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The Rice Owls (17-13, 8-11 C-USA) will aim to end a three-game losing streak when they host the Florida International Panthers (13-17, 7-12 C-USA) at 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The Panthers have dropped five games in a row.
Saturday’s matchup between the Owls and the Panthers sees the Owls as 5.5-point favorites. A 155-point over/under has been set for the matchup.
Rice vs. Florida International Odds
Point Spread for Rice vs. Florida International
The spread for this matchup is set at 5.5 points, with sportsbooks listing Rice as the favorite.
Rice vs. Florida International Moneyline
As for the moneyline, Rice has -234 odds to pick up the win, while Florida International is listed at +190 to claim victory.
Over/Under
Finally, the over/under for the game is set at 155 points.
Game Time and How to Watch
- Game Day: Saturday, March 4, 2023
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Arena: Tudor Fieldhouse
Rice vs. Florida International Betting Trends
Rice has played 27 games, with 14 wins against the spread. The Owls have been chosen as favorites in 12 games this year and have walked away with the win nine times (75%) in those games. Rice’s games this year have hit the over on 19 of 28 set point totals.
In Florida International’s 28 games this season, it has 14 wins against the spread. The Panthers have won five of the 18 games they were the moneyline underdog this season (27.8%). Florida International’s games this year have eclipsed the over/under 15 times in 28 opportunities (53.6%).
Rice vs. Florida International Key Players to Watch
Rice
Quincy Olivari paces the Owls with 19.2 points per contest and 2.2 assists, while also posting 6 rebounds. Max Fiedler paces his squad in both rebounds (7.7) and assists (5) per game, and also averages 10.6 points. At the other end, he averages 0.8 steals and 1.1 blocked shots. Travis Evee is posting 15.2 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game. Cameron Sheffield is posting 7.8 points, 1.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Florida International
Denver Jones is No. 1 on the Panthers in scoring (19.6 points per game) and assists (2.1), and produces 3.7 rebounds. He also delivers 1.9 steals and 0 blocked shots. Arturo Dean paces the Panthers in assists (3.5 per game), and produces 11.7 points and 4.1 rebounds. He also posts 2.4 steals (ninth in the nation) and 0.3 blocked shots. Mohamed Sanogo gets the Panthers 6.8 points, 4 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. He also posts 0.5 steals and 1.2 blocked shots. Nick Guadarrama paces the Panthers in rebounding (4.2 per game), and posts 7.3 points and 1.9 assists. He also averages 0.9 steals and 0.4 blocked shots.
What you need to know about the Rice Owls
Rice has put together an 8-11-0 conference record against the spread this season. On offense, the Owls are averaging 77.2 points per game (52nd-ranked in college basketball). They are allowing 75.8 points per contest on defense (326th-ranked). Rice is averaging 32.9 rebounds per game (109th-ranked in college basketball) this year, while allowing 31.2 rebounds per contest (191st-ranked).
The Owls score 80.9 points per game at home, compared to 72.2 points per game in away games, a difference of 8.7 points per contest. Rice is 32nd in college basketball with 9 threes per game so far this season. Meanwhile, it ranks 93rd with a 35.7% shooting percentage from three-point land. The Owls are ceding 8.2 three-pointers per game (289th-ranked in college basketball). They are allowing opposing teams to shoot 35.6% (290th-ranked) from downtown.
The Owls have gone 2-8 in their past 10 contests, with a 3-7 record against the spread during that span. Rice has hit the over in seven of its last 10 contests. Rice has seen a downturn in scoring lately, racking up 70.1 points per game in its last 10 contests, 7.1 points fewer than the 77.2 it has scored this season. Rice has been a little suspect on the defensive end of the floor of late, allowing 81.1 points per game over its last 10 outings compared to the 75.8 it has surrendered this season.
What you need to know about the Florida International Panthers
Florida International’s conference games have hit the over 11 out of 19 times this season. On offense the Panthers are the 167th-ranked squad in the country (72.4 points per game). Defensively they are 307th (74.7 points conceded per game). Florida International is the 19th-worst squad in the country in rebounds per game (28.2) and eighth-worst in rebounds conceded (34.9).
The Panthers are scoring more points at home (78.1 per game) than on the road (64). In 2022-23, Florida International is 244th in the nation in 3-point makes (6.8 per game) and 281st in 3-point percentage (32.4%). The Panthers are 326th in college basketball in 3-pointers allowed (8.6 per game) and 302nd in 3-point percentage defensively (35.8%).
The Panthers have a 6-4 record against the spread while going 4-6 overall in their past 10 games. Florida International has gone over the total in six of its past 10 games. Over its previous 10 games, Florida International is averaging 74 points per contest, 1.6 more than its season average (72.4). While the Panthers are allowing 74.7 points per game in 2022-23, they have been worse over their last 10 games, allowing 74.8 points per contest.
Rice vs. Florida International Prediction & Pick
Our prediction to win this matchup is Rice, and we project that Florida International will cover the spread (Rice -5.5). Finally, we see the scoring in this one going under the posted total of 155 points.
How to bet Rice vs. Florida International
You can bet on Rice vs. Florida International at every legal online sportsbook. For more college basketball odds, including moneylines, spreads, over/under totals, check out the latest NCAA lines as well as our guide to the best college basketball betting sites.
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