Rice Owls to Compete Against Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Tudor Fieldhouse

As the Rice Owls prepare to host the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Tudor Fieldhouse, fans can anticipate a game where recent trends and statistics will play a significant role. The Owls have shown resilience in their past performances, with a notable trend in their scoring abilities.

In their last three games, the Rice Owls have demonstrated both strengths and areas for improvement. Despite a narrow loss against Louisiana Tech Bulldogs with an 82-point finish in overtime, they showcased an impressive 43 percent success rate from beyond the arc. This long-range proficiency could be crucial against the Blue Raiders.

However, turnovers seem to be an area of concern for Rice as they averaged 16 turnovers across these games. Their assist-to-turnover ratio has been inconsistent but showed promise with figures like 1.21 against Louisiana Tech.

The team's free-throw accuracy has been commendable, peaking at an outstanding 94 percent against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers – a game that saw them score 81 points but fall just short of victory by three points.

Defensively, Rice needs to maintain vigilance; while they've managed decent block and steal numbers, controlling opponents' points in paint will be vital for securing wins.

Tudor Fieldhouse is known for its intimate atmosphere which can provide a home-court advantage for the Owls. With fan support behind them, it could prove to be an energizing factor that tilts close encounters in their favor.

Looking ahead to this matchup on January 12th at Tudor Fieldhouse located in Houston Texas (zip code:77251), fans should expect Rice to leverage their shooting capabilities while focusing on reducing turnovers and tightening defense under pressure situations. The game is scheduled for broadcast on ESPN+, allowing fans not just locally but also nationwide to tune into what promises to be an engaging contest between these two teams.