Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns vs Rice Owls Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Rice vs Louisiana-Lafayette NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Lafayette.

Rice vs Louisiana-Lafayette Prediction

Looking to win big? The Owls and Ragin' Cajuns face off at 8:30 ET on ESPN+. The Ragin' Cajuns are hosting the game at Cajundome in Lafayette, LA. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 142.5 points, and Louisiana-Lafayette is favored by -4.5 vs. Rice.

Rice vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Rice Owls at Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Where: Lafayette at Cajundome
Date: Tuesday, November 19th
Betting Odds LOULAF -4.5, RICE +159 | LOULAF -196 O/U 142.5

Owls Preview: Can Rice Deliver Being Underdogs on the Road?

Rice Owls Recent Game/Games

The Owls edged out a 77-75 win over Northwestern State on Saturday, November 16th. Rice, who were -8.5 point favorites at home, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points reached 152, surpassing the O/U line of 139.5.

Rice led 27-25 at halftime but allowed 41 points in the 2nd half while scoring 39. Despite the win, the Owls’ defense will need to tighten up moving forward.

Owls Offense Breakdown

In their latest game, Rice put up 77 points, shooting 41.2% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of 27 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 51%, and they connected on 50% of their two-point shots, going 12 for 24.

The Owls also made 26 of 38 free throws, shooting 68.4% from the line, and grabbed 10 offensive rebounds. Jon Sanders II led the way with 27 points, shooting 52.6% overall and 50% from three, while adding 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Owls Team Defense

Despite Rice’s defensive efforts, they allowed 75 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 41% from the field. Rice gave up 12 two-point baskets on 24 attempts, a 50% success rate for the other team.

From beyond the arc, Rice’s defense held their opponents to 33% shooting, with 9 made threes on 27 attempts. Rice also sent the other team to the free-throw line 38 times, where they converted 26 free throws, shooting 68%. The Owls allowed 10 offensive rebounds.

Ragin' Cajuns Preview: Can Louisiana-Lafayette Deliver Being Favored at Home?

The Ragin' Cajuns faced a tough road matchup against Houston on Wednesday, losing 91-45. Entering the game as +31.5 point underdogs, Louisiana-Lafayette not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.

After trailing 51-25 at halftime, the Cajuns managed just 20 points in the 2nd half while allowing 40. The game’s total points ended at 136, just under the O/U line of 140.

Ragin' Cajuns Offense Breakdown

The Ragin' Cajuns struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 45 points while shooting 32.6% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 39.1%, and they connected on 28.6% of their three-point attempts, hitting 6 of 21 from deep.

Terrance Arceneaux led the team with 14 points, though he shot just 28.6% overall and 25% from three. Milos Uzan added 13 points and 5 assists, shooting 55.6% from the field and 66.7% from beyond the arc.

Ragin' Cajuns Team Defense

Louisiana-Lafayette's defense struggled, giving up 91 points while allowing the opposition to shoot 45% from the field. They allowed 21 two-point field goals on 45 attempts, a 46% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, their opponents hit 10 of 23 threes, shooting 43%. Louisiana-Lafayette also sent them to the line 27 times, where they made 19 free throws, a 70% rate. The Ragin' Cajuns gave up 18 offensive rebounds.

Owls vs Ragin' Cajuns Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Although Rice has a straight up record of 0-3 in their last three road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 1-2. The team averaged 70 points per game in these games.
Across the Ragin' Cajuns last three home games, the team averaged 59 points per game while allowing 87. Their record vs the spread in these contests was 0-3, while going 0-3 straight-up.
Going back to their last five games as the underdog, the Owls have a straight up record of 0-5. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.
Going back to their last five games as the favorite, the Ragin' Cajuns have a straight up record of 2-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 2-3.