They lose in 4 games to USM. First round losses for both VB and soccer this year at the conference tournaments. Volleyball is probably a year too young to be a threat to make the NCAA tournament but they did have two wins over top-25 teams this year and then a few upset losses. Bummer.

Very disappointing fall for sure. I got berated for saying last year's 3 conference championships was a terrible year for Rice Athletics on the grounds that several thought our baseball team was the most talented EVER even though they couldn't field, football beat Fresno State in Hawaii, soccer won their tournament and everyone was jumping on the Rhoades to #RiceRising.

I wonder how everyone will feel this year if we end up with 3 watered down CUSA Championships in WCC, W Tennis and Baseball. Probably satisfied as long as we hit the Owl Club number and some ticket number is the best it's been in 5 years.

(11-20-2015 08:53 PM)BufflOwl Wrote:  Very disappointing fall for sure. I got berated for saying last year's 3 conference championships was a terrible year for Rice Athletics on the grounds that several thought our baseball team was the most talented EVER even though they couldn't field, football beat Fresno State in Hawaii, soccer won their tournament and everyone was jumping on the Rhoades to #RiceRising.

I wonder how everyone will feel this year if we end up with 3 watered down CUSA Championships in WCC, W Tennis and Baseball. Probably satisfied as long as we hit the Owl Club number and some ticket number is the best it's been in 5 years.

I suspect swimming will win another championship.

(11-20-2015 08:59 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(11-20-2015 08:53 PM)BufflOwl Wrote:  Very disappointing fall for sure. I got berated for saying last year's 3 conference championships was a terrible year for Rice Athletics on the grounds that several thought our baseball team was the most talented EVER even though they couldn't field, football beat Fresno State in Hawaii, soccer won their tournament and everyone was jumping on the Rhoades to #RiceRising.

I wonder how everyone will feel this year if we end up with 3 watered down CUSA Championships in WCC, W Tennis and Baseball. Probably satisfied as long as we hit the Owl Club number and some ticket number is the best it's been in 5 years.

I suspect swimming will win another championship.

If you're right...4 weak CUSA titles...WCC, W Swimming, W Tennis, Baseball...what does basketball need to do and how far into the NCAAs does baseball need to go for this year to be a step in the right direction for our athletic department?

We might as well get this out of the way now so I don't get ripped in May for saying this same old same old is why there are so few Rice fans anymore.

How many conference titles, by sport, did Rice used to win each year, BufflOwl?

I don't think that any conference title is "weak". That's really insulting to the coaches and student-athletes who work very hard to achieve a team goal.

The conference is weak not the title.

And when is "used to?" 2013 had 5 total. 2007-08? 2002-03? Hardly against this conference competition. I'll do some digging on the exact numbers by year if that's what you want but it's not really my point.

My question is what will constitute a good step in the right direction for this athletic department this year? Then after the year lets see if we did it. Seems like a more logical exercise than everyone just getting mad at me for saying anyone other than Bailiff isn't meeting expectations / living up to the hype / #RiceRising