Final was UTEP 66, Rice 57

I didn't realize the game was on, but stumbled across it in the 2nd half. We had a terrific stretch of defense in the 2nd half and hit some 3s to close to within 2 or 3 late, then UTEP pulled back out by 12 or so, but it looked like we played hard the entire way. UTEP looks like a sound team, fairly big and athletic, and we had a hard time getting anything inside (10+ shots blocked). But the 20 minutes of Rice I've seen this season, I liked.

UTEP was bigger, faster and stronger than Rice. But wow, the Owls played some inspired defense today. When Rice pulled within 3 the crowd noise was great as well.

UTEP is #1 in CUSA. If we continue to play like this, IMO, we have a good chance at winning several more conference games.

(01-04-2015 06:12 PM)Antarius Wrote:  UTEP was bigger, faster and stronger than Rice. But wow, the Owls played some inspired defense today. When Rice pulled within 3 the crowd noise was great as well.

UTEP is #1 in CUSA. If we continue to play like this, IMO, we have a good chance at winning several more conference games.

IMO, we have a good chance at winning conference

I think it's a reasonable goal to win 5-7 games in conference this year.

All three of our incoming recruits are Rivals 3-star ... and our one verbal for 2016 is a national Top 100 four star (assuming we can hold on to him). Things could start improving rapidly next year - with the goal of being truly competitive in conference in two years.

(01-04-2015 06:24 PM)Orange County Owl Wrote:  I think it's a reasonable goal to win 5-7 games in conference this year.

All three of our incoming recruits are Rivals 3-star ... and our one verbal for 2016 is a national Top 100 four star (assuming we can hold on to him). Things could start improving rapidly next year - with the goal of being truly competitive in conference in two years.

I think we'll be "truly competitive" in conference next year, and a potential tournament team in two years (assuming all our current recruits and commits matriculate).

(01-04-2015 06:30 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-04-2015 06:24 PM)Orange County Owl Wrote:  I think it's a reasonable goal to win 5-7 games in conference this year.

All three of our incoming recruits are Rivals 3-star ... and our one verbal for 2016 is a national Top 100 four star (assuming we can hold on to him). Things could start improving rapidly next year - with the goal of being truly competitive in conference in two years.

I think we'll be "truly competitive" in conference next year, and a potential tournament team in two years (assuming all our current recruits and commits matriculate).

I think we're saying the same thing ... by truly competitive in conference I meant contending to win it - which would make us a potential tournament team.

My gut says a realistic goal next year is probably a .500+ conference and overall record and some kind of post-season bid.

(01-04-2015 06:16 PM)owl at the moon Wrote:  

(01-04-2015 06:12 PM)Antarius Wrote:  UTEP was bigger, faster and stronger than Rice. But wow, the Owls played some inspired defense today. When Rice pulled within 3 the crowd noise was great as well.

UTEP is #1 in CUSA. If we continue to play like this, IMO, we have a good chance at winning several more conference games.

IMO, we have a good chance at winning conference

The last three games have been promising but I think that is a bit overly optimistic. The game ending seemed similar to the UT (Austin) game where we pulled close but then things fell apart in the final minutes.

Another good effort by the Owls. UTEP is just the better team right now, but these Owls don't quit and they continue to get better since the start of the year. I think they put a little scare in the Miners today.

So what's the rule in college basketball? How does UTEP's #20 get to finish the game after earning his 2nd technical.

BTW, the Owls did not look happy after the game. They clearly weren't satisfied with a moral victory. I think they will continue to get better this year.

(01-04-2015 06:35 PM)Orange County Owl Wrote:  

(01-04-2015 06:30 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-04-2015 06:24 PM)Orange County Owl Wrote:  I think it's a reasonable goal to win 5-7 games in conference this year.

All three of our incoming recruits are Rivals 3-star ... and our one verbal for 2016 is a national Top 100 four star (assuming we can hold on to him). Things could start improving rapidly next year - with the goal of being truly competitive in conference in two years.

I think we'll be "truly competitive" in conference next year, and a potential tournament team in two years (assuming all our current recruits and commits matriculate).

