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2021 Conference USA Basketball Tournament: Men’s and Women’s Previews

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The 2021 Conference USA Basketball Tournament tips off in Frisco, TX on Monday. Here’s a preview of the action.

Conference USA Basketball – Men’s Tournament

The Favorite: Western Kentucky

The No. 1 seed for a reason, Western Kentucky is the clear favorite to cut down the nets. Charles Bassey will be the best player on the court whenever the Tops play and the supporting cast is equally as impressive and experienced.

The Contender: Louisiana Tech

Although they received less fanfare than Western Kentucky along the way, Louisiana Tech won a divisional title as well. Kenneth Lofton and Isaiah Crawford, both of whom somehow were only named to the All-Conference Third Team and not higher, are a formidable tandom capable of taking down anyone — even WKU.

The Sleeper: North Texas

One of the best defensive teams in the conference, North Texas can win ugly. When they’re in a rhythm and Javion Hamlet is making his shots, they’re a tough out. If anyone’s making out of the “first round”, the Mean Green might have a decent shot.

Conference USA Basketball – Women’s Tournament

The Favorite: Rice

Rice has lost four conference games in their last three seasons. They’ve proven themselves to be mortal, but it’s hard to pick anyone to beat them outright. Led by Nancy Mulkey and a deep bench, the Owls’ defense has led them to three consecutive regular-season conference titles. They enter 2021 as the defending tournament champions after last season’s event was halted after the first round.

The Contender: Middle Tennessee

Despite the run of success from Rice, Middle Tennessee was picked to win the conference in the preseason polls. The two teams never met in the regular season. Could they meet in the Tournament? Led by 26.8 points per game from Anastasia Hayes, the Blue Raiders can run up the score quickly.

The Sleeper: Marshall

Marshall was far from the most consistent team this season, but they earned a unique distinction in the final weeks of the regular season. They won games against Rice and Middle Tennessee, something no other team in Conference USA can claim. Sometimes tournaments are all about getting hot at the right time. If Marshall can beat those two teams, they’ve got the ammo to beat just about anyone else.

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Rice Women’s Basketball Preview: Owls vs North Texas

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The Rice women’s basketball wraps up the regular season with a two-game set with North Texas. Here’s how the Owls stack up with the Mean Green.

Rice Women's Basketball

Time: Thursday, Mar. 4 at 7:00 p.m. CT and Saturday, Mar. 6 at 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Thursday – The Super Pit / Saturday – Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Thursday – CUSAtv / Saturday – CUSAtv

North Texas 12-5 (9-3), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 63-58 (W) at Louisiana Tech
  • 76-55 (W) vs Southern Miss
  • 72-64 (W) vs Southern Miss
  • 52-51 (W) vs Marshall
  • 56-55 (L) vs Marshall

North Texas statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Quincy Noble – 18.0 per game
  • Rebounds | Madison Townley – 8.2 per game
  • Assists | N’Yah Boyd – 3.6 per game
  • Steals | N’Yah Boyd – 1.5 per game
  • Blocks | Rochelle Lee – 0.6 per game

Rice 15-2 (11-1), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 77-74 (W) vs Western Kentucky
  • 54-48 (W) at Marshall
  • 56-68 (L) at Marshall
  • 73-50 (W) vs Louisiana Tech
  • 64-53 (W) vs Louisiana Tech

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Nancy Mulkey – 16.1 per game
  • Rebounds | Nancy Mulkey – 8.2 per game
  • Assists | Jasmine Smith – 4.1 per game
  • Steals | Jasmine Smith and Sydne Wiggins – 1.2 per game
  • Blocks | Nancy Mulkey – 2.9 per game

Whats’s at stake

Rice women’s basketball can clinch the best regular season record in Conference USA for the third straight season with a win over North Texas in either scheduled contest this weekend. The Owls were handed some extra breathing room when North Texas lost to Marshall last weekend. As things currently stand, Rice has a two-game lead in the West and can only lose the divisional race by dropping both games this weekend.

A closer look at the Mean Green

North Texas is one of the most well-rounded teams in Conference USA. They aren’t particularly elite in any single phase of the game, but they’re above average to great in just about every aspect. Their efficiency and poise stands out the most. North Texas is second in C-USA in turnover margin. They don’t give the ball away and they create extra opportunities consistently.

