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Rice Basketball 2021 Game Previews: Owls vs North Texas

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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.

Rice Basketball

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.

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Rice Basketball 2021 Game Previews: Owls vs UAB

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Rice basketball splitting with Old Dominion last time out. This week they’ll square off with UAB while Rice women’s basketball is sidelined.

Rice Basketball

Time: Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. CT and Jan. 23 at 4:00 p.m.
Venue: Bartow Arena
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Friday – CUSAtv / Saturday – ESPN+

UAB 10-2 (3-1), Last 5 (3-2)

  • 66-69 (L) vs Chattanooga
  • 72-60 (W) vs Southern Miss
  • 62-58 (W) vs Southern Miss
  • 61-37 (W) vs Charlotte
  • 55-70 (L) vs Charlotte

UAB statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Michael Ertel – 13.2 per game
  • Rebounds | Trey Jemison – 7.5 per game
  • Assists | Tavin Lovan – 2.7 per game
  • Steals | Quan Jackson – 3.3 per game
  • Blocks | Trey Jemison – 2.3 per game

Rice 10-4 (4-2), Last 5 (3-2)

  • 84-69 (W) vs UTSA
  • 89-101 (L) at UTEP
  • 71-68 (W) at UTEP
  • 69-59 (W) vs Old Dominion
  • 58-61 (L) vs Old Dominion

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Quincy Olivari – 15.7 per game
  • Rebounds | Max Fiedler – 9.5 per game
  • Assists | Max Fiedler – 4.4 per game
  • Steals | Travis Evee – 1.4 per game
  • Blocks | Max Fiedler – 0.8 per game

Rice keys to victory

UAB will be far and away the best defensive team Rice basketball will have faced yet this season. The Blazers lead Conference USA in scoring defense, allowing 56.4 points per game on a league-best 37.7 percent shooting percentage allowed. Their defense beyond the arc is particularly fierce, allowing 26.8 percent of three point shots compared to the Owls’ 36.8 percent hit rate. Something’s got to give.

For Rice, the notable difference between their distance shooting between last season and this year has been drive by shot selection and efficiency. Both will be harder to come by this weekend, but if the Owls can take the right shots with the right players, they’ll be able to force UAB to play catch up, something they haven’t had to do hardly at all this season.

Rice Women’s Basketball update

The women’s basketball games, originally scheduled for this weekend, were postponed because of a positive COVID-19 test and contact tracing at Rice. This marks the first time since the Owls’ began athletic competition that they have been the initiating party for a postponement. They’ll look to return to action next week against North Texas.

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Rice Basketball 2021 Game Previews: Owls vs Old Dominion

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Rice basketball is off to a strong start. The men split with UTEP last weekend and the women swept. Next they’ll both face off with Old Dominion.

Rice Basketball

Time: Jan. 15 at 2:00 p.m. CT and Jan. 16 at 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: ESPN+

Old Dominion 7-3 (3-1), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 77-57 (W) vs Virginia Wesleyan
  • 67-82 (L) at FIU
  • 71-66 (W) at FIU
  • 71-67 (W) vs Florida Atlantic
  • 64-55 (W) vs Flordia Atlantic

Old Dominion statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Malik Curry – 15.9 per game
  • Rebounds | Kalu Ezikpe – 6.8 per game
  • Assists | Malik Curry – 4.4 per game
  • Steals | Malik Curry – 1.6 per game
  • Blocks | Kalu Ezikpe – 1.4 per game

Rice 9-3 (3-1), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 73-62 (W) vs New Orleans
  • 95-86 (W) vs UTSA
  • 84-69 (W) vs UTSA
  • 89-101 (L) at UTEP
  • 71-68 (L) at UTEP

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Quincy Olivari – 16.2 per game
  • Rebounds | Max Fiedler – 9.4 per game
  • Assists | Max Fiedler – 4.1 per game
  • Steals | Travis Evee – 1.4 per game
  • Blocks | Max Fiedler – 0.8 per game

Rice keys to victory

Old Dominion goes the way of Malik Curry. When he’s on his game, the Monarchs are tough to beat, in part because it’s always a different part of the supporting cast that steps up to his aid.

Last Friday against Florida Atlantic it was Austin Trice with a big day off the bench. On Saturday, AJ Oliver led the way for the team in scoring. Stopping Curry is the primary objective, but staying cognization of who else can beat you is equally important.

