Florida International vs Rice Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/5/24

In this article, we will formulate a FIU vs Rice Prediction for this college basketball game on Tuesday, November 5th, at the Tudor Fieldhouse. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Panthers’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The Owls’ recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving FIU

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Rice

-Recent betting trends in games played between FIU and Rice

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Panthers and Owls. 

Can FIU Play Better Defense?

FIU’s defense was really good last year at forcing turnovers but when they weren’t forcing turnovers, they really struggled. That led to the team finishing with an 11-22 record and they went 5-11 during conference play. They also were a really undersized team that is going to need to be improved upon here. FIU lost a couple of players from last years squad but Dashon Gittens is back and he averaged 9.4 points while grabbing 3.5 rebounds per game. George Pridgett Jr averaged only 3.7 points per game last year for Lipscomb but he’s a three pointer that can be hit some three-pointers of the bench. In this game FIU wants to find success the defense is going to need to be better. 

Will Rice Be Better?

The expectations were strong heading into last season but they didn’t live up to them and finished with an 11-21 record.  With the struggles, Rice made a coaching staff and in comes Rob Lanier who they hope will turn around the program. They went early to the transfer portal and they hopes that is going to be what turns around their program. Kellan Amos was a standout at Central Connecticut State and he averaged 11.8 points and 5.2 rebounds for them. USC Upstate grad transfer Trae Broadnax averaged 14.2 points per game at this old school and now he’s going to need to be a difference maker this season. 

FIU vs Rice Prediction

FIU was such a terrible defensive team last year and although it’s going to be a little better this season, I don’t think they are going to be magically solved this year. Rice got a ton of transfer talent that is going to make this team a whole lot better and that is going to be the difference here as Rice is going to end up getting the job done here with ease. Back Rice against the spread here.