UAB Blazers vs
Rice OwlsPredictions & Preview

UAB Looks to Extend Winning Streak Against Struggling Rice Owls - Clash at Tudor Fieldhouse Tonight

UAB (16-9, 9-3 American) will be facing Rice (12-14, 3-10 American) at Tudor Fieldhouse on Wednesday night in an attempt to improve their position in the conference standings. The Blazers are coming off a recent victory against USF, while the Owls suffered a loss to Tulane. UAB has a strong record against Rice in their last 10 matchups. As the current betting favorite at -4, it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top in this UAB vs. Rice game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Blazers -191 | Owls +158
• Spread: Blazers -4 (-110) | Owls +4 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 154.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that UAB will win straight-up is 66%.

UAB vs Rice Stats

UAB Blazers

The UAB Blazers recently bounced back from a loss to East Carolina with a win over South Florida, marking their fourth win in their last five games. Currently tied for second in the American standings, the team is looking to close the gap with a win in their upcoming game on Wednesday. Led by Yaxel Lendeborg's 21 points and 19 rebounds, the Blazers scored 85 points in their last game, with Ja'Borri McGhee contributing 20 points and Alejandro Vasquez adding 15 points. However, the team has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 75.9 points per game. Offensively, UAB ranks 14th in scoring with an average of 83.38 points per game, making 46.90% of their field goals and 41.2% of their three-pointers. On the defensive end, they allow opponents to make 44.57% of field goals and 34.29% of three-pointers, ranking 290th in defense. The Blazers have a power ranking of 44 and are currently 16-9 this season.

Rice Owls Analysis

The Rice Owls have had a recent string of losses after a previous win over East Carolina. They will look to break their losing streak and secure their fourth conference win when they play on Wednesday. In their last game, they scored 78 points, with Jacob Dar leading the team with 21 points. Caden Powell added 18 points and Kellen Amos contributed 16 points. Defensively, the Owls give up an average of 69.8 points per game, but gave up 81 points in their last game and will need to improve on defense to secure a win. The Owls have a power ranking of 215 and are ranked #271 for offense, averaging 70.81 points per game, and #120 for defense, giving up an average of 69.77 points per game. Overall, the Owls have a record of 12-14 and UAB has gone 1-2 in their last three matchups against Rice. Their offensive statistics include shooting 42.34% of their field goals and 34.15% of their three-pointers. Defensively, they allow opponents to make 41.67% of their field goals and 32.50% of their three-pointers. The Owls average 38.46 rebounds per game and have 11.96 offensive assists and 11.15 defensive assists. Their turnover average is 12.31 on offense and 9.85 on defense.

UAB Dominates on Both Ends of the Court, Owls Struggle to Keep Up

UAB has demonstrated strong performance in their recent games, winning four out of their last five matchups. In contrast, the Owls have struggled, losing nine of their last 10 games. UAB's competitive advantage lies in their superior shooting accuracy, with a road shooting percentage of over 45%, compared to the Owls' 42% at home. Additionally, UAB has excelled at free throw shooting, making over 81% of their attempts in the past three games, whereas the Owls have fallen short, converting less than 70%. Furthermore, UAB has shown efficiency in rebounding, securing more than 14 offensive rebounds per game in their last three outings, resulting in increased scoring opportunities. Their ball security measures have also been commendable, limiting turnovers and minimizing opponents' scoring chances. Given the Owls' recent defensive struggles, allowing over 75 points per game in their last three matches, UAB is poised to maintain their momentum and cover the spread effectively.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]