Fansided

Southern Utah vs. Rice prediction and odds for CBI quarterfinals

By Josh Yourish

Dec 12, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Rice Owls guard Alem Huseinovic (23) and forward Andrew Akuchie (13) react during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Rice Owls guard Alem Huseinovic (23) and forward Andrew Akuchie (13) react during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

We’re not done with all day college basketball just yet. It might not be the NCAA Tournament, but the CBI can still bring us madness and last time I checked it’s still March.

So far we’ve seen some upsets in the CBI, the No. 12 seed, Rice Owls took down No. 5 seed, Duquesne in the first round and now they’ll face the four seed, the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Southern Utah took care of business in the first round with a convincing, 72-50 win over North Alabama.

Let’s see if Rice can keep their upset run going in the CBI and check out the odds for the Owls and the Thunderbirds.

Southern Utah vs. Rice odds, spread and total

Southern Utah vs. Rice prediction and pick=

The Rice Owls didn’t exactly upset Duquesne by shooting the lights out from three, the typical route for an underdog to win outright. Instead they got 10 steals to gain them extra possessions, got to the free throw line more often (eight more free throw attempts), and didn’t miss inside the arc. The Owls shot 69.2% from two-point range in the game which is absurd. They were 31st in the country in two point percentage this season, at 54.3%, but nearly 70% is unreal and unsustainable.

Southern Utah is 189th in opponent two point percentage, which could give Rice a chance to recreate their magic from the first round, but it’s highly unlikely. What’s much more likely is that This game becomes a track meet with a Thunderbirds team that averages 83.0 points per game, sixth in the country. The Thunderbirds play like lighting, 14th in possessions per game, but Rice will run with them, they are 51st. Rice is also 50th in points per game.

On the defensive end of the floor, Rice is 333rd in points allowed and 326th in opponent field goal percentage. I think Southern Utah will be able to score at will and will win this one in convincing fashion. I’ll take the Thunderbirds against the spread, but also the over will be so fun, so I’m betting that too.

Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change