Rice is going to have to contain Quincy Noble and force the remainder of the North Texas roster to execute at a high level. On the other side of the court, the Mean Green will work to keep Rice out of a rhythm on offense, something Marshall was able to do to the Owls in their most recent defeat.

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Rice Basketball Preview: Owls vs Louisiana Tech

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The Rice basketball has both teams back in action last week, taking on Louisiana Tech as the regular season winds down.

Rice Basketball

Time: Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. CT and Feb. 27 at 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Thomas Assembly Center
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Friday – CUSAtv / Saturday – CBS Sports Network

Louisiana Tech 17-6 (10-4), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 65-62 (W) vs Southern Miss
  • 68-63 (W) at North Texas
  • 55-57 (L) at North Texas
  • 70-58 (W) vs UAB
  • 69-64 (W) vs UAB

Louisiana Tech statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Isaiah Crawford – 11.5 per game
  • Rebounds | Kenneth Lofton – 7.3 per game
  • Assists | Cobe Williams – 3.1 per game
  • Steals | Cobe Williams – 3.1 per game
  • Blocks | Isaiah Crawford – 0.6 per game

Rice 12-10 (6-8), Last 5 (2-3)

  • 53-79 (L) at North Texas
  • 88-62 (W) vs Southern Miss
  • 76-68 (W) vs Southern Miss
  • 71-77 (L) at Western Kentucky
  • 66-89 (L) at Western Kentucky

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Quincy Olivari – 15.9 per game
  • Rebounds | Max Fiedler – 8.8 per game
  • Assists | Max Fiedler – 3.9 per game
  • Steals | Travis Evee – 1.2 per game
  • Blocks | Max Fiedler – 1.0 per game

What’s at stake

Conference USA made the curious, late-in-the-season decision to expand the conference tournament field this past week. Rather than limit the tournament to the top 12 teams as has been the custom in the past, every team will receive an invite this year.

At 6-8, Rice is in the middle of the pack among the overall conference standings, but only two games out of the bottom spot in the West. They won’t have any worries about missing the tournament now, making the opportunity to climb in the seedings and face a team that might just barely originally snuck in all the more appealing.

Rice Women's Basketball

Time: Feb. 26 at 2:00 p.m. CT and Feb. 27 at 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Friday – CUSAtv / Saturday – CUSAtv

Louisiana Tech 13-7 (8-6), Last 5 (3-2)

  •  44-57 (L) at Southern Miss
  • 60-55 (W) vs North Texas
  • 58-63 (L) vs North Texas
  • 77-51 (W) at UAB
  • 83-61 (W) at UAB

Louisiana Tech statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Keiunna Walker – 16.6 per game
  • Rebounds | Anna Larr Roberson – 6.8 per game
  • Assists | Amber Dixon – 3.3 per game
  • Steals | Raizel Guinto – 1.5 per game
  • Blocks | Anna Larr Roberson – 0.7 per game

Rice 13-2 (9-1), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 67-59 (W) at Old Dominion
  • 64-55 (W) vs Western Kentucky
  • 77-74 (W) vs Western Kentucky
  • 54-48 (W) at Marshall
  • 56-68 (L) at Marshall

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Nancy Mulkey – 16.3 per game
  • Rebounds | Nancy Mulkey – 7.5 per game
  • Assists | Jasmine Smith – 4.3 per game
  • Steals | Jasmine Smith and Sydne Wiggins – 1.3 per game
  • Blocks | Nancy Mulkey – 3.2 per game

Whats’s at stake

Rice women’s basketball faded in the fourth quarter in rather uncharacteristic fashion last time out against Marshall. One loss in 10 tries is stomachable, but the Owls wiggle room was less forgiving. North Texas (8-2) and Middle Tennessee (10-2) sit within percentage points of Rice for the best record in the conference. The pressure is now on Rice to take care of business, otherwise they might lose the top spot in the conference tournament to someone else.

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Rice Baseball 2021: Previewing the Louisiana Series

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The 2021 Rice baseball season started strong with a series win over HBU. Next, they face Louisiana. Here’s how the teams stack up.