Rice Women's Basketball

Time: Jan. 15 at 5:30 p.m. CT and Jan. 16 at 3:00 p.m.
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Jan. 15 – CUSAtv / Jan. 16 – ESPN+

Old Dominion 5-3 (2-2), Last 5 (3-2)

  • 73-39 (W) vs South Carolina Upstate
  • 85-92 (L) vs FIU
  • 80-81 (L) vs FIU
  • 71-56 (W) at Florida Atlantic
  • 77-72 (W) at Florida Atlantic

Old Dominion statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Victoria Morris – 17.3 per game
  • Rebounds | Ajah Wayne – 10.3 per game
  • Assists | Mariah Adams – 3.5 per game
  • Steals | Amari Young – 2.3 per game
  • Blocks | Amari Young – 0.9 per game

Rice 8-1 (4-0), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 53-57 (L) at No. 10 Texas A&M
  • 78-53 (W) at UTSA
  • 69-57 (W) at UTSA
  • 74-68 (W) vs UTEP
  • 55-43 (W) vs UTEP

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Nancy Mulkey – 14.7 per game
  • Rebounds | Nancy Mulkey – 8.1 per game
  • Assists | Sydne Wiggins and Jasmine Smith – 3.7 per game
  • Steals | Jasmine Smith – 1.3 per game
  • Blocks | Nancy Mulkey – 3.2 per game

Rice keys to victory

It seems like every time these two programs meet on the hardwood a defensive struggle ensues. Neither squad is going to shoot the lights out, but they typically don’t have to against the bulk of their competition.

When they face off with each other, though, someone is going to have to make that last push. For Rice, winning the third quarter will be even more important. The Owls pride themselves on halftime adjustments and execute incredibly well after the break. If they can take a lead into the fourth quarter, no matter how slight, they’ll be positioned well for a big conference win.

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Rice Basketball 2021 Game Previews: Owls vs UTEP

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Rice basketball stayed perfect in Conference USA play last weekend. Both the men and the women look to build on 2-0 starts against UTEP.

Rice Basketball

Time: Jan. 8 at 8:00 p.m. CT and Jan. 9 at 8:00 p.m.
Venue: Don Haskins Center
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Jan. 8 – CUSAtv | Jan. 9 – ESPN+

UTEP 5-3 (1-1), Last 5 (3-2)

  • 61-69 (L) at Arizona
  • 76-63 (W) at Arizona State
  • 79-59 (W) vs Benedectine
  • 66-74 OT (L) at Southern Miss
  • 77-62 (W) at Southern Miss

UTEP statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Souley Boum – 19.4 per game
  • Rebounds | Bryson Williams – 8.1 per game
  • Assists | Jamal Bieniemy – 5.6 per game
  • Steals | Souley Boum – 1.9 per game
  • Blocks | Tydus Verhoeven – 0.8 per game

Rice 8-2 (2-0), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 61-72 (L) vs New Mexico
  • 90-79 (W) vs Houston Baptist
  • 73-62 (W) vs New Orleans
  • 95-86 (W) vs UTSA
  • 84-69 (W) vs UTSA

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Quincy Olivari – 18.0 per game
  • Rebounds | Max Fiedler – 9.5 per game
  • Assists | Max Fiedler – 4.0 per game
  • Steals | Travis Evee – 1.4 per game
  • Blocks | Max Fiedler – 0.8 per game

Rice keys to victory

UTEP’s win over Arizona State is one of the best wins from a Conference USA program this season, but the Miners did not impress this past weekend against Southern Miss. The talent looks to be there for this squad, but the consistency is not. Which UTEP team will Rice face this weekend? That could make a significant difference in the result.

For Rice, they’ll have to do a better job defending Souley Boum. In three games against the Owls last year Boum scored 27, 16 and 25 points respectively. If he has a big game, Rice is going to have to match him, at the very least.

Rice Women's Basketball

Time: Jan. 8 at 1:00 p.m. CT and Jan. 9 at 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Jan. 8 – CUSAtv / Jan. 9 – Not televised

UTEP 5-2 (2-0), Last 5 (3-2)

  • 81-73 OT (W) at New Mexico State
  • 65-68 (L) at Utah State
  • 75-83 (L) at Northern Arizona
  • 83-65 (W) vs Southern Miss
  • 74-72 (W) vs Southern Miss

UTEP statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Katia Gallegos – 17.4 per game
  • Rebounds | Michelle Pruitt – 5.7 per game
  • Assists | Katia Gallegos – 5.0 per game
  • Steals | Katia Gallegos – 2.3 per game
  • Blocks | DejaNae Roebuck – 0.7 per game

Rice 6-1 (2-0), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 81-62 (W) at Texas Tech
  • 83-51 (W) vs Louisiana
  • 53-57 (L) at No. 10 Texas A&M
  • 78-53 (W) at UTSA
  • 69-57 (W) at UTSA

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Nancy Mulkey – 15.7 per game
  • Rebounds | Nancy Mulkey – 6.4 per game
  • Assists | Sydne Wiggins and Jasmine Smith – 4.1 per game
  • Steals | Jasmine Smith – 1.7 per game
  • Blocks | Nancy Mulkey – 2.4 per game

Rice keys to victory

UTEP isn’t one of the big powers in women’s C-USA hoops, but they’re not going to roll over either. Led by preseason All C-USA guard Katia Gallegos, UTEP is going to look to shoot at a sturdy clip against a solid Rice defensive unit.

