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Rice vs Texas Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
In-State Rivalry Renewed
No. 7 Longhorns to be Without Coach
Ahead of conference play, the No. 7 Texas Longhorns are hoping to amass another win streak following their 85-78 loss to Illinois on Dec. 6. Texas (7-1) will renew its rivalry against Rice (6-2) on Monday night. This will mark the 198th matchup in the storied series.
The Longhorns, who are 6-0 at home, will be without coach Chris Beard. On Monday morning, Beard was arrested on a felony domestic violence charge. Beard’s future is now uncertain in his second season at Texas. The Owls are on a five-game winning streak and are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games.
Let’s check the latest college basketball odds, stats, injury reports, and college basketball lines for Rice vs Texas.
Rice’s Tall Task On Hand
While Rice has hit its stride over the last month, the Owls have yet to play a Power Six opponent. In fact, Rice’s best opponent of the season was Middle Tennessee, which ranks 114th in Kenpom. Meanwhile, Texas is one of college basketball’s best teams, ranking fourth in Kenpom ratings.
Clearly, this will be the Owls’ toughest test by a mile. Rice has two ugly losses against its best opponents of the season. It lost 81-46 to Middle Tennessee and 106-67 to Pepperdine, which is 151st in Kenpom. Fortunately, both were two of the first three games of the season. The Owls have come a long way since.
The offense must lead the way. Rice is averaging 82.6 points during the winning streak. This is also an efficient shooting team, ranking in the 89th percentile. Guard Quincy Olivari (16.3 points) comes in red-hot, averaging 28.5 points in the last two games.
Scoop on Free Play from the Locker Room
Uncertain Times for Longhorns
The Longhorns have smashed expectations to start the season. The offense has surprised, averaging over 80 points per game and ranking in the 85th percentile of shooting percentage. Plus, the defense ranks third in efficiency. Texas has looked like a national title contender and it is the second choice to win it all (+1000). However, following Beard’s arrest, the program has entered uncertain times.
So far, the Longhorns have yet to announce a punishment and the school announced it is “continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process.” At the very least, Beard will likely be suspended indefinitely. He could even be fired. Texas’ fantastic start has been halted to a stop.
Beard’s attorney, Perry Minton, told the Austin American-Statesman that his client is “100% innocent” and labeled the charges “truly inconceivable.”
The Longhorns are coming off an overtime loss to Illinois that dropped it five spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The defense played poorly, especially on the perimeter. Texas allows 5.3 made 3-pointers per game. Illinois shot 10 of 23 (43.5%) from beyond the perimeter. Texas must clean up its 3-point defense against Rice, which attempts more than 24 deep shots per game. In their previous game, the Longhorns held Arkansas-Pine Bluff to 27.3% from 3-point land.
Rice vs Texas Game Injuries
Rice vs Texas Head-to-Head
These rivals have not clashed since 2015, which Texas won 66-55. Rice has lost 10 consecutive games against the Longhorns. In the last four matchups, the two are knotted at 2-2 ATS.
Rice vs Texas Game Information
- Game: Rice (6-2) vs Texas (7-1)
- Location: Moody Center, Austin, TX
- Day/Time: Monday, Dec. 12, 8 p.m. ET
- Rice vs Texas Live Stream: TBS.com
Rice vs Texas Betting Lines
Rice vs Texas Picks & Prediction
Illinois showed the blueprint to beating Texas’ elite defense – hit 3-pointers. However, Rice is an inefficient 3-point shooting team, ranking in the middle of the pack nationally. Plus, the Longhorns’ interior defense has not shown cracks, as it ranks in the 94th percentile of opponent 2-point percentage.
Rice’s defense also ranks within the bottom 10 of opponent 3-point percentage and shooting percentage. Texas ranks 16th in offensive efficiency. Beard’s absence would change the result of most games, but the Owls have struggled against their best competition. The Longhorns will take their ATS home record to 5-2 with a dominant win.
Take the under as well. Texas has gone under in five of eight games and in three straight home games. Rice has gone under in two of the last three.
