The Rice Owls and the Duquesne Dukes meet Sunday in CBI Tournament college basketball action from Ocean Center. Rice is currently 18-15 overall this year. The Owls lost to UAB in their conference tournament last week. As for Duquesne, they’re 20-12 overall following a loss to La Salle. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Rice Owls
Rice managed an up-and-down 17-14 record over the course of the regular season. The Owls finished things off on a four-game losing streak to UAB, Charlotte, Florida Atlantic and FIU, but then took out UTSA 72-71 in the Conference USA Tournament.
In game two of the tourney versus UAB, Rice took a 40-30 deficit into the second half. The Owls were drilled 47-30 from there and lost in a blowout 87-60. Leading team scorer Travis Evee managed 20 points with two rebounds.
Duquesne Dukes
Over on the Dukes’ side, they were 20-11 by the end of the regular season. Duquesne went 2-3 in their final five games, losing to Saint Louis, Davidson and Fordham. The wins were versus La Salle and UMass otherwise during that time.
In Atlantic 10 Tournament activity last Wednesday, the Dukes went into the locker room up 33-27. Duquesne was outscored 54-37 from there and lost 81-70. Jimmy Clark topped the team with 27 points and six rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stick with Duquesne in this one. The Dukes had a bad second half in their last appearance versus a feisty La Salle team, but they’re more talented than that scoreboard shows. Duquesne has hit 70 or more points in five of their last seven games and they’ll need to get off to a good start versus Rice. Speaking of the Owls, they’ve hit 72 or more points in three of their last four outings but have only gone 1-3 in that stretch. Duquesne should have plenty of scoring opportunities in this one; if they can take advantage I think the Dukes can cover.