The East Carolina Pirates will look to pick up a win while covering the spread when they take on the Owls in Rice at Autry Court on Saturday in college basketball action.

Supporters of the Pirates have watched them go 14-13 and 7-12 ATS on the year, while the Owls are at 12-15 and 10-9-1 ATS. In totals betting, the Owls are 11-9, while the Pirates have a 11-8 mark.



View East Carolina vs Rice Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
If you're backing the visitors in this one, you'll find the Pirates listed as 5-point underdogs

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 158-rated East Carolina taking on the No. 204-rated Owls in this contest. The scores prediction computer here indicates a possible 69-68 win for the Pirates on Saturday.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Rice's No. 222-ranked offense, averaging 67.4 PPG, against a Pirates defense that ranks No. 166 at 67.4 PPG. The Owls field goal percentage has averaged 43.4% so far, more than the Pirates marksmen have achieved on the year, 43.2% per game.

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, East Carolina owns the country's No. 126-rated mark, allowing 69.1 points per game on the highway. Rice, on the other hand, rates No. 203 in scoring at home.

Last time out for East Carolina, they were an 83-76 Sportsbook as they battled Texas El Paso at home. They covered in the match as a 3-point underdog. Jamar Abrams went off for 25 points and added 7 rebounds, leading East Carolina over Texas El Paso, 83-76, on Wednesday at Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.

Last time out for Rice, they were a 76-66 loser as they battled Southern Methodist on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 4.5-point underdog. The Owls endured a 76-66 loss at the hands of the Mustangs on Wednesday, despite a 22-point effort from Tamir Jackson at Moody Coliseum.


East Carolina Pirates Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Memphis are 5-4
After playing Texas El Paso are 2-3
After a win are 4-6

Rice Owls Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 3-4
Before playing Tulsa are 4-6
After playing Southern Methodist are 2-8
After a loss are 4-6

A few Pirates at Owls trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of East Carolina's last 5 games when playing on the road against Rice
East Carolina is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Rice's last 5 games when playing East Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Rice's last 5 games when playing at home against East Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Rice's last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Rice's last 6 games


Next up:
East Carolina home to Memphis, Wednesday, March 2
Rice home to Tulsa, Wednesday, March 2