In their final home game of the season, the Rice Owls (9-15, 4-7 CUSA) host the Marshall Thundering Herd (13-11, 6-5 CUSA) at Tudor Fieldhouse. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. Rice Owls Betting Prediction
In the Thundering Herd’s last contest, they were thoroughly outplayed by the North Texas Mean Green, 78-51. North Texas out-rebounded Marshall. The Mean Green had 18 offensive rebounds and 55 total rebounds, while the Thundering Herd had five and 30, respectively. Taevion Kinsey was Marshall’s leading scorer with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
The Owls were beaten by the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in their last contest, 92-85. Western Kentucky’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Rice. The Hilltoppers had a rate of 0.500 (below their season average of 0.508), while the Owls posted a mark of 0.455 (below their season average of 0.519). Rice’s Quentin Millora-Brown contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds in the contest.
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Rice offense. Rice ranks 135th in the country in ball protection (turnover percentage of 18.3 percent), while the pesky defense of Marshall forces the 32nd-most turnovers in the country (22.8 percent). Furthermore, the Thundering Herd rank 327th in offensive rebounding percentage (23.1 percent), while the Owls rank 56th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.8 percent).
After the Thundering Herd won the lone contest against the Owls last season, 93-80, these teams will clash for the first time this year. Marshall had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.675 vs. 0.486). Rice, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (29.5 vs. 17.2).
Marshall Thundering Herd at Rice Owls ATS Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Rice, ATS Winner – Rice, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Rice ranks 77th in rebounds per game (37.4) while Marshall ranks 293rd in rebounds allowed per game (42.6).
The Thundering Herd rank sixth in steals per game (9.6) while the Owls rank 193rd (4.9).
Marshall ranks 19th in three pointers attempted per game (28.0) while Rice ranks 188th in three pointers allowed per game (23.5).
The Thundering Herd rank 110th in assists per game (14.1) while the Owls rank 212th in assists allowed per game (14.8).
Marshall ranks 28th in blocks per game (4.7) while Rice ranks 104th (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Thundering Herd’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 18.2, up from 3.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Owls have scored an average of 78.2 points per game (2.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 78.0 points per game (0.9 below their season average).
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