Western Kentucky vs Rice 12/29/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Rice Owls and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet Thursday in college basketball action at the E. A. Diddle Arena. The Rice Owls look for their 10th win. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers look for their ninth win.

The Rice Owls are averaging 83.6 points on 50.6 percent shooting and allowing 72.7 points on 44.8 percent shooting. Quincy Qlivari is averaging 18.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, while Travis Evee is averaging 14.8 points and 2.1 rebounds. Max Fiedler is grabbing 7.5 rebounds and Mekhi Mason is dishing 2.7 rebounds. The Rice Owls are shooting 35.5 percent from beyond the arc and 72.5 percent from the free throw line. The Rice Owls are allowing 34.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.9 rebounds per game.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are averaging 75.7 points on 47.1 percent shooting and allowing 66.5 points on 39.9 percent shooting. Dayvion McKnight is averaging 16.5 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Emmanuel Akot is averaging 12.3 points and 3 rebounds. Luke Frampton is the third double-digit scorer and Jairus Hamilton is dishing 1.8 assists. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc and 67.9 percent from the free throw line. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are allowing 33 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.3 rebounds per game.

The Owls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The Hilltoppers are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games overall. The over is 5-2 in Owls last 7 overall. The under is 5-2 in Hilltoppers last 7 home games.

The Rice Owls are playing good ball lately, but they’ve had issues playing up to their competition, and they lose on the road by an average of 17 points. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are the more trustworthy defensive side, and they win at home by an average of 28.5 points. The line is reasonable. Give me WKU in this spot.