Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Iona vs Rice NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Nassau.
Iona vs Rice Prediction
Looking to win big? The Gaels and Owls face off at 2:00 ET on FloH. The Owls are hosting the game at Baha Mar Convention Center in Nassau, Bahamas. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 134 points, and Rice is favored by -5.5 at home against Iona.
Iona vs. Rice Matchup At A Glance
- Sport: NCAAB
- Teams: Iona Gaels at Rice Owls
- Where: Nassau at Baha Mar Convention Center
- Date: Sunday, December 1st
- Betting Odds RICE -5.5, IONA +192 | RICE -240 O/U 134
Gaels Preview: Do the Gaels Stand a Chance in Nassau?
Iona Gaels Recent Game/Games
The Gaels fell to Indiana State 83-80 on Saturday, November 30th, in a home game. Iona entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 163, surpassing the pre-game over/under line of 147.5.
After a 45-45 first half, Iona scored 35 points in the second half while allowing 38, resulting in the narrow loss.
Gaels Offense Breakdown
Dejour Reaves led Iona's offense with 30 points and 6 threes in their latest game, shooting 66.7% from deep and 61.1% overall. Adam Njie Jr. added 21 points, though he struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 1 of 6 attempts.
The Gaels hit 9 threes as a team, shooting 39.1% from long range and 46.9% overall. They finished with an effective field goal percentage of 53.1% and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds, but struggled at the free-throw line, shooting just 57.9%.
Gaels Team Defense
Despite giving up 83 points, Iona's defense struggled to contain their opponent, who shot 46% from the field. They allowed 30 made field goals on 64 attempts.
Inside the arc, Iona's defense gave up 21 two-point baskets on 41 attempts, a 51% shooting percentage. From three-point range, their opponent hit 9 of 23 shots, good for 39%.
Owls Preview: Can Rice Lock in a Home Win?
Rice picked up a 75-67 road win over Arkansas State on Saturday, November 30th. The Owls, who entered the game as +9 underdogs, 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 2nd half. The total points for the game ended at 142, just over the pre-game O/U line of 141.5.
Owls Offense Breakdown
Rice struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 37.3% overall and 33.3% from beyond the arc, with an effective field goal percentage of 43.1%. Despite their shooting woes, they managed to score 75 points, thanks in large part to their performance at the free-throw line, where they hit 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. The Owls also grabbed 13 offensive rebounds, contributing to their scoring efforts.
Owls Team Defense
Rice's defense held their opponent to 67 points, allowing them to shoot just 35% from the field. The Owls gave up 17 two-point baskets on 31 attempts, a 54% shooting rate.
From beyond the arc, Rice limited their opponent to 3 made threes on 26 attempts, an 11% shooting performance. The Owls sent their opponent to the line 31 times, where they converted 24 free throws, shooting 77%. Rice also gave up 16 offensive rebounds.
Gaels vs Owls Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis
- In their last three games away from home, the Gaels have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 60 points per game in this stretch.
- Rice has played well in their previous three home games, going 3-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 73 points per game while allowing 62. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
- Looking back on the team's last five games as the underdog, the Gaels have a straight up record of 1-4. Their record vs the spread in these games was 2-3.
- Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Owls have an overall record of 3-0 while going 1-2 against the spread.
Iona vs Rice Prediction & Free Pick
- KnupSports.com Free Betting Prediction: Rice -5.5 Be sure to check out our other NCAA Basketball betting previews for this week. KnupSports.com also updates their sports betting picks page daily with plays across all sports.