Check out our free Rice vs Louisiana Tech pick and preview for this NCAA Basketball game in Ruston. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this College Basketball matchup.

Rice vs Louisiana Tech Pick & Preview: Thursday, February 2nd Betting Odds

Owls vs Bulldogs Matchup at a Glance

  • Sport: NCAAB
  • Teams: Rice Owls at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
  • Where: Ruston at Thomas Assembly Center
  • Date: Thursday, February 2nd
  • Betting Odds: Rice +3.5, RICE +140 | LOUTCH -177 O/U 145.5

Owls Preview:

Rice will take the floor against the Bulldogs with an overall record of 15-6. So far, the Owls have played 8 games on the road, with a record of 5-3. For the season, Rice has been the underdog in 8 games, sitting with a mark of 4-4. Currently, the oddsmakers have the lines set with the Owls being +3.5 point underdogs.

Rice will be counting on another strong performance from the team’s leading scorer Quincy Olivari who is averaging 19.48 points per game for the Owls. Olivari is also important to the team’s ability to score on the perimeter. So far, he leads the team in 3-point shots made. Also key to the Owls’ offensive game plan is the play of Travis Evee who has hit 40.0% of his field goal attempts on his way to averaging 15.43 points per game.

On offense, Rice comes into the game looking to control the pace of play, as they are just 370th in possessions per game. Even with their preference to slow the game down, the Owls’ are scoring at a rate similar to the NCAA average at 74.4 points per game. So far, 42.93% of their shots have come from beyond the arc, where they have connected at a rate of 37.3%.

Bulldogs Preview:

Through 22 games, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have an overall record of 12-10. Currently, the Bulldogs have been the home team 11 times, sitting with a record of 8-3. The Bulldogs’ are sitting with a betting line that is -3.5 points in their favor. For the season, Louisiana Tech has been favored to win in 11 games, sitting with a mark of 7-4.

Louisiana Tech’s leading scorer this season is Cobe Williams, who is averaging 18.8 points per contest. So far, Williams has accounted for 22.98% of the team’s scoring. In addition, he is contributing 3.4 rebounds per game and 3.95 assists. Keaston Willis is the second leading scorer for the Bulldogs, averaging 12.18 points per game. Between him and Willis, they are accounting for 39.4% of the team’s scoring.

On offense, Louisiana Tech is scoring a rate similar to the NCAA average at 75.2 points per game. This figure has come despite struggling to knock down shots from outside. Through 22 games, they have only hit 34.0% of their 3-point field goal attempts. For the season, 41.28% of their shots have come from beyond the arc.

Free Spread Prediction: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs -3.5

Heading into this matchup, with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs sitting as -3.5 point favorites, we like them to pick up the win and cover the spread. Both team’s will be coming into the game looking to get up shots from outside, as Louisiana Tech and Rice are averaging 8.26 and 9.16 made 3’s per game, respectively. One trend that we feel strongly about is the fact that Louisiana Tech has historically performed well against the spread at home, going 6-4 ATS (last 10). Before tonight’s matchup, we recommend getting a wager down on the Bulldogs to cover at -3.5.