The Rice Owls (11-13, 3-8 CUSA) will be at the Murphy Athletic Center to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (6-18, 2-9 CUSA) in a CUSA matchup. Action starts at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.
Rice Owls at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Odds
In their last outing, the Blue Raiders were beaten by the North Texas Mean Green, 75-70, while the Owls defeated the UAB Blazers, 86-72.
Rice played a nearly perfect game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.273 (above their season average of 0.227) and a turnover percentage of 11.1 (better than their season average of 17.3). For those same stats, UAB recorded marks of 0.113 and 18.6, respectively. Middle Tennessee, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 42.1 (above their season average of 28.0). Middle Tennessee’s Reggie Scurry had a good game, finishing with 14 points and eight rebounds. Drew Peterson, meanwhile fueled Rice with 17 points, six assists and five rebounds.
The Owls dominated this series last year, securing victories in both games. In the last game, Rice won 67-61. One of Rice’s largest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 33 trips to the line, while Middle Tennessee went just 11 times. This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
Middle Tennessee could have difficulty getting to the charity stripe in this matchup. The Blue Raiders currently rank 207th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.217, while Rice ranks 52nd in FTA rate allowed (0.180).
Rice at Middle Tennessee Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Rice, ATS Winner – Rice, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Rice ranks 67th in assists per game (14.4) while Middle Tennessee ranks 184th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
- The Blue Raiders average 24.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 83rd in the NCAA. The Owls rank 187th in three pointers allowed per game (23.1).
- Middle Tennessee ranks 132nd in rebounds per game (36.1) while Rice ranks 213th in rebounds allowed per game (36.7).
Bettings Trends:
- The Owls’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 1.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Blue Raiders have scored an average of 71.4 points per game (0.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.0 points per game (3.1 below their season average).
