UAB vs Rice Prediction - Basketball Picks 3/9/23

The Rice Owls will play the UAB Blazers in the Quarterfinals of the C-USA Tournament on Thursday night at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.

Rice Preview

The Rice Owls are 18-14 (8-12) this season after they defeated UTSA by a score of 72-71 in their last game. Rice led this game by nine points at halftime, but nearly blew the game after only scoring 30 points in the second half. Rice shot 49.2% from the field, but only 21.7% on three pointers in the win. The Owls were -7 in rebounding margin and turned the ball over 11 times in the game. The Rice Owls are averaging 77.4 points per game, 76.2 points against per game, 35 rebounds per game, and 15.4 assists per game. Quincy Olivari has led the Owls this season with 19.3 points per game, 5.9 rebounds per game, and 2.2 assists per game. Rice is shooting 46.7% from the field, 73.8% on free throws, and 35.9% on three pointers this year. 

UAB Preview

The UAB Blazers are 23-8 (14-6) this season after they defeated Charlotte in double overtime by a score of 93-91 in their last game. UAB really struggled to put away a Charlotte team that played one of the better games of the season. UAB shot 47.5% from the field and made 9 three pointers in the win. The Blazers recorded 45 rebounds and turned the ball over 13 times in the game. The UAB Blazers are averaging 82.2 points per game, 71 points against per game, 41.2 rebounds per game, and 15 assists per game. Jordan Walker has led the Blazers this season with 23.2 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, and 4.2 assists per game. UAB is shooting 45.9% from the field, 72.8% on free throws, and 36.6% on three pointers this year.