UAB vs Rice Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/23/23

The Rice Owls and UAB Blazers meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Bartow Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

The Rice Owls Betting Preview

The Rice Owls are averaging 78.9 points on 47.5 percent shooting and allowing 74.6 points on 45.9 percent shooting. Quincy Qlivari is averaging 19.9 points and 5.8 rebounds, while Travis Evee is averaging 15.4 points and 2 rebounds. Max Fiedler is the third double-digit scorer and Mekhi Mason is dishing 1.9 assists. The Rice Owls are shooting 36.5 percent from beyond the arc and 73.6 percent from the free throw line. The Rice Owls are allowing 34.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.7 rebounds per game.

The UAB Blazers Betting Preview

The UAB Blazers are averaging 82.1 points on 45.9 percent shooting and allowing 71.2 points on 41.5 percent shooting. Jordan Walker is averaging 22.6 points and 2.6 rebounds, while Eric Gaines is averaging 12.3 points and 3.3 rebounds. KJ Buffen is the third double-digit scorer and Ledarrius Brewer is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The UAB Blazers are shooting 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and 73.1 percent from the free throw line. The UAB Blazers are allowing 32.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 37.6 rebounds per game.

Rice vs UAB Trends 

The Owls are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 road games. The Blazers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 home games and 6-13-2 ATS in their last 21 games overall. The over is 17-5 in Owls last 22 overall. The over is 39-13-1 in Blazers last 53 overall. The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.

Randy’s Free Pick

The UAB Blazers are the better team and have the horses to blow things out, but they’re also 2-9 ATS as a double-digit favorite this season. The Rice Owls are 7-3-1 ATS on the road this season, where they lose by an average of just 4.6 points. Rice is 3-1 ATS as a double-digit underdog. I’ll take a stab with the points.