Finding ways to win

[randy]

Feb 13, 2007: Rice (16-7, 11-3) @ Tulane (10-13, 7-7)


Tip off

TUL started the game shooting 8-9 FG. After we tightened up our defense, TUL missed 14 of their next 18 shots. SG Jevon Wilson with 13 pts; PG Brian Smith has 6 pts, 3-3 FG off the bench


Halftime, Up 39-30


Start of 2nd half

We had 4 turn overs in the 1st 2 mins of the game, allowing TUL to get a 10-3 start at the 2nd half
14:54, Up 50-44

We can't seem to make any stops, as TUL's 2nd half offense is in full throttle (29 pts in just over 10 mins). SG Daniel Aylsworth, with his 3 triples in the 2nd half, has kept us in the lead.
9:42, Up 61-59

We get a little momentum scoring 2 straight baskets off TUL's consecutive turn overs, as we go up by 6. But TUL immediately came back with a 7-0 run, as we turned the ball over a couple of times also. Momentum shifted back to our side as SG Jevon Wilson and PG James Woods hit back-to-back 3s.
5:58, Up 71-66

After TUL hit another 3 to cut our lead to 2, we go on a small 6-0 run as TUL had a couple more turn overs. TUL finally able to hit a FG to halt our run, before I called for a timeout.
2:35, Up 77-71

TUL unproductive in their last 2 possessions. We increased the lead to 8 with barely a minute remaining. We slowed down the game, and wasted some time, to hold off any last-gasp rally by TUL. TUL had great starts on both halves, but couldn't sustain it at the end.


Final Score: Rice - 79, Tulane - 71


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 23, 1, 1, 4-5 3PT (*)
Aylsworth 15, 3, 2, 3 stls, 3-5 3PT
Hancock 10, 6, 2, 3 tos
Kosik 10, 3, 2
Smith 6, 2, 3, 3 tos
Woods 5, 1, 5
Kante 4, 0, 0, 3 tos
Sanders 2, 6, 1, 2 stls
Edgerson 2, 3, 4
Ramsey 2, 2, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 58-49%
REB: +5
TO: +2
Pts in paint: Even
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +6
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 13-2 (W8)
2. Rice, 12-3 (W4)
3. Marshall, 11-4 (W1)
4. Tulsa 11-4 (W2)
5. Houston, 8-7 (L1)
6. Southern Methodist, 8-7 (L1)
7. Tulane, 7-8 (L1)
8. Central Florida, 7-8 (W1)
9. Texas-El Paso, 6-9 (W1)
10. East Carolina, 4-11 (L2)
11. Southern Mississippi, 3-12 (L3)
12. Alabama-Birmingham, 0-15 (L15)

[randy]

Feb 16, 2007: #25 Marshall (18-6, 11-4) @ Rice (17-7, 12-3)


Tip off

MARS started the game shooting 3-12 FG and finished the 1st half with just 37% FG, but they still manage to put up points.

Halftime, Up 37-34


Start of 2nd half

MARS starting to show its class on both ends of the floor, but we are hanging in there. We have 4 turn overs already in the 2nd half, after committing just 3 errors the entire 1st half.
13:00, Up 47-45

SG Jevon Wilson (18 pts) and SG Daniel Aylsworth (13 pts) have combined well in the 2nd half, coming up with big shots on offense, and key defensive stops on the other end.
6:48, Up 60-52

We stick with our 3-guard lineup, and SG Daniel Aylsworth rewarded us by hitting another 3
4:31, Up 63-52

We were able to answer every FG that MARS made, and get this very important win. We are hoping we get to be a ranked team by end of the week


