Tulsa vs Rice Prediction 2/22/25 College Basketball Picks

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane and the Rice Owls meet Saturday in college basketball action from Tudor Fieldhouse. Here’s a Tulsa vs Rice prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Tulsa vs Rice pick. We will examine: 

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane’s recent form and player performance

The Rice Owls’ recent form and player performance 

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Tulsa Golden Hurricane

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Rice Owls

Recent betting trends in games played between Tulsa and Rice

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Tulsa vs Rice game

Tulsa Golden Hurricane Betting Preview

Tulsa has had a rough run this year and they’re mired beneath the .500 mark in the record column. The Hurricane went 6-9 over their first 15 outings, taking losses to Missouri State, Little Rock, Loyola, Georgia State, Oklahoma State, Southern, UCF, Rice, and UAB during that stretch. After a 3-2 run with wins over UTSA, Charlotte, and Wichita State amid losses to South Florida and East Carolina, the Hurricane fell to UAB, Tulane, Memphis, and FAU. The next two games were wins though, as Tulsa took out Temple and UTSA. That would improve the Hurricanes’ record to 11-15 through the first 26 games this season. 

In their Wednesday game versus North Texas, the Hurricane were trailing by 11 points going into the second half. Tulsa was outscored 33-25 the rest of the way in a sizable loss of 63-44. The only player on the team to finish in double-figures was Jared Garcia, who came off the bench for 14 points and three rebounds in 25 minutes of work. Isaiah Barnes posted four points with 10 rebounds in 33 minutes on the floor as well. 

Rice Owls Betting Preview

Over on the Rice side, they were looking pretty good as the calendar flipped over to 2025 but since then it’s been a struggle. The Owls won 11 of their first 15 games, taking out Florida International, LA Monroe, Northwestern State, Louisiana, Houston Christian, Arkansas State, Iona, Alcorn State, Prairie View, Tulsa, and Charlotte in that time. Rice would win just one of their next 11 games though (over East Carolina), otherwise falling to North Texas, Temple, UTSA, Florida Atlantic, Tulane, South Florida, Memphis, Charlotte, North Texas, and Tulane in that time. That would give Rice a 12-14 overall run through their first 26 games of the year. 

Matched up against UAB on Wednesday, the Owls were trailing by a score of 43-40 by halftime. Rice got better in the second half on a 49-47 advantage but still ended up losing 90-89 in the end. Leading the team in the losing effort was Jacob Dar with 24 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Caden Powell added 12 points with four rebounds as well. 

Why the Rice Owls will win

• The home team has won the first half in each of Tulsa’s last three games.

Why the Tulsa Golden Hurricane will win

• Rice has lost each of its last six home games.
• Tulsa has won the first half in five of its last six day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Tulsa vs Rice Prediction

I’ll probably stick with Rice in this one. Also probably not touching it. On Wednesday versus UAB, the Owls shot well (47.5 percent) and had just six turnovers. That said, Rice also gave up 45.8 percent from the field and got out-rebounded 42-36 during a tough loss. The Owls have won just one game since January 4, but they’ve been competitive. Each of Rice’s last six losses have been by six points or fewer. 

These teams last saw each other back on New Year’s Day in a 70-64 road win for Rice. The Owls shot well from the field in that one (46.6 percent) but not from the line (10-of-20 for 50 percent). The 10 turnovers for 12 Hurricane points didn’t help matters, but Rice’s 40-38 rebounding edge and 35.6 percent shooting allowed on the other side were key factors in the road victory. I’d like to see another good offensive effort in this home rematch, but all things considered, Rice should be in pretty solid shape.