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Rice Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Picks and Predictions – January 7, 2026
The Wichita State Shockers return home to Charles Koch Arena on Wednesday night to host the Rice Owls in a lopsided AAC matchup. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM ET, with the Shockers listed as heavy 13.5-point favorites. Wichita State has built solid momentum, sitting at 11–4 and looking like a top-tier conference contender, while Rice is just 5–10 and fading fast, particularly on the defensive end.
Wichita State has covered four of its last five games and appears to be turning a corner in terms of offensive execution. Meanwhile, Rice continues to give up high-efficiency shots and struggles to match up physically with stronger frontcourts. The spread reflects a clear gap in class, and the total of 141.5 suggests a methodical, half-court style game — unless Rice is able to push tempo and make shots early.
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Rice Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Odds
Below are the current betting lines. Keep tabs on the latest college basketball odds for any line movement before tipoff.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice Owls | +745 | +13.5 (-109) | O 141.5 (-110) |
| Wichita State Shockers | -1233 | -13.5 (-112) | U 141.5 (-110) |
Rice Owls Betting Form
Rice enters this matchup in rough form. They’ve lost five of their last six, and most of those games haven’t been close. The Owls have struggled to defend — allowing opponents to shoot over 47% from the field during that span — and their rebounding has been a major weakness. They simply don’t have the size or physicality to compete with teams that play through the post or dominate the boards.
Offensively, Rice can shoot, but they’re extremely streaky. Their best games come when their guards hit early threes and force opponents to extend, but those nights have been rare. They don’t get to the free-throw line often, and they don’t play well from behind. For any lineup updates, review the Rice injury report and visit the Rice stats and results for performance trends.
Wichita State Shockers Betting Form
Wichita State looks like a team rounding into form. They’ve won four straight and have covered three in a row, thanks to steady backcourt play and improved interior defense. The Shockers have size, athleticism, and play with a physical edge — especially at home, where they’ve historically been a dominant ATS team in conference play.
They control tempo, don’t foul often, and force long, contested possessions. Offensively, Wichita State isn’t flashy, but they work inside-out and get high-percentage looks. Their offensive rebounding has also created extra possessions and put constant pressure on opposing defenses. For key updates, check the Wichita State injury report and track their full Wichita State schedule and stats.
Rice Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Matchup Breakdown
This is a bad matchup for Rice. Wichita State plays big, controls the paint, and limits transition — three areas where Rice has failed to hold up this season. The Owls don’t defend the post well, and they’ve been crushed on the boards in multiple recent games. Against a disciplined Shockers team, that’s a serious red flag.
Expect Wichita State to slow the pace, feed the post, and gradually pull away with second-chance points and free throws. Rice’s only path to hanging around is to shoot over 40% from three — and even then, they’ll need help from Wichita State turning the ball over or going cold from the field.
- Wichita State edge in rebounding, rim protection, and FT rate
- Rice dependent on jump shooting and three-point variance
- Shockers likely to control tempo, especially in the second half
- Rice has failed to cover in 4 of last 5 road games
Need more insights into matchup value and betting angles? Dive into our college basketball betting guide for advanced strategies and tempo-based breakdowns.
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Rice Owls vs Wichita State Shockers Predictions and Best Bets
There’s no need to overthink this. Wichita State has all the matchup advantages, and their recent form supports laying the points at home. Rice is a team that folds when they fall behind, and the Shockers’ defensive pressure will likely lead to extended scoring droughts for the Owls. Laying -13.5 isn’t cheap, but this looks like a 15–20 point win unless Rice shoots lights out — and that’s a long shot on the road.
With a total at 141.5, it leans under, assuming Wichita State dictates the tempo and clamps down defensively. Rice doesn’t push the pace consistently, and unless they catch fire from deep, this could finish in the low 130s.
Best Bet: Wichita State -13.5 (-112)
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