Final Score: Marshall - 61, Rice - 74


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 18, 4, 2 (*)
Aylsworth 17, 3, 2, 3-7 3PT
Edgerson 11, 5, 0
Kosik 6, 9, 2
Kante 6, 4, 4
Smith 5, 5, 4, 3 tos
Woods 5, 0, 2
Ramsey 4, 3, 1
Hancock 2, 1, 1
Sanders 0, 2, 0
Tann 0, 1, 0
Betts 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 45-37%
REB: +3
TO: -6
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +12
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 14-2 (W9)
2. Rice, 13-3 (W5)
3. Marshall, 11-5 (L1)
4. Tulsa 11-5 (L1)
5. Southern Methodist, 9-7 (W1)
6. Houston, 8-8 (L2)
7. Tulane, 8-8 (W1)
8. Central Florida, 7-9 (L1)
9. Texas-El Paso, 6-10 (L1)
10. East Carolina, 5-11 (W1)
11. Southern Mississippi, 4-12 (W1)
12. Alabama-Birmingham, 0-16 (L16)

[randy]

Feb 19, 2007: South Carolina Upstate (17-9, 12-3) vs Rice (18-7, 13-3)


Tip off

We shot 64% FG, including 5-10 3PT, to give ourselves a comfortable lead at the break. SG Jevon Wilson with 17 pts, 3-4 3PT


Halftime, Up 49-31


Start of 2nd half

Our shots continue to fall, and led by as high 28 midway in the 2nd half. Didn;t see the need to extend playing time of our key players, and every one got a chance to see action today. We shot 9-17 3PT


Final Score: South Carolina Upstate - 69, Rice - 83


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 21, 2, 0, 3-5 3PT (*)
Aylsworth 15, 4, 2, 3-4 3PT
Smith 9, 3, 1
Hancock 8, 4, 1
Edgerson 7, 5, 0
Sanders 6, 4, 0
Kante 6, 0, 2, 3 tos
Tann 5, 1, 0
Kosik 4, 4, 2, 2 stls
Woods 2, 0, 2
Betts 0, 2, 2
Ashman 0, 1, 0
Finley 0, 0, 1
Ramsey 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 55-41%
REB: -3
TO: -4
Pts in paint: +6
2nd chance: -10
Fast break: -2
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 14-2 (W9)
2. Rice, 13-3 (W5)
3. Marshall, 11-5 (L1)
4. Tulsa 11-5 (L1)
5. Southern Methodist, 9-7 (W1)
6. Houston, 8-8 (L2)
7. Tulane, 8-8 (W1)
8. Central Florida, 7-9 (L1)
9. Texas-El Paso, 6-10 (L1)
10. East Carolina, 5-11 (W1)
11. Southern Mississippi, 4-12 (W1)
12. Alabama-Birmingham, 0-16 (L16)

[randy]

Feb 20, 2007: Rice (19-7, 13-3) @ Southern Methodist (13-12, 9-7)


Tip off

Very good defensive defensive effort, limiting SMU to just 31% FG and 2-13 3PT. C Ruben Edgerson was efficient with 14 pts, 7-8 FG. Both teams had 8 turn overs each.


Halftime, Up 49-31


Start of 2nd half

We managed to keep our distance as SMU continues to struggle on offense, now with 13 turn overs and just 3-18 3PT.
Halftime, Up 53-35

SMU gained a little momentum by cutting what was once a 20 pt lead to just 10. But with just over a minute left, SMU had to give up fouls. We made enough FTs to seal the game.


Final Score: Rice - 76, Southern Methodist - 65


Box Scores
[INDENT]Edgerson 18, 8, 1, 8-9 FG (*)
Kante 16, 3, 3, 12-16 FT
Wilson 13, 6, 1
Hancock 10, 4, 1
Smith 7, 0, 3
Kosik 4, 5, 2, 2 stls
Aylsworth 4, 3, 2
Ramsey 4, 3, 0
Sanders 0, 5, 0
Tann 0, 4, 1
Woods 0, 0, 1, 4 tos
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 46-39%
REB: +8
TO: -1
Pts in paint: +12
2nd chance: +3
Fast break: +3
[/INDENT]


