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MBB: Owls suffer second-straight heartbreaking loss

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Rice basketball had a rough week. After falling to UTEP via a clock error the Owls dropped another heartbreaker, this time to North Texas.

It wasn’t a perfect performance from Rice on Saturday. There were mistakes and missteps which played a role in the evaporation of a 16-point lead which later gave way to the Owls’ third-consecutive road defeat. But it took, once again, a perfect storm of Rice mistakes plus unfortunate foul calls and bad bounces for North Texas to eke out the 1-point home win.

North Texas closed the game on an 11-2 run, led by six points (four from free throws) by Mike Miller. He finished with 12, one of four of the Mean Green to top double-digit points. Rice outrebound North Texas 41-31, but committed 18 turnovers to their opponents’ 10.

If the two teams played the final five minutes out 50 times, Rice probably holds on to what was then an 11-point advantage in 30 or 40 of those contests. The same is true of the final seconds of the UTEP game and several of the Owls close losses earlier in the season.

Unfortunately, there are no mulligans. This one stings, but a team which lost to North Texas by 16 a month ago led them by 16 on Saturday and lost by one. Progress is being made.

The Box

Player PTS FG 3FG FT OR DR REB A PF TO BL ST MIN +/-
ADAMS 3 1-4 1-3 0-0 0 1 1 2 5 3 0 1 12 -3
PETERSON 1 0-1 0-1 1-2 1 5 6 1 2 1 1 0 13 -7
MULLINS 6 2-6 0-3 2-2 0 2 2 2 4 4 0 1 31 -12
WILLIAMS 20 8-11 2-5 2-3 2 8 10 1 2 3 0 0 34 -5
MILLORA-BROWN 4 2-5 0-0 0-0 1 7 8 1 3 0 0 1 17 -1
MOORE 4 1-3 0-0 2-3 0 0 0 3 5 2 0 0 18 13
PARRISH 7 3-5 0-1 1-4 1 1 2 0 3 1 0 0 16 -3
MURPHY III 18 6-9 4-6 2-3 1 2 3 2 3 2 0 0 32 8
MARTIN 12 3-9 1-3 5-8 2 6 8 4 4 1 0 0 28 5

Player of the game – Trey Murphy

Freshman guard Trey Murphy has shown flashes of greatness this season. His shooting smooth has always been smooth, but he’s been searching for his rhythm. He was the hot hand for the Owls against North Texas, playing a career-high 32 minutes on his way to a career-best 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from distance. His four three-pointers are the most he’s made in a single game this season.

Up next – Middle Tennessee

After an 0-3 road trip, Rice returns to the friendly confines of Tudor Fieldhouse. They’re 2-1 at home in conference play with the lone loss coming in their final game of 2018. Middle Tennessee lost 12 games in a row earlier this season. Despite their 5-14 record, the Blue Raiders head to Houston winners of two-straight.

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Jack Fox shines at East-West Shrine Game

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Rice football alum Jack Fox put on a show in front of NFL scouts and coaches in Tampa, Florida at the 94th annual East-West Shrine Game.

Passed over for the Ray Guy Award given annually to the nation’s top punter, Fox has done everything he can this offseason to make sure NFL decision makers remember his name. The latest in a long line of Rice players to participate in the East-West Shrine Game, Jack Fox took advantage of his opportunity. Fox awed in practices the week leading up to the East-West Shrine Game. During the week he earned recognition from a host of analysts and coaches, many who were watching him in person for the first time.

After a few days of practice, Fox was called upon to put his leg to use for the West Team in a live game setting. The results, for those who’ve followed Fox’s theatrics all season, went just as expected.

Big kicks on a big stage

Fox’s first punt went 57 yards and was downed at the 4-yard line. His second kick went 34 yards before it was downed at the 2-yard line. After his second punt, the defense forced a fumble and promptly punched it in from the goal line. Fox’s superb punt resulted in seven quick points for the West team. In totality, Fox kicked five times for 234 yards, averaging 46.8 yards per punt, downing three kicks inside the 20-yard line and two kicks inside the 5-yard line. He allowed zero return yards.

Distance, accuracy and versatility, Fox can do it all. He’s an NFL caliber punter who has all the requisite skills to make a name an impact on Sundays.

Next, Fox will officially turn his attention to the NFL Draft scheduled to take place from April 25 to April 27. He’s hoping an impressive collegiate career and a strong showing at the Shrine Game can make him the first Rice specialist selected since Alan Pringle was chosen by the Houston Oilers in the 10th round of the 1975 NFL Draft. After Saturday’s showing it’s well within the realm of possibility. Drafted or not, Fox is going to get a shot at the big leagues.

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MBB: Owls prep for rematch with North Texas

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Rice basketball enters their rematch with North Texas with a sour taste in their mouth from the UTEP finish. Can the Owls rebound with a win over the Mean Green?

To say Rice fans, the team and head coach Scott Pera are frustrated with how the final seconds of the Owls’ road loss* to UTEP were officiated would be an understatement. Despite Conference USA’s ruling the “clock did not start on time” there won’t be any changes to the Owls’ record, which now sits at 2-3 in conference play. Time to move on.

Outside of a rough outing in their first CUSA road game against UTSA, Rice has been competitive in each of their five conference games to this point. That includes a 103-87 loss to North Texas, a game in which Rice led by double-digits early on.

