Alcorn State Braves vs Rice Owls NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/16/24

Betting on today’s Braves and Owls game? Catch the action at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston, TX, as the Owls hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 134.5 points, and Rice is favored by -18 at home against Alcorn State.

ALCORN STATE BRAVES VS RICE OWLS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Alcorn State Braves +18

This game will be played at Tudor Fieldhouse at 8:00 ET on Monday, December 16th.

WHY BET THE ALCORN STATE BRAVES:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 79-68 in favor of the Owls.
• Even though we have Rice winning straight-up, we like Alcorn State at +18.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 134.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.

Will the Braves Defense Show Up on the Road?

Alcorn State Braves Recent Game/Games

Alcorn State fell to 0-10 on the season after a 94-78 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday. The Braves were +32 point underdogs going into the game, but they managed to cover the spread.

Alcorn State trailed 49-41 at halftime and were outscored 45-37 in the 2nd half. The total points for the game hit 172, going over the pre-game O/U line of 138.5.

Alcorn State put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 52.6% from the field and 50% from three-point range, hitting 10 of 20 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 61.4%, with 19 assists as a team.

Jalon Moore led the way with 20 points in just 19 minutes, shooting 88.9% from the floor. Omari Hamilton added 16 points, knocking down 4 of 5 threes, while Jeremiah Fears, Dayton Forsythe, and Davian Williams each dished out 7 assists.

Alcorn State’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 94 points on 54% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to dominate inside, with 23 of 27 two-point attempts made, an 85% success rate.

From beyond the arc, Alcorn State’s opponent hit 12 of 37 threes, shooting 32%. They also sent them to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 12, also at an 85% clip. Alcorn State allowed 10 offensive rebounds.

Can the Owls Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?

Rice fell to 7-3 on the season after a 75-66 road loss to Texas State on Sunday. The Owls entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs and didn’t cover the spread.

Rice trailed 35-31 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap, as they scored 35 points in the 2nd half but allowed 40. The game’s total points of 141 went over the pre-game O/U line of 134.

Rice managed just 66 points in their last game, shooting 40% from the field and 27.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 43.6%, and they hit 68% of their free throws, going 17-for-25 from the line.

Tyrel Morgan led the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 50% overall. Caden Powell added 14 points, hitting 5 of 6 shots, and Coleton Benson and Trae Broadnax each contributed 13 points, with Benson knocking down 3 threes.

Rice’s defense gave up 75 points, allowing their opponent to shoot 46% from the field on 25 of 54 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 18 of 38 shooting for 47%.

From three-point range, Rice’s defense saw their opponent hit 7 of 16 shots, good for 43%. They also sent the other team to the line 20 times, where they converted 18 free throws for 90%. Rice gave up 13 offensive rebounds.