CUSA Standings

1. Memphis, 15-2 (W10)
2. Rice, 14-3 (W6)
3. Tulsa 12-5 (W1)
4. Marshall, 11-6 (L2)
5. Southern Methodist, 9-8 (L1)
6. Tulane, 9-8 (W2)
7. Houston, 8-9 (L3)
8. Texas-El Paso, 7-10 (W1)
9. Central Florida, 7-10 (L2)
10. East Carolina, 6-11 (W2)
11. Southern Mississippi, 4-13 (L1)
12. Alabama-Birmingham, 0-17 (L17)

[randy]

Feb 23, 2007: Southern Miss (9-17, 4-13) @ Rice (20-7, 14-3)


Tip off

Both teams shooting well, at above 50% FG. SG Jevon Wilson and SMISS' SG Steven Tuck with a nioce scoring battle, both with 17 pts.


Halftime, Up 50-41


Start of 2nd half

We've given more focus on defending SMISS' SG Steven Tuck and getting the ball out of his hands; only 4 pts for Tuck in the 2nd half so far. The results was the rest of SMISS player's not able to keep up with our torrid offense.
11:23, Up 75-56

Early rest for our starters, but that didn't prevent the rest of our players from reaching the century mark for the 1st time this season. SMISS' starting PG David Dudley had a horrible game keeping the ball, with 12 turn overs.


Final Score: Southern Miss - 78, Rice - 104


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 25, 5, 6, 4 stls, 3-6 3PT (*)
Edgerson 18, 4, 0, 2 stls, 3 blks, 8-8 FG
Kosik 12, 3, 1
Aylsworth 10, 4, 3
Sanders 10, 3, 0
Kante 9, 2, 6
Smith 7, 1, 3, 3 tos
Hancock 6, 5, 3, 2 stls
Woods 5, 1, 2
Ramsey 2, 1, 0
Finley 0, 1, 0
Ashman 0, 0, 2
Tann 0, 0, 0
Betts 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 59-52%
REB: +6
TO: -12 (SMISS: 20)
Pts in paint: +34
2nd chance: +4
Fast break: +16
[/INDENT]


CUSA Final Standings

1. Memphis, 16-2 (W11)
2. Rice, 15-3 (W7)
3. Tulsa 12-6 (L1)
4. Marshall, 11-7 (L3)
5. Southern Methodist, 10-8 (W1)
6. Tulane, 10-8 (W3)
7. Texas-El Paso, 8-10 (W2)
8. Houston, 8-10 (L4)
9. East Carolina, 7-11 (W3)
10. Central Florida, 7-11 (L3)
11. Southern Mississippi, 4-14 (L2)
12. Alabama-Birmingham, 0-18 (L18)

[randy]

Mar 7, 2007: (10) Central Florida (17-14, 7-11) vs (2) Rice (21-7, 15-3)


Tip off

Chance to avenge our loss to UCF earlier in the season.

We want to put the clamps early on UCF's SG Matt Evans. Evans with only 2 pts, 1-5 FG. But UCF's other players have stepped up, esp their bench which accounted for 20 of their 33 1st half pts


Halftime, Up 37-33


Start of 2nd half

UCF heating from the outside with 4 3PT shots already in the 2nd half, including a couple for SG Matt Evans. But UCF not able to stop our penetration and inside plays
13:11, Up 56-47

UCF missed 7 straight shots, allowing us to open a 16 pt advantage midway in the 2nd half. UCF mounting a comeback now.
7:18, Up 69-58

Our 2nd unit able to stave off UCF's rally
3:24, Up 75-61

Our starters were effective in managing the clock in the end game. UCF got into penalty, and our FT shooting was spot on today (19-21 FT)


