Southern Utah vs Rice March Madness Prediction 3/20

© Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

Game Preview: Southern Utah vs Rice - CBI Tournament

It's the Southern Utah Thunderbirds against the Rice Owls in the College Basketball Invitational. Both teams have had their ups and downs this season, so this game is sure to be a battle. The experts have weighed in with their NBA picks, and the computer predictions are rolling out. Who will come out on top? Let's take a closer look. Rice has had a solid non-conference season, going 11-3. They are led by Max Fiedler, who is averaging 8.1 points per game in the paint. Southern Utah has a record of 23-12 and is fourth in the WAC. Watch out for Jason Spurgin, who averages 2.5 offensive rebounds per game. As for the NBA today experts, they are split on who will win this game. The odds makers have the Owls as slight favorites, but that could change as game time approaches. Who are the top performers to watch? Fiedler is averaging 10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds a game for the Owls. Quincy Olivari is averaging close to 19 points per game and 5.9 rebounds over the last 10 games for Rice. Tevian Jones is scoring 17.4 points per game with 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists for the Thunderbirds. Maizen Fausett is averaging 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds over the past 10 games for Southern Utah. No matter who you pick, this game is sure to be exciting. Will the best nba bets today be on Rice? Or will Southern Utah surprise everyone with a big win? You can count on nba picks and parlay experts to give you an inside look at the odds and predictions. Stay tuned for our full-length prediction article leading up to the game.

Southern Utah: Offensive Analysis

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are entering the College Basketball Invitational tournament with a record of 23-12, making them a formidable opponent for the Rice Owls. With an average of 76.9 points per game in the last 10 games, the Thunderbirds have a solid offensive strategy that could give them an edge in the upcoming match. One of the key strengths of the Thunderbirds is their offensive rebounding, averaging 9.3 per game in WAC action. Jason Spurgin leads the team in offensive rebounds, averaging 2.5 per game. This skill could give Southern Utah opportunities for second-chance points, which could be crucial in a tight match. Tevian Jones is another important player for the Thunderbirds, averaging 17.4 points per game with 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He could prove to be a difficult player for Rice to defend against. While Southern Utah doesn't have the same notable statistics as some NBA picks experts or NBA picks computer programs, their solid offensive strategy has led them to a successful season. In terms of NBA picks and parlays, betting on Southern Utah's offensive capabilities could prove to be a smart choice. Overall, the Southern Utah Thunderbirds have the potential to put up a strong offensive showing against the Rice Owls. With their strong offensive rebounding and key players, they could make for an exciting match-up in the College Basketball Invitational tournament.

Southern Utah: Defensive Analysis

Southern Utah's defense will be put to the test when they face off against Rice in the College Basketball Invitational. The Thunderbirds have been solid on defense all season, allowing just 67.4 points per game, which ranks 91st in the nation. This will be a crucial factor for them to secure a win in this match. One key to Southern Utah's success on defense has been their ability to force turnovers. They rank 33rd in the nation in turnovers forced per game, with an average of 8.5. This will be crucial for the Thunderbirds to disrupt Rice's offensive rhythm and gain some extra opportunities on the offensive end. Another strength for Southern Utah's defense has been their ability to defend the three-point line. They rank 101st in the nation in three-point defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 32.7% from beyond the arc. This will be vital for them to keep Rice's sharpshooters at bay. However, Southern Utah will need to improve their rebounding on the defensive end. They currently rank 225th in the nation in defensive rebounds per game, with an average of 24. They will need to secure more second-chance possessions for themselves and limit Rice's chances as well. In terms of individual performances, Southern Utah's Maizen Fausett has been a standout on defense. He has been averaging 1.1 steals per game and 0.8 blocks per game this season. His stellar defensive play will be crucial for the Thunderbirds to limit Rice's offensive output. Overall, Southern Utah's defense has been key to their success this season, and they will need to rely on it once again in this matchup. If they can continue to force turnovers and defend the three-point line effectively, they have a good chance to come out on top in this game.

