Rice Owls (7-13) vs. Memphis Tigers (15-5)
January 31, 2024 8:00 pm EDT
The Line: Memphis Tigers -15.5; Over/Under: +156
(Get latest betting odds)
The Rice Owls and the Memphis Tigers meet in college basketball action from the FedExForum on Wednesday night. Who bounces back and gets a win here? Let’s dive in and find out with our Rice vs. Memphis Prediction.
Rice Team Preview
The Rice Owls come into this game looking to rebound from back-to-back losses after an 85-83 loss to Tulsa last time out. Travis Evee leads the Owls in scoring with 15.7 PPG along with 3.5 RPG and 2.3 APG while Mekhi Mason has 13.9 PPG with 4.3 RPG and 2.8 APG as well as the only other double-digit scorer for Rice so far this season. Max Fiedler has 9.8 PPG with 9.9 RPG and 5.4 APG to lead the Owls in rebounding and assists as well this season. As a team, Rice is averaging 73.1 PPG on 43.5% shooting from the field, 32.3% from three and 70.2% from the foul line this season.
Rice Owls Team Facts
- Rice has lost each of its last six night games.
- Ten of Rice’s last 13 games have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.
- Rice has won the first half in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Memphis Team Preview
The Memphis Tigers come into this one looking to snap a three-game losing skid after a 97-88 loss to UAB last time out. David Jones leads the Tigers in scoring and rebounding with 21.8 PPG and 7 RPG while Jahvon Quinerly has 13.9 PPG with 3 RPG and a team-high 4.7 APG to lead the Tigers in the assist department. Nae’Qwan Tomlin has 10.3 PPG with 5.7 RPG, capping off the group of double-digit scorers for Memphis so far this season. Jones also has a team-high 2 SPG while Jaykwon Walton has 9.3 PPG with 3.8. As a team, Memphis is averaging 81.5 PPG on 46.6% shooting from the field, 35.8% from three and 73.7% from the foul line this season.
Memphis Tigers Team Facts
- Memphis has won 21 of its last 22 games at FedExForum when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Five of Memphis’ last six games against Conference opponents at FedExForum have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
- Memphis has won the first half in 17 of its last 19 night games at FedExForum.
Rice vs. Memphis Prediction
I wanted to take Rice with the points, but the Owls have been so bad defensively and Memphis has a clear edge across the board here. If the Tigers can’t come out firing and win this game decisively, I’m really not sure what else this team has to do. Not a game I’m rushing to bet because of Memphis’ volatility in a lot of their recent games, but I think the most likely outcome is the Tigers win fairly big. Give me Memphis here.
