Florida Atlantic vs Rice Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/9/23

The Rice Owls and the Florida Atlantic Owls meet Thursday in college basketball action from FAU Arena. Rice is sitting at 15-8 overall this year. The Owls lost to North Texas in their last game. As for Florida Atlantic, they’re 22-2 on the season and fresh off a win over Charlotte. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Rice Owls 

Rice started out on a decent run this year, going 11-5 through the first 16 games. The Owls have since gone 4-3 with wins over UTEP, UTSA, North Texas and Charlotte before losses to UAB, LA Tech and North Texas. 

In the North Texas rematch back on Saturday, the Owls trailed 40-29 going into the second half. Rice hit 35 points from there but it wasn’t enough in a 74-64 loss. Tops in scoring was Mekhi Mason with 17 points and five boards. 

Florida Atlantic Owls 

Over on the Florida Atlantic side, they kicked off the year on a great run, losing just one of their first 22 games of the season. After an 86-77 loss to UAB on February 2, the Owls bounced back with a win over Charlotte in their last game. 

On Saturday versus the 49ers, Florida Atlantic trailed 31-30 in the locker room. The Owls regrouped and put up a 37-21 second-half run in a 67-52 win. Vladislav Goldin managed 15 points with six rebounds in the victory. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with Florida Atlantic here. The Owls had a great second half in their last game versus Charlotte, ultimately putting the UAB loss behind them. FAU has scored 67 or more points in seven straight games and should put up a nice total at home in this matchup. As for Rice, they’ve been a mixed bag during this three-game losing streak and this one’s not going to get any easier. I do like Rice to hang around for a while before Florida Atlantic pulls away toward the cover, though.