Rice Offense Analysis: Struggling to Find Consistency

The Rice Owls have had a rollercoaster of a season and have struggled to find consistency on the offensive end of the court. Although they rank seventh in C-USA for points per game in the paint, their overall offensive production has been lackluster at best. Max Fiedler has been a key player for the Owls, averaging 8.1 points per game in the paint, but their other offensive weapons have struggled to make a significant impact. Quincy Olivari has shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 18.8 points and 5.9 rebounds over the last 10 games, but he has been inconsistent throughout the season. Tevian Jones and Maizen Fausett will be players to watch on the Southern Utah side, as they have been consistent scorers throughout the season. Jones is averaging 17.4 points per game with 4.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists, while Fausett has averaged 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in the past 10 games. The Owls will need to step up their offense if they hope to make a deep run in the CBI Tournament. Their last 10 games have seen them average 73.1 points per game, while their opponents have averaged 82.3 points per game. In contrast, the Thunderbirds have been consistently averaging 76.9 points per game over their last 10 games. Overall, the Rice offense has been struggling to find its rhythm, and they will need to step up if they hope to come out on top against the Thunderbirds. While NBA picks experts may not be weighing in on this college game, Rice will need to make their own expert picks and play to the best of their abilities if they want to win.

Rice: Defensive Analysis

When it comes to defense, the Rice Owls have been inconsistent throughout the season. However, they have shown improvement in recent games, and they will need to continue to step up defensively to secure a win against Southern Utah in the College Basketball Invitational. One of the key defensive players for Rice is Max Fiedler, who is averaging 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. He will need to use his size and athleticism to disrupt Southern Utah's offense and protect the paint. Another important factor for Rice's defense will be their ability to defend the perimeter. Southern Utah is averaging 9.2 made three-pointers per game, and they have several players who can knock down shots from beyond the arc. Rice will need to contest every shot and make it difficult for Southern Utah to get open looks. Tevian Jones is one of Southern Utah's most dangerous offensive threats, averaging 17.4 points per game. Rice will need to focus on limiting his scoring opportunities and forcing him into difficult shots. The Owls will also need to improve their rebounding, as Southern Utah ranks fourth in the WAC with 9.3 offensive rebounds per game. Rice must box out and prevent second-chance points to neutralize Southern Utah's offensive advantage. Overall, Rice's defense will need to work as a cohesive unit and execute their game plan effectively to limit Southern Utah's scoring opportunities. If they can do so, they will have a good chance of advancing in the CBI Tournament.

Injury Report

Both Southern Utah and Rice appear to have relatively healthy teams heading into this matchup. Southern Utah has reported no new injuries, and all players are expected to be available for the game. Rice has also not reported any significant injuries, although there are a few players listed as day-to-day with minor ailments. However, all of these players are expected to be available for the game as well. While injuries don't appear to be a major factor in this matchup, it's always important to keep an eye on any last-minute developments that could impact the outcome of the game. As always, it's best to check with NBA picks experts, NBA picks computer models, and other sources for the latest injury updates and predictions before making any NBA picks or placing any bets on this game.

Betting Trends

When it comes to the Southern Utah vs. Rice match-up, both teams have had a bit of a rough patch in their last 10 games. The Owls, with a 4-6 record, have been averaging 73.1 points, 29.3 rebounds, 14.2 assists, 5.4 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game. They've also been shooting 45.1% from the field with their opponents averaging 82.3 points per game. On the other hand, the Thunderbirds have been doing slightly better, going 6-4 in their last 10 games. They're averaging 76.9 points, 33.6 rebounds, 12.0 assists, 7.0 steals, and 3.3 blocks per game. Their shooting percentage has been a bit lower at 42.7%, but their opponents haven't been doing that much better, averaging 75.2 points per game. For those looking for NBA picks experts or NBA picks computer predictions, it's worth noting that both teams have been fairly inconsistent lately. However, the Thunderbirds have been performing slightly better than the Owls. Therefore, some NBA today experts and NBA experts picks today might favor Southern Utah over Rice. When it comes to betting on this game, those interested in NBA picks and parlay options might want to consider the spread. Southern Utah currently has the advantage with a -4.5 point spread, which could be a good option for those looking for the best NBA bets today. Overall, while both teams have had their ups and downs, the Thunderbirds present as the slightly stronger option. However, it's important to remember that anything can happen in basketball, so bets should be made with caution.

Prediction:

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds will defeat the Rice Owls in a close game in the College Basketball Invitational. While Rice has a strong non-conference record, their struggles against C-USA opponents suggest they may struggle against Southern Utah. Furthermore, the Thunderbirds have been playing well recently, winning six of their last ten games, and have a strong rebounding game led by Jason Spurgin. Tevian Jones will carry the load offensively for Southern Utah and help secure the victory for the Thunderbirds.

Pick: Southern Utah -6