Final Score: Central Florida - 69, Rice - 80


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 17, 4, 1, 2 stls (*)
Edgerson 16, 8, 1, 6-8 FG
Kosik 12, 8, 1, 2 stls
Hancock 7, 5, 2, 2 stls
Aylsworth 7, 4, 1
Sanders 6, 3, 1
Kante 6, 1, 2, 2 stls
Woods 3, 2, 3, 3 stls
Ramsey 3, 1, 0
Smith 3, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 48-44%
REB: +7
TO: -2
Pts in paint: +20
2nd chance: +5
Fast break: +12
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Mar 8, 2007: (3) Tulsa (18-11, 12-6) vs (2) Rice (22-7, 15-3)


Tip off

We were having trouble breaking down TULSA's zone defense at the start, but our 2nd unit led by SG Daniel Aylsworth (11 pts) and PG Brian SMith combined to shoot 5 triples. TULSA shooting just 39% FG, but their 7 off rebounds have been huge to keep this game close.


Halftime, Up 40-38
We have to maximize our def rebounding intensity


Start of 2nd half

Our outside shots continue to fall, and PG Brian Smith having a career game with 18 pts (4-4 3PT) so far. We have made some improvements also in controlling the boards.
13:46, Up 59-48

Our offense have cooled down, but TULSA not able to capitalize as they had problems handling the ball (15 turn overs).
7:40, Up 64-52

TULSA making their run now, and cut our lead to 6 after making 2 FTs. Both teams in the penalty. I called a timeout to settle down the players. This is far from over
2:25, Up 69-63

C Ruben Edgerson made a clutch basket inside to raise our lead back up to 8. TULSA responded a couple of possessions later. Timeout
1:10, Up 71-65

TULSA gets a steal.. After calling a timeout, they hit a quick 3 to cut our lead in half. Timeout
0:51, Up 71-68

We turned it over again. Crucial mistakes happening at the wrong time. TULSA called a timeout. On the ensuing play, TULSA called for traveling
0:30, Up 71-68

As expected, TULSA gave up a foul. SG Daniel Aylsworth made 2 FTs to make this a 2 possession game. TULSA missed 2 attempts from 3. We almost gave this game away. We were able to survive a sub par performance by SG Jevon Wilson (2-11 FG, 4 tos), thanks to Aylsworth and PG Brian Smith.


Final Score: Tulsa - 68, Rice - 73


Box Scores
[INDENT]Smith 18, 8, 4, 4-4 3PT (*)
Aylsworth 17, 1, 0, 4 stls, 3-4 3PT
Edgerson 10, 6, 0
Hancock 9, 2, 1
Wilson 6, 2, 1, 4 tos
Sanders 5, 7, 3
Kosik 5, 2, 0
Kante 2, 1, 4
Ramsey 1, 1, 0
Woods 0, 0, 1
Tann 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 44-39%
REB: -14 (-9 off)
TO: -7
Pts in paint: -6
2nd chance: -10
Fast break: -6
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Mar 9, 2007: (2) Rice (23-7, 15-3) vs (4) Marshall (20-10, 11-7)


Tip off

Marshall beat #3 Memphis in the last round

Our game plan is to play tough physical m2m defense, and its working so far as MARS is shooting just 25% FG. We are also winning the battle on the boards.

Halftime, Up 31-24


Start of 2nd half

While we have effectively pressured MARS' guards, our double team defense are a bit late against their front court players who have the quickness to drive the ball to the basket
13:51, Up 40-36

We increased the lead to 8, but a series of costly mistakes on our part allowed MARS to get a 7-0 run
8:37, Up 44-43

SG Daniel Aylsworth hits a much-needed 3, followed by a jumper by SG Jevon Wilson. But every time we are about to pull away, MARS keeps coming back
5:00, Up 53-50

Teams traded baskets. We got the lead up to 5. We had to chance to extend further after a MARS turn over, but we also threw the ball away
2:15, Up 57-52

Our double team was late again on MARS' PF Earl Carey, and Carey (18 pts) made us pay by successfully scoring on another drive yet again. Up 3. Timeout
1:55, Up 57-54

PF Damian Kosik wide open for the jump shot. Missed. MARS missed a 3. SG Jevon Wilson missed as well. MARS' PF Earl Carey connected on a jumper from the corner; Carey showing us a multitude of offensive weapons. Timeout
0:58, Up 57-56

