Louisiana Tech vs Rice Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 2/2/23

The Rice Owls and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs meet Thursday in college basketball action from Thomas Assembly Center. Rice is 15-6 on the season thus far. The Owls lost to UAB in their last game. As for Louisiana Tech, they’re 12-10 after a win over UTSA on Saturday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.

Rice Owls 

Rice started the year at 11-5 with losses to Pepperdine, Middle Tennessee, Texas, LA Tech and Middle Tennessee again. The Owls are 4-1 since then with wins over UTEP, UTSA, North Texas and Charlotte. 

In the UAB matchup on Saturday, the Owls could only muster 15 points in the first half. Rice kept the pace on a 37-37 run in the second half but still lost 70-52. Quincy Olivari was the top team scorer on 18 points. 

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 

Over on the Louisiana Tech side, they lost to Texas Tech, Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, Wyoming, UTEP and Charlotte in their first 16 outings. The Bulldogs are just 2-4 in their last six with losses to UAB (twice), North Texas and Middle Tennessee.

In the UTSA game on Saturday, the Bulldogs were up 25-18 at the break. Louisiana Tech kept it up in the second half with a 41-37 run in a 66-55 win. Isaiah Crawford led the team with 19 points and seven rebounds. 

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m leaning toward Rice. Probably not touching this one, though. The Owls are coming off a rough matchup versus a pretty good UAB team, but Rice has been decent overall lately. The Owls have scored 72 or more points in three of their last four wins, and they’ll need all the offense they can get here. Rice lost 88-82 on January 5 the last time these teams met up. Louisiana Tech has been at 66 or fewer points for three straight games, so if the Owls can get off to a good start I think they’ve got a reasonable shot at a revenge cover (and maybe a win).