Since downing Rice, North Texas has more or less maintained their status as one of the conference’s top teams. They lead all CUSA squads with 16 wins — no other school has more than 13. The rematch with Rice scheduled for broadcast on ESPN+. Radio is available via the Stretch Internet Portal.

North Texas 16-2 (4-1), Last 5 (4-1)

  • L, 76-74 @ UTSA
  • W, 58-51 @ UTEP
  • W, 65-62 vs Southern Miss
  • W, 63-59 vs Louisiana Tech
  • W, 103-87 @ Rice

Rice 7-11 (2-3), Last 5 – (2-3)

  • L, 65-64 @ UTEP
  • L, 95-79 @ UTSA
  • W, 78-66 vs Louisiana Tech
  • W, 73-65 vs Southern Miss
  • L, 103-87 vs North Texas

North Texas players to watch

North Texas has been one of the most balanced teams in the conference this season. They spread the ball around on offense and own the third-best field goal percentage against (40.2 percent) in the conference. What makes the Mean Green so challenging is their lack of one definitive scoring threat. Zachary Simmons, Roosevelt Smart and Ryan Woolridge all topped 20 points in their first matchup with Rice. It’s going to take a collective, disciplined defensive effort on Saturday to limit the many scoring options.

Rice keys to victory

Chris Mullins is riding a 12-game streak with 10 or more points, but the freshman guard has been caught in a modest shooting slump over the past several weeks. He’s connected on fewer than 36 percent of his shots in three of the past four games and is shooting 15.4 percent on three-pointers in conference play.

If guys like Robert Martin and Jack Williams are providing a solid baseline, Mullins has the talent to take over a game and win it for the Owls. His potential is still awaiting a big spark. Getting that spark against North Texas could result in the Owls’ biggest road win of the season.

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Owls make progress on several top targets

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Rice football is closing in on the completion of their 2019 recruiting class. Their latest official visit weekend was a big success.

The Owls picked up one commitment and got closer with several key targets over the weekend. The 2019 class now sits at 18 players with one more big weekend planned between now and National Signing Day in early February.

Defensive targets

The Myron Morrison decision was an important yes for the Owls over the weekend. His physicality fits right into the mentality that defensive coordinator wants to bring to this defense.

The defensive tackle situation didn’t work out quite as favorably. Rice had some concerns about Cooper Laake’s health entering the fall. Given the need for impact quickly at the position, Rice is going to hold off on offering Laake. There’s also a chance he takes the JUCO route and the Owls take a further look at him next year.

Transfers

The Owls made a strong impression on several transfer targets over the weekend. Stanford teammates Brian Chaffin and Reagan Williams were both offered and remain in play for the 2019 class, but I got the impression they’re going to take their time and think things over. Both players would be huge gets for Rice, so expect the pursuit to be relentless by the staff.

Quarterbacks

Rice didn’t offer Harvard quarterback Tom Stewart just yet, but both sides are still in contact as National Signing Day approaches. On the other hand, Jovonni Johnson, left with an offer and was thrilled with his trip to campus. He raved about the family atmosphere and spoke highly of the staff and fellow players. He’s got one more official visit lined up, but Rice is firmly in the driver’s seat in his recruitment.

Potential Houston transfers

Outside of those two, Rice is still perusing other alternatives as safety nets. I can confidently say former Houston signee Levi Williams is not high on the Owls’ list. He was recently released from his commitment by new head coach Dana Holgorsen, but doesn’t offer the same versatility as someone like Johnson.

As for the rest of the Houston players returning to the open market, Rice is taking a close look. If things work out for both parties the Owls could be in play to take the right guy or two.

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Jack Fox the Owls’ latest East West Shrine Game participant

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Rice football has sent several players to the East-West Shrine Game over the years. Jack Fox will be next Owl to participate in the postseason contest.

As a part of his preparation for the NFL Draft, punter Jack Fox will participate in the East-West Shrine Game. The game is scheduled to take place at Tropicana Field at 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 19. It will be televised on the NFL Network.

The NFL has noted there are more than 300 East-West Shrine Game alumni on NFL rosters each year. Playing at the next level is the goal for all of these players, a process which includes much more than Saturday’s exhibition.

During the week players will work with NFL coaches and personnel, their first chance to audition in front of pro teams. Fox’s squad will be coached by Minnesota Vikings linebackers coach Adam Zimmer with Vikings assistant Ryan Ficken coaching the special teams.

These will be some of the first touch points many of these players get with NFL representatives, and a week under their instruction will go way beyond the game itself. Fox has already put his best foot (literally) forward.

Owls in the East-West Shrine Game

Fox is the next in a rich tradition of Rice Owls who have participated in the East-West Shrine Game. He’s the ninth Rice player to participate in the past 25 editions of the game. So far, four of the eight previous participants have been selected in the NFL Draft. Fox hopes to make it five in April.

Year Game No. Name Pos Draft
1994 No. 69 Nathan Bennett FS Undrafted
1997 No. 72 ND Kalu DE 5th, PHI
2002 No. 77 Dan Dawson LB Undrafted
2009 No. 84 Jarret Dillard WR 5th, JAX
2011 No. 86 Cheta Ozougwu DE 7th, HOU
2014 No. 89 Phillip Gaines CB 3rd, KC
2015 No. 90 Bryce Callahan CB Undrafted
2015 No. 90 Jordan Taylor WR Undrafted
2019 No. 94 Jack Fox P TBD
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