The Rice Owls (1-2) and the UNLV Runnin Rebels (3-0) go head-to-head in the MGM Resorts Main Event Heavyweight at T-Mobile Arena. Action begins at 10 p.m. ET on Monday, November 20, 2017.
UNLV Runnin Rebels vs. Rice Owls ATS Preview
The Runnin Rebels were victorious over the Eastern Washington Eagles in their last outing, 91-76. With 13 points, 18 rebounds and six assists, Shakur Juiston had a solid performance for UNLV. UNLV played a nearly perfect game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.404 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.596. Eastern Washington put up marks of 0.268 and 0.401, respectively, for those same stats.
In the Owls last game, they blew out the Northwestern State Demons, 87-65. Rice rallied around Connor Cashaw, who was the top scorer from either team with 27 points on 9-for-16 shooting. The Owls had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.670 vs. 0.425) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (29.6 vs. 25.6).
Since the 2016-17 season, a focal point for the Rice offense has been to get to and convert from the free throw line. The Owls rank 12th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.313), but UNLV has been among the best in the nation at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 38th by yielding a FTA rate of 0.199).
UNLV Runnin Rebels vs. Rice Owls Free Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Rice, ATS Winner – Rice, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Owls rank 63rd in three pointers attempted per game (24.0) while the Runnin Rebels rank 141st in three pointers allowed per game (20.8).
- Rice averages 13.8 assists per game, which ranks 147th in the NCAA. UNLV ranks 174th in assists allowed per game (13.4).
- Rice ranks 32nd in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while UNLV ranks 261st (4.5).
- The Owls average 38.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 64th in the NCAA. The Runnin Rebels rank 267th in rebounds allowed per game (37.9).
- UNLV ranks 134th in steals allowed per game (6.1) while Rice ranks 252nd (7.3).