I think we're saying the same thing ... by truly competitive in conference I meant contending to win it - which would make us a potential tournament team.

My gut says a realistic goal next year is probably a .500+ conference and overall record and some kind of post-season bid.

Yup-- .500+ should be the goal for next season, and with the 3 recruits + the Arizona xfer + the return of Gercy/Jackson/Drone/Mency/Rivers, and think that's imminently realistic.

It was a great effort. The defense was good and our outside shooting was pretty good. Just couldn't finish inside. The team is much improved from the Oregon State opener and I think we'll win a few more games in conference for sure. Was also great to meet Tiki and Tomball at the game for the first time.

I have no knowledge but just guessing there will be no Davis this year. But Jones from the football squad has improved game to game and gave us some solid minutes including a great back door play. His defense is good and getting better. Good minutes by Perra again. The match ups made it tough to play Drone much with us having to press and going small. Best game by Rivers in a while also.

Tomball is right I have no idea how #20 gets to play after the 2nd technical (note havent looked at the box so perhaps they changed the second one to a personal but it was for hanging on the rim). Overall if we don't dig a hole out of the halftime (to get down 16) perhaps it ends different but I think UTEP is just too good at every position for us right now. But like the game against UTSA the run in the second half both offense and defense were clicking and you can see what Rhoades wants. The players deserve better support but the crowd again today was into the game and very appreciative of the effort. Give Rhoades a couple of years and UTEP or anyone else won't leave happy. It was fun...starting to get that feeling I had with the Scott Thompson teams.

The "final" stats on RiceOwls.com show #20 Morris with 2 technicals.

Another interesting stat, UTEP only used 7 players.

But those 7 are tough. Just looked a bit at the replay and we actually were down by 16 four minutes into the 2nd half and got it down to at the 5:20 mark.

If I read the box score right we shot less than 25% on 2 pt fg but over 50% on 3 pt

(01-04-2015 08:01 PM)MemOwl Wrote:  If I read the box score right we shot less than 25% on 2 pt fg but over 50% on 3 pt

You read it correctly. We missed several short jumpers and missed a dunk on a backdoor play plus several under the basket shots and several were blocked.

(01-04-2015 07:24 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  Another interesting stat, UTEP only used 7 players.

Same number they used in their final game in 1965-6.

The Owls are playing entertaining ... dare I say competitive ... basketball. YOU owe it to the team to come out and support them now. Don't be a wagon jumper next year. Call Shu now and get your tickets.

(01-04-2015 07:02 PM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  I have no knowledge but just guessing there will be no Davis this year. But Jones from the football squad has improved game to game and gave us some solid minutes including a great back door play. His defense is good and getting better. Good minutes by Perra again. The match ups made it tough to play Drone much with us having to press and going small. Best game by Rivers in a while also.

Tomball is right I have no idea how #20 gets to play after the 2nd technical (note havent looked at the box so perhaps they changed the second one to a personal but it was for hanging on the rim). Overall if we don't dig a hole out of the halftime (to get down 16) perhaps it ends different but I think UTEP is just too good at every position for us right now. But like the game against UTSA the run in the second half both offense and defense were clicking and you can see what Rhoades wants. The players deserve better support but the crowd again today was into the game and very appreciative of the effort. Give Rhoades a couple of years and UTEP or anyone else won't leave happy. It was fun...starting to get that feeling I had with the Scott Thompson teams.

Agree on Jones. He is really athletic, can't wait to see him at HRS and think he needs to play somehow someway with DJ.

(01-04-2015 07:24 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  The "final" stats on RiceOwls.com show #20 Morris with 2 technicals.

Another interesting stat, UTEP only used 7 players.

In the detailed play by play, the 2nd technical was with 7 seconds left in the game. However, it doesn't show a sub out/in, which it should show when a player gets his second technical. And in this case, it should have been his 5th foul, too. Either way, he should have been out. Did the stat guy just stop tracking stuff at this point? Sure seems that way, as stats stop at 7 seconds with the 2 made free throws off the last technical.

Was the rim hanging on Rice's end? Because both technicals happen on Rice possessions. Or did he just not get a technical for hanging on the rim? I didn't watch the game, so don't know.