The Rice Owls will meet the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks at Johnson Coliseum in Nacogdoches, TX. The game is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on ESPN+. This non-conference game features teams from the American Athletic and Southland conferences.
Rice enters with a 1-2 record, having faced tough competition in their recent games. Notable performances have come from players like Jaxson Thompson and Jacob Dar. In their last outing against Stanford, Thompson scored 14 points.
Stephen F. Austin holds a perfect 3-0 record this season. The Lumberjacks have shown strength at home, winning both games at their venue. Erik Makke has been a key player, contributing significantly in their recent victory over Abilene Christian.
Stephen F. Austin vs Rice At a Glance
- Matchup: Rice Owls vs Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
- Venue: Johnson Coliseum, Nacogdoches TX
- Date & Time: Saturday, November 14, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET
- TV: ESPN+
- Stephen F. Austin's Record: 3-0 in the 2027 Regular Season
- Game Odds: Stephen F. Austin is favored with a spread of -11
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks: A Look at Their Current Season Performance
Offensive Overview
The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks average 95 points per game, placing them 28th in scoring. Their possession rate is on the lower side at 70 per game, which ranks 272nd. They attempt 69.3 field goals per game, standing at 38th.
Their shooting percentage is 47.6, ranking them at 128th. The team is efficient with a 57.7 effective field goal percentage, ranked 74th. They make an impressive 13.7 three-pointers per game, putting them in the 6th spot.
Key Players and Contributions
Erik Makke is a standout, averaging 15.3 points per game. His field goal percentage is high at 53.8. Gediminas Alisas contributes 12 points and 6 rebounds per game.
Narit Chotikavanic adds 11 points per game, shooting 60% from the field. Marcus Scurry and MJ Russell both average 9.3 points, with Russell contributing 4.3 rebounds as well.
Recent Game Performances
In their recent win against Abilene Christian, Erik Makke scored 21 points. Gediminas Alisas added 18 points, with a 77.8% shooting percentage. Christian Green also played a vital role with 9 points and 4 rebounds.
Against Texas Lutheran, the team won by 57 points. Erik Makke scored 10 points and had 4 assists. Edwin Daniel, despite being questionable for future games, grabbed 6 rebounds.
Defensive Standings
The Lumberjacks average 5.3 steals per game, ranking 105th. They have 7 blocks per game, placing them at 514th. The team maintains a low turnover rate of 7.7 per game, making them 8th in this category.
They commit 19 fouls per game, which ranks 311th. This aspect may need improvement for better defensive control. Their rebounds per game stand at 48.7, ranking them 9th overall.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 10: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 1-0 (100.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-1-2 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 0-1-2 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 0-1-2 (0.0%)
- ATS All Games: 0-1-2 (0.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
Rice Owls: A Look at the Upcoming Challenge
Offensive Strategy
Rice Owls have a dynamic offense, averaging 81.3 points per game. They take 70 field goal attempts per game, ranking them in the top 25. However, their field goal percentage stands at 41%, placing them near the bottom nationwide.
The team attempts a significant number of threes with 31 per game, but their 3-point percentage is 31.2%. This suggests a high-volume, low-efficiency approach from beyond the arc.
Defensive Outlook
Defensively, Rice records 9 steals per game, indicating an aggressive style. Yet, they allow 17 fouls per game, which can lead to free throw opportunities for opponents.
The Owls' defense struggles with blocking shots, only averaging 6.7 blocks per game. This could be a weakness against teams with strong inside play.
Key Players
Jacob Dar leads the team with 13 points and 6 rebounds per game. His shooting percentage is 41.2%, which aligns with the team's overall efficiency.
Jaxson Thompson also contributes 13 points per game, with a field goal percentage of 46.7%. His role as a guard makes him crucial for their offensive setup.
Recent Performances
The Owls recently lost to Stanford Cardinal, scoring 73 points against 91. Jacob Dar and Jaxson Thompson were notable in this game, contributing double-digit points.
Against East Texas A&M Lions, Rice lost narrowly by 1 point, with shooting struggles evident as they made only 35.8% of their shots.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-2 (33.3%)
- SU All Games: 1-2 (33.3%)
- ATS Last 3: 1-1-1 (33.3%)
- ATS as Underdog: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-1 (50.0%)
Stephen F. Austin vs Rice Prediction: Over 148.5
Stephen F. Austin has shown strong offensive power this season, scoring an average of 95 points per game. Their ability to shoot well from beyond the arc, with 41.8% from three-point range, adds firepower to their offense. This suggests they have potential to score high against Rice.
Rice, while struggling with a 1-2 record, still averages 81.3 points per game. Their fast pace with 74 possessions per game indicates they can contribute to a high-scoring game. Despite their lower shooting percentages, their volume of attempts can lead to points.
In their past meetings, high scoring games are common, with Stephen F. Austin scoring over 80 points twice. Given both teams' offensive stats, expecting a combined score over 148.5 seems reasonable. The pace and scoring ability of both teams point towards a game going over the total.
With Stephen F. Austin's strong home performance and Rice's fast-paced play, the prediction leans towards the over. Projected score could see Stephen F. Austin winning with a scoreline of 85-75, leading to a total of 160 points.
- Stephen F. Austin vs Rice Prediction: Over 148.5
- Stephen F. Austin vs Rice Score: Stephen F. Austin 85 - Rice 75
Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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