We go with a smaller, but a more offensive lineup. PG James Woods missed hi shot. Out of bounds; MARS ball. Timeout MARS
0:46, Up 57-56

MARS SF David Gailey, who was a non-factor so far, scored only his 2nd FG of the game, but it gave them the lead. A 6-0 run by MARS. Timeout.
0:30, Down 57-58

SG Jevon Wilson, without hesitation, launches a 3. BANG! Timeout MARS
0:25, Up 60-58

We're going offense/defense substitution whenever possible. We need 1 more stop. MARS' PG John Jones, who replaced their starting PG a while ago, hits a jumper to tie the game! Last timeout
0:13, Tied at 60

We want the ball to SG Jevon Wilson. Wlson has the ball, but he can't get a shot. Time winding down. Passed to SF Speedy Hancock, who launches a contested 3. Missed. We go to OT


End of Regulation, Tied at 60


Start of OT

7-0 run by MARS to start the OT, and we're 0-4 FG. I had to use my only timeout early, before its too late.

We finally scored. Had a chance to cut it to 3 after MARS missed, but we couldn't convert. MARS raised their lead back to 7. And then we turned it over in our last play.
1:35, Down 62-69

MARS broke our press, and our deficit up to 9. We have to take 3s. SG Daniel Aylsworth gets 1 to fall. We had to give 3 fouls because we're not yet in the penalty. MARS splits, but they get an off rebound. We fouled again, and MARS hits both FTs, virtually getting 3 pts from that possession. Wasted chance. We get another 3 to go on the other end. But time is definitely not on our side
0:26, Down 68-74

MARS missed the front end of a 1-and-1. We hurry up. SG Jevon Wilson launches and scores. A glimmer of hope
0:13, Down 71-74

We fouled immediately. MARS in the double bonus. 1st FT is good. Missed 2nd FT. Down 4. Almost impossible now. And we even traveled in the last possession of the game.

Almost made it. Breaks of the game


Final Score: Rice - 71, Marshall - 75


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 22, 6, 0, 4-7 3PT
Edgerson 16, 11, 1
Aylsworth 11, 3, 0, 3-7 3PT
Hancock 7, 6, 2
Woods 7, 2, 3, 3 tos
Kosik 4, 5, 1
Sanders 2, 3, 0
Ramsey 2, 1, 0
Kante 0, 2, 6, 5 tos
Smith 0, 1, 0, 3 tos
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 40-45%
REB: Even
TO: -3
Pts in paint: Even
2nd chance: +6
Fast break: +5
[/INDENT]

[randy]

Our RPI is 17

We're in the Midwest Regionals (Kansas City)

1st round matchup:
(8) Rice vs (9) Marshall; 2 teams from the same conference who just met in the conference tournament finals

Teams in the Midwest Regionals

• (1) #3 Kansas, 2 Nat'l Titles, 10 Final Fours
• (2) #13 Minnesota, 1 Nat'l Title, 5 Final Fours
• (3) #5 Stanford, 1 Nat'l Title, 6 Final Fours
• (4) #23 Duke, 1 Nat'l Title, 5 Final Fours
• (5) #25 Michigan St, 1 Nat'l Title, 5 Final Fours
• (6) Florida, 2 Nat'l Titles, 10 Final Fours
• (7) Michigan, 3 Final Fours
• (8) Rice
• (9) Marshall, 2 Final Fours
• (10) Marquette
• (11) Utah Valley
• (12) Butler, 2 Final Fours
• (13) Maine
• (14) Robert Morris
• (15) Western Kentucky
• (16) Houston Baptist

Other Ranked Teams

East

• (1) #2 Gonzaga
• (2) #6 Seton Hall
• (3) #11 Villanova
• (4) #17 Brigham Young
• (5) #24 Pittsburgh
• (6) #12 Toledo

