It will be a battle between CUSA opponents when the Rice Owls (8-12, 3-4 CUSA) welcome the UAB Blazers (13-7, 5-2 CUSA) to Tudor Fieldhouse. The game is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 26, 2019.
UAB Blazers at Rice Owls Betting Prediction
In the Blazers’ last game, they beat the North Texas Mean Green, 52-49. The Blazers had a much better free throw rate (0.143 vs. 0.017) and held the Mean Green to an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.6 (below their season average of 33.4). UAB was led by Makhtar Gueye, who recorded nine points and 13 rebounds.
The Owls beat the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in their last game, 79-68. The Owls had an absurd free throw rate of 0.389 (above their season average of 0.265) and had a turnover percentage of 12.8 (better than their season average of 16.2). Chris Mullins led Rice in scoring with 19 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the field.
After the Blazers won the only contest against the Owls last season, 61-56, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Blazers made 13 of their 16 free throws (81.3 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.471 vs. 0.440).
Second-chance points might be rare for Rice in this showdown. The Owls are among the nation’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 254th in offensive rebounding percentage at 26.5 percent. Meanwhile, UAB ranks 62nd in the country at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.7 percent.
UAB Blazers at Rice Owls Free Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Rice, ATS Winner – Rice, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Rice ranks 61st in three pointers attempted per game (25.7) while UAB ranks 226th (20.1).
The Blazers rank 40th in rebounds allowed per game (31.9) while the Owls rank 195th (36.3).
UAB allows the 48th-fewest blocks per game (2.8) while Rice ranks 51st (2.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Blazers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.0, down from 4.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Owls have scored an average of 75.0 points per game (0.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.0 points per game (4.6 below their season average).
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