Rice will look to improve on its 5-15 record on Saturday when they host East Carolina in NCAA basketball odds action at Autry Court.

The Pirates will look to vanquish their hosts on Saturday, as they are 7-5-1 ATS versus the spread this season, while the Owls are 7-6 ATS. East Carolina is 8-2 against the total, while Rice is 8-3 versus the number.



View East Carolina vs Rice Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to side with Rice in this one found them as 5.5-point underdogs earlier in the day. Watch for line moves and updates at Sportsbook before gametime.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Owls - Pirates odds would favor the Pirates if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Rice is rated No. 342 in the current Odds Shark poll, while East Carolina is at No. 69. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 76-61 win for the Pirates.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Rice's No. 311-ranked offense, averaging 60.9 PPG, against a Pirates defense that ranks No. 278 at 71 PPG. The Owls field goal percentage has averaged 40.8% so far, less than the Pirates marksmen have achieved on the year, 44.4% per game.

Defensively, East Carolina features the nation's No. 313-rated defense on the road, allowing 77 points per game. Rice, meanwhile, comes in at No. 303 nationally in scoring at home.

In their last action, East Carolina was a 75-68 loser at home against Memphis. They covered the 8.5-point spread as underdogs. Ty Armstrong scored 18 points in a futile effort to lead the Pirates to a win (they lost 75-68 to Memphis at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum on Wednesday).

In their last action, Rice was a 79-69 Sportsbook at home against Houston. They covered the 4.5-point spread as underdogs. Max Guercy scored 21 points leading the Owls to a 79-69 victory over Houston at Autry Court on Wednesday.


East Carolina Pirates Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Central Florida are 1-9
After playing Memphis are 3-7
After a loss are 7-3

Rice Owls Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Texas El Paso are 3-7
After playing Houston are 3-7
After a win are 2-8

Next up:
East Carolina at Central Florida, Saturday, February 9
Rice at Texas El Paso, Wednesday, February 6