South

• (1) #10 Vanderbilt
• (2) #7 Iowa
• (3) #16 Georgetown
• (4) #15 Georgia Tech
• (5) #22 New Mexico
• (6) #21 Old Dominion

West

• (1) #9 St John's
• (2) #4 Memphis
• (3) #14 San Francisco
• (4) #18 Xavier
• (5) #20 Oklahoma
• (6) #19 Alabama St

On Probation

• #1 Georgia
• #8 Temple

[randy]

Mar 16, 2007: (9) Marshall (21-10, 11-7) vs (8) Rice (23-8, 15-3)

Pregame Notes

• Key Players
  
  1. Sr PF Earl Carey (13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg); scored 22 pts in the CUSA Tournament Finals against us
  2. Jr PG Mike Mann (12.8 ppg, 3.1 apg)
• How they got here
  
  1. Finished 4th CUSA; Champion CUSA Tournament
• Strengths
  
  1. Rebounding: 36.2 rpg (#14 nat'l), 30.7 OR% (#1 CUSA)
• Weaknesses
  
  1. Scoring: 66.6 ppg (#8 CUSA), 43.6% FG (#6 CUSA)
  2. We're the better scoring team. If we can match MARS in defense and rebounds, we'll have a good chance

Tip off

We shot very well (58% FG) esp from the outside, but MARS able to get more attempts because of their off rebounding (10 2nd chance pts). MARS had a more balanced scoring, while we relied on SG Jevon Wilson and SF Speedy Hancock (22 pts combined) for most of our pts.


Halftime, Up 40-35


Start of 2nd half

We're starting to miss our outside shots, as our offense becomes predictable. We'll have to call in some inside plays
13:20, Down 47-48

We scored 4 of our next 5 shots from inside the paint. We want to go more inside now, as MARS already in the penalty. On defense, we forced MARS to 9 turn overs already here in the 2nd half.
7:45, Up 61-53

We continue to attack the lane, and get to the FT line (8-8 FT, all in te 2nd half). MARS' backup SG Brian Hackett keeping his team in the game, burying 2 triples.
3:42, Up 69-61

Top scorers SG Jevon Wilson (22 pts) and MARS' Earl Carey (15 pts) scored a basket each. We turned it over on our next possession. MARS able to hit a 3. Here comes MARS again. Timeout
2:19, Up 71-66

We miss. MARS' SG Brian Hackett hits his 3rd triple of the 2nd half. Our lead is just down to 2. PF Damien Kosik able to a hit a mediun-range jumper. Clutch basket! Up 4. MARS goes inside. Miss. 1 min left. C Ruben Edgerson got fouled. 2 FTs. Made both. Timeout MARS
0:54, Up 75-69

MARS miss. But they get the off rebound. The put back is good plus a foul. Oh man, that's the worst thing that could happen in that play. Luckily, they miss the FT. Up 4, 0:33 left. MARS fouls as expected. PG Quyn Kante splits. But PF Damien Kosik with the rebound. Kosik got fouled and hit 2 FTs
0:25, Up 78-71

It would take a miracle for us to lose this game now. MARS missed a 3, and we move on to the next round. 4 games against MARS this season; 2-2 record. We look forward to our upcoming battles with them next season.


Final Score: Marshall - 71, Rice - 81
Overall, we did a better job controlling the boards in the 2nd half


Box Scores
[INDENT]Wilson 22, 5, 0 (*)
Hancock 15, 3, 1, 4 tos
Kante 12, 1, 4, 2 stls
Edgerson 8, 5, 2, 2 blks
Aylsworth 8, 2, 0
Smith 8, 1, 5
Kosik 6, 7, 1
Sanders 2, 3, 0, 2 stls
Woods 0, 1, 1
Ramsey 0, 0, 0
[/INDENT]
Stats Comparison
[INDENT]FG: 52-43%
REB: -1
TO: -4
Pts in paint: -10
2nd chance: -5
Fast break: -13
[/INDENT]