Rice Owls vs
South Florida BullsPredictions & Preview

Rice Owls set to take on South Florida Bulls in AAC showdown: Key players may be unavailable, South Florida favored

In an upcoming American Athletic Conference matchup, the Rice Owls (11-9, 2-5 AAC) will face off against the South Florida Bulls (10-10, 3-4 AAC) at the Yuengling Center in Tampa. Both teams are coming off recent losses, with Rice on a five-game losing streak and South Florida losing four of their last five games. Key players for both teams may be unavailable, with Jalen Smith out for Rice and Trey Patterson questionable, while South Florida's Jamille Reynolds is also questionable. South Florida is currently favored in the betting lines, opening at -4 and currently at -5.5. For a detailed prediction and top NCAAB picks for the game, be sure to read the full analysis. Basketball fans can anticipate an exciting matchup as both teams compete for victory.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Owls +171 | Bulls -210
• Spread: Owls +5.5 (-110) | Bulls -5.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 141.25 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that South Florida will win straight-up is 68%.

Rice vs South Florida Stats

Rice Owls

The Rice Owls basketball team has had a mixed performance this season, with an average of 70.4 points scored per game and 68.7 points allowed. The team shoots 41.7% overall and 32.5% from 3-point territory, while holding opponents to 40.7% shooting overall and 31.1% from 3-point territory. Leading scorer Trae Broadnax averages 12.8 points per game, with Caden Powell leading in rebounds and Alem Huseinovic in steals. With a power ranking of 271, Rice ranks 281 in offense and 79 in defense, with a record of 11-9 this season. Offensively, they have shooting percentages ranked in the mid-200s, but excel in rebounding and assists. Defensively, they have solid field goal percentages but struggle with three-pointers. Overall, the Owls have shown potential but have room for improvement in key areas.

South Florida Bulls Analysis

The South Florida Bulls have an average of 76.1 points per game with a shooting percentage of 46.3% and 33.8% from three-point range. On defense, they allow an average of 73.0 points per game and hold opponents to 43.7% shooting overall and 31.2% from three-point territory. Jayden Reid leads the team in scoring with 12.4 points per game, while Jamille Reynolds, who is questionable, follows closely with 11.6 points per game. Reid also leads in assists and steals, while Reynolds leads in rebounds and blocked shots. The team has a power ranking of 289 and is ranked 113th in offense and 246th in defense. They have a record of 10-10 overall. In terms of shooting, the Bulls have a field goal percentage of 46.86% and a free throw percentage of 74.05%. On defense, they allow opponents to shoot 43.87% from the field and 75.91% from the free-throw line.

Rice Dominates Defensively Compared to South Florida, Key Player May Be Absent

Rice's defensive statistics demonstrate their superior performance compared to South Florida. The Owls allow opponents an average of 68.7 points per game on 40.7% shooting overall, with a mere 31.1% shooting success from 3-point range. In contrast, South Florida permits an average of 73.0 points per game on 43.7% shooting with a 31.2% success rate from beyond the arc. Furthermore, South Florida's key player, Jamille Reynolds, may be absent from upcoming games due to injury, impacting the team's offensive and defensive capabilities. Rice, on the other hand, maintains a formidable defense by limiting opponents to 66.7 points per game on 40.7% shooting overall, and excels at defending the perimeter with a stingy 31.1% 3-point shooting success rate. It is worth noting that South Florida has failed to cover the spread in their last four games.

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