Ultimately, it could come down to Nancy Mulkey and company’s ability to keep Gallegos contained. If she’s not able to produce, it’s going to be hard for the Miners’ secondary and tertiary options to make these games competitive.

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Rice Basketball 2021 Game Previews: Owls vs UTSA

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Rice basketball opens up conference play on New Year’s Day. Both the men and the women will play back-to-back games against UTSA.

Rice Basketball

Time: Jan. 1 at 2:00 p.m. CT and Jan. 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: ESPN+

UTSA 4-3 (0-0), Last 5 (3-2)

  • 66-105 (L) at Oklahoma
  • 91-62 (W) vs Sul Ross State
  • 61-73 (L) at Oregon State
  • 102-70 (W) vs Our Lady of the Lake
  • 88-66 (W) vs Lamar

Rice 6-2 (0-0), Last 5 (3-2)

  • 94-74 (W) vs LeTourneau
  • 86-64 (W) vs Houston Baptist
  • 61-72 (L) vs New Mexico
  • 90-79 (W) vs Houston Baptist
  • 73-62 (W) vs New Orleans

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Quincy Olivari – 18.0 per game
  • Rebounds | Max Fiedler – 10.0 per game
  • Assists | Max Fiedler – 3.5 per game
  • Steals | Travis Evee – 1.6 per game
  • Blocks | Max Fiedler – 0.6 per game

UTSA statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Jhivvan Jackson – 17.0 per game
  • Rebounds | Jacob Germany – 6.6 per game
  • Assists | Keaton Wallace – 3.4 per game
  • Steals | Eric Parrish – 1.6 per game
  • Blocks | Jacob Germany – 1.0 per game

Rice keys to victory

UTSA can score. In year’s past, that’s meant Rice needs to match in a shot-for-shot slugfest to come out on top. As good as Quincy Olivari has been shooting, getting more production on the defensive side of the court is more likely to pay off than a high-scoring shootout against Jhivvan Jackson and Co.

For the season, Rice ranks 11th in Conference USA in defensive field goal percentage. If Rice can get that number from where it sits entering the weekend (.424) closer to .400, they’ll have a much better chance to beat UTSA. Balanced basketball will be key.

Rice Women's Basketball

Time: Jan. 1 at 2:00 p.m. CT and Jan. 2 at 1:00 p.m.
Venue: Convocation Center
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Jan. 1 – CUSAtv / Jan. 2 – Not televised

UTSA 2-3 (0-0), Last 5 (2-3)

  • 80-37 (W) vs Sul Ross State
  • 50-60 (L) vs UT Rio Grande Valley
  • 63-69 (L) at Incarnate Word
  • 73-55 (W) vs Northwestern State
  • 47-71 (L) at Sam Houston State

Rice 4-1 (0-0), Last 5 (4-1)

  • 83-54 (W) vs Houston Baptist
  • 66-54 (W) at Little Rock
  • 81-62 (W) at Texas Tech
  • 83-51 (W) vs Louisiana
  • 53-57 (L) at No. 10 Texas A&M

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Nancy Mulkey – 14.2 per game
  • Rebounds | Nancy Mulkey – 8.0 per game
  • Assists | Sydne Wiggins – 4.4 per game
  • Steals | Jasmine Smith – 2.0 per game
  • Blocks | Nancy Mulkey – 2.6 per game

UTSA statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Adryana Quezada – 16.0 per game
  • Rebounds | Adryana Quezada – 11.7 per game
  • Assists | Karrington Donald – 4.2 per game
  • Steals | Mikayla Woods – 2.6 per game
  • Blocks | Mikayla Woods – 0.8 per game

Rice keys to victory

To some extent, Rice women’s basketball is still test driving their rotations and setup for 2021. The Owls have looked extremely sharp on both sides of the court, coming a shot away from upending Top 10 Texas A&M.

Rice does an excellent job of adjusting to what the opponent gives them. So far, they haven’t had to find a consistent scoring threat outside of Nancy Mulkey. A few players have crossed the 15-point bar. Jasmine Smith led the team with 18 points against Texas A&M. Having someone else to go to in crunch time could really put this team over the top.

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