Rice vs Arkansas State Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/30/24

The Rice Owls are visiting the Arkansas State Red Wolves on Saturday, November 30th at the Baha Mar Convention Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Rice Owls vs Arkansas State Red Wolves Prediction.

Arkansas State Red Wolves Preview

The Arkansas State Red Wolves have a 4-1 record this season and are coming off a 103-60 win over Lane. The Wolves are 3-1 against the spread, and 1-3 in over/under while having a 4-0 home record.

Offensively, Arkansas State is averaging 80.2 points per game, which ranks 113th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 67 points per game (96th). The Wolves shoot 41.4% from the field (307th) and  30.9% from beyond the arc (275th). The Wolves shoot 59.3% from the free throw line, which is the second-worst in the nation, and are grabbing 44.6 rebounds per game, which is the 8th-best nationally.

Taryn Todd leads Arkansas State scoring this season, with an average of 15 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, while Kobe Juilen adds 13.4 points and 5.6 rebounds. Arkansas State will play against Hofstra after this game.

Rice Owls Preview

The Rice Owls have a 5-1 record this season and are coming off a 61-58 win in Houston Christian. The Owls are 4-2 against the spread, and 2-4 in over/under while having a 3-0 home record.

Offensively, Rice is averaging 71.5 points per game, which is 270th in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 64.5 points per game (58th). The Owls shoot 42.9% from the field (257th) and 33.3% from beyond the arc (181st). The Owls shoot 65.2% from the free throw line (308th) and are grabbing 42.2 rebounds per game (34th).

Trae Broadnax leads Rice in scoring this season, with an average of 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and a team-high 4.3 assists. Kellen Amos adds 10.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists.

Why the Arkansas State Red Wolves will win

• Rice has lost each of its last seven games played at neutral venues.
• Arkansas State has won each of its last eight Saturday games.
• Arkansas State has won the first half in eight of its last nine games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues.

Why the Rice Owls will win

• Arkansas State has lost each of its last seven night games played at neutral venues.
• Rice has won four of its last five games.
• Arkansas State has lost the first half in nine of its last 11 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Arkansas State’s last six night games has produced a total of 143+ points.
• Five of Rice’s last six games against the Sun Belt Conference have produced a total of 144+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Arkansas State ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (33.5).
• Arkansas State ranks 8th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (25.6%).
• Rice ranks 6th among Division 1 teams for free throw attempts per game this season (29.1).
• Rice ranks 19th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (26.3%).

Rice Owls vs Arkansas State Red Wolves Prediction

In this Rice Owls vs Arkansas State Red Wolves Prediction, Arkansas State is coming as a -7.5 home favorite. Arkansas State is better offensively, scoring 8.7 points more than Rice, while the Owls are better defensively, allowing 2.5 points less. Both teams are ranking inside the top 100 of the nation defensively, allowing 131.5 points per game combined, and also struggle with their shooting, ranking in the bottom 100 in field goal percentage. Both teams cannot even hit free throws, as Arkansas State is second-worst in the nation and Rice ranks in the bottom 50. Expect points to be at a premium in this one and take the under.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Under 138.5