Rice vs Florida International Prediction 11-5-24 College Basketball Picks

The Florida International Panthers and Rice Owls meet Tuesday in college basketball action at the Tudor Fieldhouse. Here’s a Rice vs Florida International Prediction. This article will include a Rice vs Florida International Pick.

Florida International Panthers Betting Preview

The Florida International Panthers plays Southern Utah, Howard, and Northeastern next. FIU won 11 games last season and enters year 7 under coach Jeremy Ballard.

Onyx Pastoriza returns after averaging 11 points and 3 rebounds, while Dashon Gittens averaged 9.4 points and 2.3 assists. Jayden Brewer played in 578 minutes last season, and Jonathan Aybar played in 286 minutes. FIU lost its top two players, Javaunte Hawkins and Arturo Dean, but the majority of the rest of the team remains intact. This is an extremely experienced FIU squad that has nine seniors, so this group won’t be intimidated by anything. The question remains is there enough scoring for FIU to truly compete in the CUSA. Only time will tell.

Rice Owls Betting Preview

The Rice Owls plays Florida State, UL Monroe, and Northwestern State next. Rice won 11 games last season and begins the Rob Lanier era.

Alem Huseinovic returns after averaging 7.8 points and 1.7 rebounds, while Andrew Akuchie averaged 3.6 points and 3.5 rebounds. Ifeanyi Ufochukwu played in 52 minutes last season and Cole Andrews-Heitz played in 5 minutes last season. Rice lost its top three scorers from last season and four of its top five scorers. Mix in a new coaching staff and there could be growing pains for the Rice Owls. There are a lot of transfers for this Rice squad, including Emory Lanier from Villanova, Caden Powell from Wyoming, and Denver Anglin from SMU. Needless to say, there are a lot of fresh faces on this Rice team.

Why the Rice Owls will win

• Rice has won four of its last five home games against non-conference opponents.
• Florida International has lost each of its last five Tuesday games against non-conference opponents.
• Florida International has lost the first half in each of its last four games at Tudor Fieldhouse.

Rice vs Florida International Prediction

The Rice Owls are getting the benefit of the doubt because they’re at home, but they’re also a new roster with a new coach. FIU has far and away more stability from the coaching staff to the returning production, and they’re a roster with 9 seniors, so starting the season on the road shouldn’t be a big deal. I think Rice is getting too much love with this line. I’ll take a stab with FIU and the points on this Tuesday’s college basketball contest.