Rice Owls vs
East Carolina PiratesPredictions & Preview

Rice Owls Look to Upset East Carolina Pirates in AAC Showdown at Minges Coliseum

In an upcoming American Athletic Conference matchup, the Rice Owls will face off against the East Carolina Pirates at Minges Coliseum. The Owls, currently 11-11, are on a seven-game losing streak and are six games behind first place in the AAC standings. East Carolina, with a record of 12-10, had a three-game winning streak snapped in overtime by Temple. Several players on both teams are questionable for the game. East Carolina enters as the -7.5 betting favorite, with the line remaining steady. For a more detailed prediction of the outcome, check out our NCAAB picks for Rice Owls vs. East Carolina Pirates. Let the madness begin!

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Owls +250 | Pirates -320
• Spread: Owls +7.5 (-110) | Pirates -7.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 137 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that East Carolina will win straight-up is 76%.

Rice vs East Carolina Stats

Rice Owls

The Rice Owls basketball team has had a mixed performance this season. They score an average of 70.7 points per game and allow an average of 69.5 points per game, ranking 274th and 118th respectively. Offensively, they shoot 41.8% overall (325th) and 32.8% from 3-point territory (245th). Defensively, Rice holds opponents to 41.4% shooting overall (74th) and 32.0% shooting from 3-point territory (109th). Trae Broadnax leads the team in scoring with 13.0 points per game and an average of 4.3 assists per game. Caden Powell leads in rebounds with 7.0 per game and Alem Huseinovic leads in steals with 0.8 per game. With a power ranking of 230, Rice is ranked 282 in offense and 95 in defense, with a record of 11-11 (11-10 ATS) this season. Offensively, they hit 41.66% of their field goals (327th) and 68.34% of their free throws (292nd), along with 32.42% of their 3-pointers (269th). Defensively, Rice allows 40.68% field goals (50th) and 71.71% free throws (194th), as well as 31.01% of 3-pointers (68th). They average 39.24 rebounds per game (34th) and have 11.71 offensive assists and 12.86 turnovers per game. On defense, they have 34.90 defensive rebounds per game and average 10.10 defensive assists and 10.10 turnovers per game.

East Carolina Pirates Analysis

The East Carolina Pirates maintain a power ranking of 146 and have a record of 12-10 (10-10 ATS). Offensively, they score an average of 76.23 points per game, shooting 43.43% from the field and 30.15% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow an average of 72.41 points per game, with opponents shooting 43.53% overall and 37.61% from beyond the arc. RJ Felton leads the team in scoring with 17.9 points per game, while CJ Walker follows closely with 17.5 points per game. Cam Hayes leads in assists with 3.8 per game, while Felton leads in rebounds with 7.5 per game. Jordan Riley leads in steals with 2.2 per game and Jayshayne Woodard in blocked shots with 0.8 per game. The Pirates rank 127th in offense and 215th in defense in the nation. In their last 3 matchups, Rice has a record of 1-2 (1-2 ATS) against East Carolina. The Pirates rank 39th in rebounds per game and show strengths in offensive assists but struggle with turnovers and defending against three-point shots.

Rice Owls Defense Dominates as Team Exceeds Expectations, Set to Topple East Carolina's Weak Defense

The Rice Owls have consistently exceeded expectations in recent games, covering the spread in two consecutive matches and three out of the last four. This success can largely be attributed to Rice's strong defensive performance this season, with the team limiting opponents to an average of 69.5 points per game and a shooting percentage of 41.4%. Notably, the Owls have been particularly effective at defending the perimeter, with opponents shooting just 32% from long distance. In contrast, East Carolina has struggled defensively, allowing an average of 72.5 points per game and a shooting percentage of 43.5%. The Pirates have shown weaknesses in their perimeter defense, with opponents shooting an average of 37.6% from 3-point range, ranking 352nd in the nation. Although Rice may not be the most efficient shooting team, they are expected to take advantage of East Carolina's defensive vulnerabilities and secure a close victory to cover the spread.

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