UTSA vs Rice Prediction 1/14/25 College Basketball Picks

In this article, we will formulate a UTSA vs Rice prediction for this College Basketball game on Tuesday, January 14th at the Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston, Texas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

UTSA Roadrunners Betting Preview

The UTSA Roadrunners are 7-8 (1-2) this year after they defeated Wichita State by a score of 88-75 in their last game. UTSA led 47-32 at halftime, but they were outscored 43-41 in the second half in the loss. The Roadrunners shot 52.5% from the field, 50% on three-pointers, and 64.3% on free throws in the game. Marcus Millender led UTSA with 21 points and five assists, while Raekwon Horton added 19 points and 10 rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Roadrunners lost to Tulsa by a score of 82-77 and Tulane by a score of 92-63. UTSA has lost three of their last four games and four of their wins so far this year came against either a non-D-1 team or North Dakota. UTSA has scored 79.6 points per game and they have allowed 78.5 points per game, while also averaging 34.9 rebounds and 12.9 assists per game this season. Primo Spears is averaging 21.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, while Tai’Reon Joseph is averaging 11.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game this year. UTSA is shooting 42.7% from the field, 80.9% on free throws, and 34.4% on three-pointers this season. 

Rice Owls Betting Preview

The Rice Owls are 11-6 (2-2) this season after they lost to Temple by a score of 73-70 in their last game. Rice trailed 35-31 at halftime, but they did score 39 points in the second half in the loss. The Owls shot 40.3% from the field, 28.6% on three-pointers, and 50% on free throws in the game. Andrew Akuchie led Rice with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Trae Broadnax added 13 points and seven rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Owls lost to North Texas by a score of 81-59 but did beat Charlotte by a score of 68-55 before that. Rice has won three of their last five games, but they did have a loss to a non-D-1 team a few weeks ago. Rice has scored 69.4 points per game and they have allowed 66.2 points per game, while also averaging 39.3 rebounds and 11.3 assists per game this season. Trae Broadnax is averaging 13.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while Kellen Amos is averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this year. Rice is shooting 42% from the field, 67.7% on free throws, and 31.5% on three-pointers this season. 

Why Rice will beat UTSA

• UTSA has lost each of its last six Tuesday games.
• Rice has won each of its last three night games at Tudor Fieldhouse.
• UTSA has lost the first half in each of its last three road night games against Conference opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• Rice ranks 33rd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (39.5%).
• Rice ranks T34th among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (2.4).
• UTSA ranks 21st among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (15.9).
• UTSA ranks 23rd among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (64.4).

UTSA vs Rice Prediction 

Rice comes into this matchup with the home-court advantage, but they have lost two games in a row and they are shooting just 42% from the field. The Owls aren’t a very high-scoring team, but they do play solid defense, as they are allowing 66.2 points per game this year. UTSA has lost three of their last four games and while they are shooting just 42.7% from the field, their defense is much worse. The Roadrunners are allowing 78.5 points per game this year and I don’t trust that defense at all on the road. It will be interesting to see who can control the pace of the game, but I am taking Rice and their defense at home.