How Big is Rice Now?

by **ponyte** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:22 am

We are in the top half of CUSA. And 1 1/2 games back of the leaders.

Sure, last Saturday hurt but we have gotten some help. Rice beat a very worthy opponent in Memphis.

How has Rice improved since we last played them

What are our keys to winning this game?

Will we actually enjoy a home court advantage Wed?

by **DickerJames** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:17 am

Lose Wednesday and any hope for a big finish to this season is down the drain.

by **Bergermeister** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:05 pm

DickerJames wrote:Lose Wednesday and any hope for a big finish to this season is down the drain.

Thanks, Dr. Doom.
An optimist would have posted: "Win Wednesday and look forward to a big finish going into the last 3 games!"

by **DickerJames** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:27 pm

Bergermeister wrote:
DickerJames wrote:Lose Wednesday and any hope for a big finish to this season is down the drain.

Thanks, Dr. Doom.
An optimist would have posted: "Win Wednesday and look forward to a big finish going into the last 3 games!"

Not trying to be negative, just being realistic about the question of "how big is Rice now?"

See if you like this better. Beat Rice on Wednesday and we still have a chance at finishing strong. Lose to Rice on Wednesday and we are toast.

by **ponyte** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:47 pm

Last game we contained their big scorer. Has the Rice offensive scheme changed any were we will have more difficulty with this player? Also, we have been getting killed on the offensive boards of late. What adjustments do we make to prevent Rice offensive rebounds. It seems that was a key in Rice's ability to stay with us last time.

by **RGV Pony** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:57 pm

When they beat Memphis, I think Kazemi had like 12, maybe 15..some other guy who I don't recall had twentysomething

by **Mustangsabu** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:25 pm

There is no question in my mind that Rice is capable of playing a good enough game to beat us, even if we play well. If we play very well, I think we win anyway.

The win over Memphis by Rice should ensure that our guys don't take them lightly. I just hope that we give a good account of ourselves, we get some refs who know what they are doing and realize that it is a HOME game for us (so feel free to give some HOME calls) and that we get back to within 1 game of first place.

by **hoopmanx** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:48 pm

I think Papa eats their young and we get hot from outside. Owls are only good on tootsie pops

by **Junior** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 3:55 pm

And in barns.

by **mustangsfan3030** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:19 pm

Hoopmax - good observation! Papa should tear them up inside and hopefully we are making shots from the outside. The rebounding edge is a big question.

by **mustangsfan3030** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:20 pm

Junior, another stupid post!

by **Junior** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:35 pm

Wow, then you should probably refrain from reading my other 4500.

by **2ndandlong** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:38 pm

by **mustangsfan3030** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:48 pm

Mustangsabu, you are so correct! This game is big. We need some "home cooking" and even though I missed last game, the comments on the board indicate we "didn't" get many calls. The UTEP game ( I live in El Paso) was really bad. Tim Floyd ( UTEP Coach) got all the calls down the stretch.

by **mustangsfan3030** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:14 pm

Ponte,

Keys to beating Rice

Papa and Rob have to play well! That means 18-24 points each. Limit turnovers ( 19 against Tulsa) and baskets off dribble penetration ( Tulsa scored 15 points off this). Win the battle of the boards. Get solid contribution from others on the team. We need "energy" from the stands so the players can feed off of this. Rice is well coached! Ben did a great job at California! His system works. We must maintain the lead early and control tempo. Go Mustangs!