College Basketball Picks: Bet Houston Over Rice

The leaders in 3-pointers made among P6 & KenPom top 50 teams:

1. Blake Hinson, Pitt – 30
2. Baylor Scheirman, Creighton – 29
3. Boogie Ellis, USC – 28
4. LJ Cryer, Houston – 27
5. Jalen Cone, Cal – 26 pic.twitter.com/XZnZUXoM0Y

— CBB Analytics (@CBBAnalytics) December 5, 2023

Being a perfect 8-0 is impressive, but it is important to note Houston’s schedule has been on the lighter side. Things will ramp up for the Cougars as the team enters Big 12 play in the coming weeks.

Houston also faces No. 21 Texas A&M on Saturday, Dec. 16. For now, Houston’s best wins have come against Xavier, Dayton and Utah to start the season.

Let’s take a look at whether Rice has a chance to hang with Houston in our NCAAB odds.

Can Rice Hang With Houston?

There is added juice with this matchup given both schools are located in Houston. Will that be enough for Rice to keep pace with Houston?

Rice is an underwhelming 3-5 this season. The Owls do enter this matchup on a two-game winning streak with victories over Houston Christian and UT Martin. Guard Travis Evee had 18 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the team’s 65-56 win over Houston Christian.

The Owls have had some challenging tests this season. Rice lost 80-64 to No. 12 Texas on Nov. 15. The Owls also have losses to Harvard, New Mexico and UC Irvine. Evee is the player to watch as the guard is averaging 17 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.

Your Rice 3PT Record-Holder, Travis Evee 🎥#GoOwls👐 pic.twitter.com/NY58i0DNix

— Rice Men’s Basketball (@RiceMBB) December 2, 2023

As for Houston, the team is getting a boost from Cryer, who transferred from Baylor over the offseason. The guard is leading Houston in scoring this season averaging 17.8 points per game while shooting 38.6% from long range. Houston is also getting production from forward J’Wan Roberts with 9.1 points and 8.3 boards per contest.

LJ CRYER! 🙌 @LjCryer x @UHCougarMBK pic.twitter.com/EoHvSo1ucB

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) December 1, 2023

Rice vs Houston Game Information

• Game: Rice Owls (3-5) vs (No. 3) Houston (8-0)
• Date/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Fertitta Center, Houston, TX
• Rice vs Houston Live Stream: TBS.com

Rice vs Houston Betting Lines

Rice-Houston Pick: Cougars Roll Owls

Even with this being an in-city matchup, it is challenging to find a pathway for Rice to stay in the game. Against Division I opponents, Houston ranks No. 3 in the country with a massive 24.6 margin of victory.

The Cougars have thrived at home as well making the team a nice play in Las Vegas College Basketball odds. Houston’s defense will make it challenging for Rice to score the necessary points to hang around. My college basketball prediction for this matchup has Houston covering the sizable 28-point spread.

College Basketball Pick ATS: Houston -27½

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