Iona Gaels vs Rice Owls NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/1/24
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Gaels versus the Owls? Tip off is at at 2:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on FloH. The game will be played at Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas. The over/under for this game is set at 134 points, and Rice is favored by -5.5 against Iona in a non-conference matchup.
IONA GAELS VS RICE OWLS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Rice Owls -5.5
This game will be played at Baha Mar Convention Center at 2:00 ET on Sunday, December 1st.
WHY BET THE RICE OWLS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 in favor of the Owls.
- Not only will Rice pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -5.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 134 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Will the Gaels Make it Happen on the Road?
Iona Gaels Recent Game/Games
The Gaels dropped a tight one at home to Indiana State, losing 83-80 on Saturday. Iona entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs and managed to cover the spread, though they couldn’t pull off the win.
After a 45-45 tie at halftime, Iona was edged out in the second half, scoring 35 points while allowing 38. The game’s total points of 163 surpassed the over/under line of 147.5.
Dejour Reaves was the standout for Iona, scoring 30 points and hitting 6 of 9 from three-point range, finishing with an overall shooting percentage of 61.1%. Adam Njie Jr. contributed 21 points despite struggling from deep, making just 1 of 6 attempts from beyond the arc.
The Gaels shot 46.9% from the field as a team, with an effective field goal percentage of 53.1%. They connected on 39.1% of their three-point attempts and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, while shooting just 57.9% from the free-throw line.
Despite giving up 83 points, Iona’s defense struggled to contain the opposition, allowing them to shoot 46% from the field. The Gaels gave up 21 two-point baskets on 41 attempts, a 51% success rate for their opponents.
From beyond the arc, Iona allowed 9 three-pointers on 23 attempts, with the opposition shooting 39%. They also sent the other team to the line 19 times, where they made 11 free throws, shooting 57%. The Gaels gave up 14 offensive rebounds.
Pressure Builds for Rice as Home Favorites
Rice picked up a 75-67 win over Arkansas State on Saturday, November 30th. The Owls were +9 point underdogs going into the game and not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.
Rice led 34-33 at halftime and outscored the Red Wolves 41-34 in the second half to seal the win. The total points for the game ended at 142, just over the pre-game O/U line of 141.5.
Rice’s offense put up 75 points in their last game, despite shooting just 37.3% from the field. They connected on 5 of 15 from beyond the arc, hitting 33.3% of their threes, and their effective field goal percentage was 43.1%.
The Owls were strong from the free-throw line, making 32 of 39 attempts for 82.1%. Trae Broadnax led the way with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Kellen Amos added 17 points, shooting 75% from the field.
Rice’s defense held their opponent to 67 points on 35% shooting from the field. They were effective in defending the three-point line, where their opponent shot just 3/26 (11%).
However, Rice sent their opponent to the free-throw line 31 times, where they converted 24 attempts (77%). The Owls also gave up 16 offensive rebounds in the game.