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Rice Basketball 2021 Game Previews: Owls vs Southern Miss

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The Rice basketball hopes to right a losing streak with a set of home games against Southern Miss. Here’s how the Owls stack up against the Golden Eagles.

Rice Basketball

Time: Friday, Feb. 5 at 2:00 p.m. CT and Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Tudor Fieldhouse
Radio: Stretch Internet Portal
TV: Friday – ESPN+ / Sunday – CUSAtv

Southern Miss 7-10 (3-7), Last 5 (1-4)

  • 64-59 (W) vs Middle Tennessee
  • 64-70 (L) at UTSA
  • 72-78 (L) at UTSA
  • 63-76 (L) vs Louisiana Tech
  • 62-65 (L) at Louisiana Tech

Southern Miss statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Tyler Stevenson – 14.2 per game
  • Rebounds | Tyler Stevenson – 7.4 per game
  • Assists | Tae Hardy – 3.0 per game
  • Steals | Tae Hardy – 1.4 per game
  • Blocks | DeAndre Pickney – 0.5 per game

Rice 10-8 (4-6), Last 5 (0-5)

  • 58-61 (L) vs Old Dominion
  • 68-78 (L) at UAB
  • 74-86 (L) at UAB
  • 74-69 (L) vs North Texas
  • 53-79 (L) at North Texas

Rice statistical leaders

  • Scoring | Travis Evee – 15.4 per game
  • Rebounds | Max Fiedler – 9.3 per game
  • Assists | Max Fiedler – 4.1 per game
  • Steals | Travis Evee – 1.3 per game
  • Blocks | Max Fiedler – 0.8 per game

Rice keys to victory

Southern Miss doesn’t shoot well, but they’ve become a fairly stout defense squad under the direction of head coach Jay Ladner. The Golden Eagles allow just 1.6 more points per game than the North Texas squad that gave the Rice guards fits all last weekend. The short bench and lack of free shooting space made for a long series against the Mean Green.

On the opposite side of the court, Rice should be able to grind things out. Southern Miss shoots 43.5 percent from the field and isn’t a particularly high volume shooting team. The Owls need to take it one possession at a time, create opportunities, and take advantage of them.

Rice Women’s Basketball Update

For the third consecutive weekend, Rice women’s basketball will be unable to compete because of COVID- and injuries. Their series against Southern Miss was postponed. The program remains on pause, with six games missed during the delays.

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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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