The Rice basketball men fell at UAB last time out. The women remain sidelined, but the men return to the court next against North Texas.
Time: Friday, Jan. 29 at 2:00 p.m. CT and Sunday, Jan. 31 at 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Friday – Tudor Fieldhouse / Sunday – Super Pit
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Friday – ESPN+ / Sunday – ESPN+
North Texas 7-5 (3-1), Last 5 (3-2)
- 59-57 (L) vs Loyola
- 77-70 (W) at UTSA
- 69-77 (L) at UTSA
- 63-33 (W) vs UTEP
- 74-65 (W) vs UTEP
North Texas statistical leaders
- Scoring | Jaylon Hamlet – 12.8 per game
- Rebounds | Zachary Simmons – 6.1 per game
- Assists | Jaylon Hamlet – 5.1 per game
- Steals | James Reese – 1.3 per game
- Blocks | Thomas Bell – 1.3 per game
Rice 10-6 (4-4), Last 5 (2-3)
- 71-68 (W) at UTEP
- 69-59 (W) vs Old Dominion
- 58-61 (L) vs Old Dominion
- 68-78 (L) at UAB
- 74-86 (L) at UAB
Rice statistical leaders
- Scoring | Quincy Olivari – 16.1 per game
- Rebounds | Max Fiedler – 5.9 per game
- Assists | Max Fiedler – 4.2 per game
- Steals | Travis Evee – 1.4 per game
- Blocks | Max Fiedler – 0.7 per game
Rice keys to victory
Head coach Scott Pera was assembling lineups on the fly last weekend against UAB. The absence of Travis Evee on Friday and others on Saturday saw the Owls use combinations they hardly employed at all in their first 15 games of the season. No matter who is available against North Texas, the Owls must find a way to gel on the defensive side of the court.
Rice has enough shooters to get by, especially if Quincy Olivari or Evee gets into a groove early on. What they didn’t showcase in either of the Owls’ games this past weekend was the ability to defend well when put in situations outside of their comfort zone. As COVID-19 and injuries continue to throw wrenches into the best-laid plans, this team is going to have to find some sort of happy medium in that area.
Rice Women’s Basketball Update
For the second consecutive weekend, Rice women’s basketball will be unable to compete because of COVID-19. The Owls announced a postponement to their series against North Texas earlier in the week as the program remains on pause.
