Memphis Tigers vs Rice Owls NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 2/2/25
Betting on today’s Tigers and Owls game? Catch the action at Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston, TX, as the Owls hosts this showdown at 3:00 ET on ESPN+. Memphis is favored by -10.5 in this American Athletic conference contest against Rice. The game’s over/under currently sits at 145.5 points.
MEMPHIS TIGERS VS RICE OWLS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Rice Owls +10.5
This game will be played at Tudor Fieldhouse at 3:00 ET on Sunday, February 2nd.
WHY BET THE RICE OWLS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-71 in favor of the Owls.
- Not only will Rice pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +10.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 145.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 145 points.
Will Memphis Live Up to Expectations on the Road?
Memphis Tigers Recent Game/Games
Memphis improved to 17-4 on the season with a 68-56 win over Tulane on Thursday. The Tigers, who were -5.5 favorites, covered the spread with the victory.
Memphis led 29-26 at halftime and pulled away in the second half, outscoring Tulane 39-30. The total points for the game were 124, falling well short of the 151.5 O/U line.
Memphis scored 68 points in their last game, shooting 44.8% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range, hitting 9 of 23 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 51.7%, and they connected on 70% of their free throws, going 7 for 10.
Rowan Brumbaugh and Dain Dainja each scored 19 points, with Dainja shooting 72.7% from the field and grabbing 10 rebounds. Brumbaugh added 7 rebounds and 4 assists. The Tigers recorded 18 assists as a team, with 8 offensive rebounds.
Memphis put on a defensive clinic, holding their opponent to just 56 points on 36% shooting from the field. They were particularly effective at defending the three-point line, where they limited their opponent to just 4 made threes on 24 attempts, a 16% success rate.
Inside the arc, their opponent shot 50%, going 17/34 on two-point attempts. Memphis also sent them to the free-throw line 17 times, where they made 10, shooting 58% from the stripe. The Tigers gave up 13 offensive rebounds in the game.
Can Rice Lock in a Home Win?
Rice Owls Recent Game/Games
Rice fell to 11-9 on the season after a 69-64 road loss to South Florida on Tuesday. The Owls were +6.5 point underdogs going into the game, but managed to keep it closer than expected. The combined points of 133 fell short of the 142.5 O/U line.
Rice led 32-25 at halftime but allowed 44 points in the 2nd half while scoring 32 themselves. The Owls will need to tighten up defensively in the 2nd half moving forward.
Rice’s offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 40% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was 47.3%, and they hit 12 of 19 free throws for a 63.2% rate.
Kasen Jennings and Denver Anglin led the team with 17 points each, with Anglin knocking down 4 threes. Quincy Ademokoya contributed 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Jayden Reid and Trae Broadnax also added 12 points apiece.
The Rice Owls held their opponent to 69 points on 39% shooting from the field, with 24 made baskets on 61 attempts. Inside the arc, the Owls allowed 18 two-point field goals on 39 attempts, a 46% shooting rate.
From three-point range, Rice’s defense limited their opponent to 6 made threes on 22 attempts, a 27% success rate. At the free-throw line, Rice’s opponent shot 57%, hitting 15 of 26 free throws. The Owls also gave up 13 offensive rebounds.