| MATCHUP | Rice Owls | Wichita State Shockers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 7-9 | 9-7 |
| Where | Charles Koch Arena, Wichita, KS | |
| When | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Wichita State Shockers Preview
Wichita State Shockers have a 9-6 record this season and are tied for 7th place in the American Athletic Conference. They have a 7-1 home record and are coming off a 104-100 away loss against Charlotte. Their previous three games were a 75-70 away win against UAB, an 88-57 home win against Eastern Kentucky and an 84-73 home win against Wofford.
Offensively, Wichita State averages 79.2 points per game, while allowing 69.2 points per game defensively. The Shockers shoot with 46% from the field and grab 40.6 rebounds per game, while dishing out 12.3 assists per game. They average 3.7 blocks per game and 5.3 steals per game defensively.
Kenyon Giles leads Wichita State in scoring, with an average of 18.1 points per game, while shooting with 43.7% from the field and 84.2% from the free throw line. Will Berg is the team’s leading rebounder with 8.4 per game, while Dre Kindell adds a team-high 3.4 assists per game.
Rice Owls Preview
Rice Owls have a 6-9 record this season and are in 12th place in the American Athletic Conference. They have a 0-5 away record and are coming off a 76-70 home loss against Memphis. Their previous three games were a 97-48 away loss against Tulsa, an 84-62 away loss against Pepperdine and a 94-47 home win against Southwestern Christian.
Offensively, Rice averages 73.9 points per game, while allowing 74.1 points per game defensively. The Owls shoot with 41% from the field and grab 37.9 rebounds per game, while dishing out 12.5 assists per game. They average 4.3 blocks per game and 7.9 steals per game defensively.
Nick Anderson leads Rice in scoring, with an average of 14.1 points per game, while shooting with 38.2% from the field and 90.6% from the free throw line. Trae Broadnax is the team’s leading rebounder with 5.1 per game, while Jalen Smith adds a team-high 2.7 assists per game.
Rice Owls @ Wichita State Shockers Betting Trends: January 7, 2026
Why the Wichita State Shockers will win
- Rice has lost each of its last six games against Conference opponents.
- Wichita State has won each of its last six night games at Charles Koch Arena.
- The home team has won the first half in each of Rice’s last four games.
Why the Rice Owls will win
- Wichita State has lost three of its last four night games against Conference opponents.
- Rice has won the first half in four of its last five night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Wichita State’s last six night games have produced a total of 143+ points.
- Six of Rice’s last seven games have produced a total of 143+ points.
Rice vs Wichita State Prediction
In this Rice vs Wichita State Prediction, Wichita State is coming as -13.5 home favorites. Wichita State has been the better team this season, with a better overall record and have also been almost perfect at home, while Rice has been winless on the road. Wichita State has also been better against the spread throughout the season and are coming into this matchup in better form, as they are 5-2 in their last 7 games, while Rice has dropped three straight. Wichita State has been better both on the offensive and the defensive end, with a +10 point differential this season, so I like them as home favorites in this spot. Take Wichita State and lay the points.