago -15 |
|---|---|
| Total (over/under) | 142.25 |
- A rebuilt Loyola closes its opening week at home against a West Georgia team on its second Chicago-area stop in three days.
- Watch Loyola's new perimeter group: last season's Ramblers lived behind the arc but shot just 31.7% from three.
- No spread or total is posted yet; last season's final adjusted net ratings had Loyola 274th and West Georgia 303rd.
A roster built from scratch
Loyola finished 9-24 last season and answered by clearing the shelves. Only Xavier Amos and Nic Anderson return as letterwinners. The 14 newcomers are 12 transfers, one true freshman and international Guillaume Grotzinger. Drew Valentine is still the coach, but almost everyone he coaches is new.
That makes last season's Loyola numbers a weak guide. By adjusted efficiency (points per 100 possessions, adjusted for opponents), the Ramblers ended last season with a net rating of -10.2, 274th nationally. The players who produced that number are mostly gone. Miles Rubin left for Tennessee, and Justin Moore and Deywilk Tavarez left for Hofstra.
The new faces include Donald Hand Jr., a four-year transfer from Boston College, Dayan Nassah from Cleveland State and Sterling Knox, who came from Creighton by way of Independence CC. Hand's status is unconfirmed: his offseason knee recovery was last described as ongoing, with no newer word. Preseason expectations vary widely. One A-10 poll put Loyola fifth, another eighth of 14.
The three-point question
Last season's Loyola offense was built on volume from deep. The Ramblers took 47.7% of their shots from three, 28th in the country, but made only 31.7%, which ranked 307th. Their defense was just as exposed on the perimeter: opponents shot 36.8% from three, 350th of 365.
West Georgia played the other way. The Wolves rarely shot threes, but they protected the rim. Their block rate of 13.0% ranked 27th, which makes them a tough team to finish against inside. If Loyola's new guards bring better shooting, the Ramblers can play over that rim protection. If they don't, those blocked shots become fast breaks the other way.
Tempo and loose balls
West Georgia wanted to run last season, at 70.3 possessions per 40 minutes (61st). Loyola crawled at 65.2, 298th. A new Loyola backcourt will set its own pace, but the Wolves will try to speed things up.
Ball security was Loyola's other weak spot last season. The Ramblers turned it over on 19.9% of possessions, 342nd nationally, and forced turnovers at a 13.1% rate that ranked 360th. West Georgia didn't apply much pressure either, with a forced turnover rate of 14.9% (319th). Neither defense is likely to create many extra possessions, so this should come down to shooting.
A Chicago swing for the Wolves
This is the back half of a Chicago-area trip for West Georgia, which plays at DePaul on Nov 2 before coming to Gentile Arena. Dave Moore's group went 15-17 last season and finished 303rd in adjusted net efficiency at -12.9. The Wolves aren't eligible for the NCAA tournament or the NIT until 2028-29, so every game this season is about building the program.
West Georgia's offseason changes include Vermont transfer David Simon and new assistants Chase Crawford and Andell Cumberbatch. Tip time hasn't been announced.
West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers line movement and odds
| Book | Wolves ML | Ramblers ML | Wolves spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN BET | +750 | -1400 | +16.5 (-115) | o143.5 (-115) |
| Fanatics | +1100 | -2000 | +16 (-110) | o143.5 (-110) |
| FanDuel | +1100 | -2500 | +15.5 (-102) | o144.5 (-115) |
| Polymarket US (fee incl.) | +1075 | -1683 | — | — |
Where the money is on West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers
On the Kalshi moneyline: West Georgia Wolves: 80% of bets, 88% of the money; Loyola (Chi) Ramblers: 20% of bets, 13% of the money.
West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers stats (this season)
| Stat | West Georgia Wolves | Loyola (Chi) Ramblers |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Adjusted offensive efficiency | 101.0 (308th of 365) | 104.3 (259th of 365) |
| Adjusted defensive efficiency | 113.9 (267th of 365) | 114.6 (280th of 365) |
| Adjusted net efficiency | -12.9 (303rd of 365) | -10.2 (274th of 365) |
| Pace | 71.5 (168th of 349) | 62.0 (333rd of 349) |
| Effective FG% | 39.9% (313th of 348) | 51.5% (192nd of 348) |
| Opponent effective FG% | 45.5% (148th of 348) | 43.6% (123rd of 348) |
| Turnover rate | 16.9% (153rd of 348) | 16.1% (140th of 348) |
| Offensive rebound % | 23.9% (288th of 348) | 57.9% (6th of 348) |
| 3-point % | 32.1% (177th of 348) | 27.6% (246th of 348) |
| Free throw rate | 10.1% (343rd of 348) | 19.1% (315th of 348) |
Numbers that matter
| Loyola 3-point attempt rate, last season | 47.7% | Ranked 28th nationally, showing how much the old Ramblers depended on threes. |
|---|---|---|
| Loyola opponent 3-point %, last season | 36.8% | Ranked 350th of 365, the clearest weakness the new roster has to fix. |
| West Georgia block rate, last season | 13.0% | Ranked 27th, giving the Wolves real rim protection against Loyola's drives. |
| West Georgia pace, last season | 70.3 | 61st nationally, compared with Loyola's 298th-ranked pace of 65.2. |
West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers: quick answers
Who is favored in West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers?
Loyola Chicago is favored by 15 points (Loyola Chicago -15).
What is the over/under for West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers?
The total is 142.25 points.
When is West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers?
Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.
Where is West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers played?
Gentile Arena, Chicago, IL.
Has the line moved for West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers?
No: West Georgia Wolves has stayed at +15.5, and the total moved from 142.5 to 143.5 (consensus of the regulated US sportsbooks since we first saw the game).
Where is the money on West Georgia Wolves vs Loyola (Chi) Ramblers?
On the Kalshi moneyline: West Georgia Wolves: 80% of bets, 88% of the money; Loyola (Chi) Ramblers: 20% of bets, 13% of the money.