After falling in extra innings in their season opener, Rice bounced back and took the final two games of their improvised three-game season-opening series against Houston Baptist. The Owls had originally intended to host a pair of out-of-state teams as well as the Huskies, but neither Washington or Arkansas Little Rock were able to travel to Houston.

Instead, Rice made the best of a crosstown series, opening their year with a pair of wins. With a midweek tune up against Lamar canceled, Rice will make their road debut on Friday against the Ragin’ Cajuns.

Game Notes

Times: Friday 6:00 p.m. | Saturday 2:00 p.m. | Sunday 1:00 p.m.
Venue: LA ‘Tigue’ Moore Field at Russo Park
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal

How each team fared this week

Rice baseball (2-1) took two of three against Houston Baptist. COVID-19 concerns at Lamar forced the cancellation of their previously scheduled Tuesday game.

Louisiana (3-2), like Rice, dropped their opener but went on to win their opening weekend series over Tulane, 2-1. They defeated Louisiana Tech 2-0 on Tuesday and lost to LSU on Wednesday.

Projected Pitching Matchups

Friday | Mitchell Holcomb (0-0, 5.06) vs Hayden Durke (0-0, 0.00)
Saturday |Blake Brogdon (0-0, 3.60) vs Conor Angel (0-0, 11.57)
Sunday | Roel Garcia (0-0, 0.00)  vs Carter Robinson (0-0, 3.60)

Louisiana Pitching

Pitching has been a plus for Louisiana early on in the season. Staff ace Hayden Durke allowed one hit and no runs in his opening five-inning performance. The Ragin’ Cajuns entered the weekend with six members of their pitching staff under 1.00 in WHIP, including reliever Brandon Talley, who has struck out seven of the 16 batters he’s faced this season.

Louisiana Hitting

The Ragin’ Cajuns are even with their opponents, batting .247 and allowing their opponents to hit .247 as well. To this point, they’ve mashed four home runs on the season and have hit 11 extra base hits. That’s a decent amount of power, which has been largely shared throughout the lineup. Catcher Drake Osborn was the hot hand late, going 4-for-6 in the series finale against Tulane with a double, home run and four RBI.

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Rice Women’s Basketball 2021 Game Previews: Owls vs Marshall

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The Rice basketball had both teams in action last week, but only the women remain on schedule to play Marshall this weekend.

Rice Women's Basketball

Time: Feb. 20 at 11:00 a.m. CT and Feb. 21 at 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Cam Henderson Center
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Feb. 20 – CUSAtv / Feb. 21 – CUSAtv

Originally scheduled for Feb. 19 and Feb. 20 (Friday / Saturday), the series was delayed one day. The teams will now play on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 (Saturday / Sunday).

Marshall 5-7 (4-6), Last 5 (2-3)

  • 60-69 (L) at Western Kentucky
  • 60-75 (L) vs FIU
  • 65-56 (W) vs FIU
  • 70-80 (L) vs Old Dominion
  • 73-68 OT (W) vs Old Dominion

Marshall statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Savannah Wheeler – 18.0 per game
  • Rebounds | Alexis Johnson – 7.3 per game
  • Assists | Ksenija Mitric – 3.0 per game
  • Steals | Kristen Mayo – 2.0 per game
  • Blocks | Mahogany Matthews – 2.5 per game

Rice 12-1 (8-0), Last 5 (5-0)

  • 55-43 (W) vs UTEP
  • 77-66 (W) at Old Dominion
  • 67-59 (W) at Old Dominion
  • 64-55 (W) vs Western Kentucky
  • 77-74 (W) vs Western Kentucky

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Nancy Mulkey – 16.6 per game
  • Rebounds | Nancy Mulkey – 7.7 per game
  • Assists | Jasmine Smith – 4.3 per game
  • Steals | Jasmine Smith and Sydne Wiggins – 1.4 per game
  • Blocks | Nancy Mulkey – 3.4 per game

Whats’s at stake

Rice (8-0) is the only team in Conference USA undefeated in league play, but they don’t have much wiggle room. North Texas (8-2) and Middle Tennessee (10-2) are close and the Owls still have a date with the Mean Green to close the season. Holding serve against Marshall (4-6), even on the road, will be crucial for the Owls.

Men’s Basketball update

The men’s games against Marshall in Houston were first postponed by Winter Storm Uri then canceled because of COVID-19 concerns within the program.

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