It will be a battle between CUSA opponents when the UTEP Miners (5-9, 0-3 CUSA) welcome the Rice Owls (7-10, 2-2 CUSA) to the Don Haskins Center. The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 12, 2019.
Rice Owls vs. UTEP Miners ATS Prediction
In the Owls’ last game, they were topped by the UTSA Roadrunners, 95-79. UTSA’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Rice. The Roadrunners had a rate of 9.2 (better than their season average of 16.1), while the Owls posted a mark of 16.9. Quentin Millora-Brown put together a good outing for Rice, contributing 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Miners fell to the North Texas Mean Green in their last matchup, 58-51. North Texas out-rebounded UTEP. The Mean Green had 14 offensive rebounds and 43 total rebounds, while the Miners had six and 28, respectively. UTEP’s Efe Odigie had a good performance, leading both teams in scoring with 13 points on 6-for-11 shooting.
Second-chance points might be rare for UTEP in this contest. The Miners currently rank 259th in offensive rebounding percentage (26.7 percent), while Rice ranks 74th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.6 percent).
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, the Owls won 76-70. The Owls had a much better free throw rate (0.281 vs. 0.092) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 23.1).
Rice Owls vs. UTEP Miners Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Utep, ATS Winner – Rice, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Rice ranks 57th in three pointers attempted per game (25.8) while UTEP ranks 239th (19.3).
The Miners rank 31st in assists allowed per game (10.6) while the Owls rank 208th (15.5).
UTEP ranks 133rd in rebounds per game (36.1) while Rice ranks 171st in rebounds allowed per game (36.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Owls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 4.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Miners have scored an average of 62.4 points per game (4.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.0 points per game (0.7 below their season average).
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