Free March Madness Picks Loyola Ramblers at Detroit Titans

The beginning 33rd annual Horizon League Tournament begins tonight, as the third-seeded Detroit Titans play host to the 10th seeded Loyola-Chicago Ramblers in first-round action from Calihan Hall.

The Loyola has a disappointing 7-22 record this season, and an even more horrendous 1-17 league ledger, but in a Horizon League where all 10 teams are invited to the tournament, it still gets a taste of the postseason despite finishing in last place. The Ramblers appeared to be turning things around a few weeks back by winning two of three but they closed the campaign with three straight losses.

Loyola Ramblers at Detroit Titans

When: Tuesday, February 28, 7:00 PM ET

Where: Calihan Hall, Detroit, Michigan

The Titans are given -13 NCAA odds at the opening so check out your sports book sites and do some line shopping if you interested in betting on the game. If you're unsure where to put your bet then read this free March madness picks for an in-depth analysis of the teams.

Detroit Titans (18-13)

The Titans have won a tie-breaker and has earned the third-seed. They have been wading in the middle of the pack in the Horizon League for most of the season until it jumped all the way to third place by closing the year with wins in nine of its final 11 games. Detroit finished with an 11-7 conference mark.

After a total of 120 meetings, Loyola-Chicago hold a 67-53 advantage over Detroit. The Titans have had the upper hand in recent years and they have won 7 straights over the Ramblers.

Loyola Ramblers

Most of Loyola's disappointment this season can be explained by its lacking strength in offense, as the team ranks last in the Horizon League with a scoring average of only 56.8 ppg, a number that's bad enough to rank it as one of the 10 worst offenses in all of Division I. The Ramblers have scored 50 points or fewer in eight games this season, but their shooting attack has been more effective of late, as they have scored more than their season average in six of the last 7 games.

Where Loyola had trouble with, Detroit has shined, as it possesses the most prolific offense in the Horizon League, averaging 72.3 ppg at 45.2 percent field goal efficiency.

Free March Madness Picks: Detroit Titans, 72, Loyola Ramblers 61