Rice Owls (16-11) vs. Charlotte 49ers (17-11)
February 25, 2023 4:00 pm EDT
The Line: Charlotte 49ers -7 / Rice Owls +7; Over/Under: 137.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Rice Owls and the Charlotte 49ers meet Saturday in college basketball action from Halton Arena. Rice is coming off a Thursday game versus UAB. In that matchup the Owls fell in a blowout. As for Charlotte, they played North Texas in their Thursday matchup. The 49ers went on to win by six points. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Rice Owls
Rice had a 15-5 start to the year through 20 games. The Owls faltered on a 2-5 run over the next seven outings, though. Rice lost to UAB, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, Florida Atlantic and UTSA with wins over FIU and Western Kentucky in that time.
On Thursday versus UAB, the Owls were drilled 55-24 in the first half alone. Rice got better from there but still lost in a blowout 85-57 result. Tops in scoring was Travis Evee with 15 points, and Quincy Olivari added 10 points with nine rebounds.
Charlotte 49ers
Over on the Charlotte side, they posted a 13-7 start to the year through 20 games. The 49ers went 3-4 in their next seven with losses to Rice, FIU, Florida Atlantic and North Texas alongside wins versus UTEP, Western Kentucky and LA Tech.
Matched up against North Texas on Thursday, the 49ers were down 24-22 at halftime. Charlotte hit a 33-25 run the rest of the way and won it 55-49. Lu’Cye Patterson was the top scorer on 17 points and six rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll stick with Charlotte here. The 49ers pulled off a great win on Thursday versus a very good North Texas team and they’ve now won three games in a row. Charlotte hasn’t been blowing teams away on the scoreboard, but they’ve allowed 67 or fewer points in eight straight outings. The Owls were able to post a 65-63 victory the last time these teams met up on January 26 at Tudor Fieldhouse. With Charlotte on a roll and playing at home here I like the 49ers to strike back with a cover.
