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Owls vs Roadrunners Picks and Predictions – Wednesday January 14, 2026
Rice heads to San Antonio on Wednesday night for an AAC matchup with UTSA at the Convocation Center. Tip is set for 8:00 PM ET, with ESPN+ carrying the stream. Rice is priced as a road favorite at -5.5, and that number tells you the market thinks the Owls are the more functional team, even away from home.
The total is 145.5, which sits in that range where a normal whistle and average shooting can get you close, but a couple cold stretches can bury the over. Given the way both teams tend to win possessions, this game is likely to be decided by rebounding, turnover margin, and whether either side can create easy points without relying on half-court shot-making.
Rice Owls vs UTSA Roadrunners Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep tracking the latest movement on the college basketball odds board before tip.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Owls | -225 | -5.5 (-111) | U 145.5 (-110) |
| UTSA Roadrunners | +185 | +5.5 (-110) | O 145.5 (-110) |
Rice Owls Betting Form
Rice is coming off a frustrating one-point loss to Charlotte, and those are the kinds of games that can sharpen a team heading into a road spot. Trae Broadnax and Nick Anderson carried the scoring load, and the big takeaway is that Rice has a couple creators who can manufacture points even when the offense isn’t flowing perfectly.
The Owls aren’t an elite scoring team, but they’re steady. They average 73.4 points per game and rebound well enough to create second chances, which is important in a matchup where neither team profiles as a clean shooting machine. Rice’s better path is to get extra possessions, avoid live-ball turnovers, and force UTSA to score in the half court. If Rice does that, it tends to separate naturally, because UTSA has had trouble stringing together efficient offense.
For recent results and splits, check Rice stats and results.
UTSA Roadrunners Betting Form
UTSA is trying to stabilize after a rough loss to Tulane, and the bigger concern isn’t just the loss, it’s the lack of offense. When UTSA falls behind and has to chase points, the possessions get messy, and the shooting profile doesn’t support quick comebacks. At home, the hope is that the Roadrunners can start cleaner, defend without fouling, and keep the game in a tighter band where the spread stays live.
The strongest case for UTSA is effort stats. They rebound at a similar rate to Rice and generate steals, which can be their best source of easy points. If UTSA can win the turnover battle and get a handful of transition buckets, it changes the shape of the game. Without that, UTSA is relying on half-court scoring, and that’s been the most unstable part of its profile.
For game logs and home splits, use UTSA schedule and stats.
Rice Owls vs UTSA Roadrunners Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is about who gets cleaner possessions. Rice is more composed offensively, and it has guards who can get to a shot late in the clock without forcing something ugly. UTSA’s best offensive possessions usually come when it doesn’t have to create against a set defense. That means steals, runouts, and second chances. If those aren’t there, the Roadrunners can go quiet for long stretches, which is how road favorites cover moderate numbers like -5.5.
Rebounding is the swing category because both teams are active there. If Rice can hold serve on the glass and avoid foul trouble, it’s hard to see UTSA consistently scoring enough to win. If UTSA wins the boards and turns misses into extra points, the game becomes a real grind where every possession matters, and that favors the underdog and the under.
The total is mostly about shot-making. Both teams have had efficiency issues, and if the game lives in the half court with limited transition, 145.5 can be a bit high even if the pace isn’t painfully slow.
Rice Owls vs UTSA Roadrunners Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Rice -5.5. Rice is the more stable team, and it’s better equipped to win the late-game possession battle. UTSA has paths to keeping this close, but most of them rely on creating chaos and easy points, and that’s not something I want to bet on for 40 minutes unless the matchup really screams turnover edge.
I also lean under 145.5. The shooting percentages you provided suggest both teams can have long cold stretches, and the cleanest path for Rice to win is to control the game rather than sprint. If Rice gets up early, it has no reason to accelerate. UTSA also doesn’t profile as a team that can force pace with efficient scoring.
If you’re picking one bet, I prefer the under. Rice can still win comfortably in a game that lands in the high 60s or low 70s for both teams.
Best Bet: Under 145.5
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
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