Rice Owls men's basketball

The Rice Owls men's basketball program is the intercollegiate men's basketball program of Rice University. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I, and the team competes in the American Athletic Conference. They previously participated in the Southwest Conference (1914–1996), the Western Athletic Conference (1996–2005), and Conference USA (2005–2023).

Rice Owls
2022–23 Rice Owls men's basketball team
UniversityRice University
First season1914–15
All-time record1,159–1,488 (.441)
Head coachScott Pera (6th season)
ConferenceThe American
LocationHouston, Texas
ArenaTudor Fieldhouse
(Capacity: 5,208)
NicknameOwls
Student sectionThe Nest
ColorsBlue and gray[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament Elite Eight
1940, 1942
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1954
NCAA tournament appearances
1940, 1942, 1954, 1970
Conference regular season champions
1918, 1935, 1940, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1949, 1954, 1970

The Owls play their home games in Tudor Fieldhouse, which they have called home since 1950. Previously known as Rice Gymnasium, it was renamed in honor of Rice alum Bobby Tudor, who spearheaded the 2008 renovation of the facility with a multimillion-dollar donation. The court is designated "Autry Court" in memory of Mrs. James L. Autry. Her husband James Lockhart Autry was a descendant of Micajah Autry, who was a hero of the Battle of the Alamo. Her daughter, Mrs. Edward W. Kelley, made a generous donation to the gymnasium building fund in honor of her late mother, an ardent supporter of Rice.

Head coaches

Head Coach Years Win–loss Pct.
Robert Cummings1914–191730–11.732
Wilbur Tisdale1917–191914–14.500
Leslie Mann1919–19206–6.500
Pete Cawthon1920–19215–10.333
Howard Yerges Sr.1921–19222–12.143
Philip Arbuckle1922–192310–9.526
Franklyn Ashcraft1923–19243–17.150
John Patrick Nicholson1924–19252–12.143
Franklyn Ashcraft1925–19271–22.043
Russell Daugherty1927–193225–46.352
James Kitts1932–193848–56.462
Buster Brannon1938–194268–20.773
Joe Davis1942–194552–10.839
Buster Brannon1945–194617–16.515
Joe Davis1946–194931–46.403
Don Suman1949–1959149–106.584
John Frankie1959–196339–54.419
George Carlisle1963–196618–53.254
Don Knodel1966–197477–126.379
Bob Polk1974–197717–63.212
Mike Schuler1977–198130–76.283
Tommy Suitts1981–198764–106.376
Scott Thompson1987–199265–79.451
Willis Wilson1992–2008219–246.471
Ben Braun2008–201463–128.330
Mike Rhoades2014–201747–52.474
Scott Pera2017–present85–106.445

Postseason history

NCAA tournament results

The Owls have appeared in four NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 2–5. Their drought of 53 years is the eighth longest drought between appearances in the NCAA Division I Tournament history.

Year Round Opponent Result
1940First round
Regional third-place game
Kansas
Colorado
L 44–50
W 60–56
1942First round
Regional third-place game
Stanford
Kansas
L 47–53
L 53–55
1954Sweet Sixteen
Regional third-place game
Oklahoma A&M
Colorado
L 45–51
W 78–55
1970First roundNew Mexico StateL 77–101

NIT results

The Owls have appeared in five National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 1–6.

Year Round Opponent Result
1943QuarterfinalsSt. John'sL 49–51
1991First roundArkansas StateL 71–78
1993First round
Second round
Wisconsin
Boston College
W 77–73
L 68–101
2004Opening RoundUW-MilwaukeeL 53–91
2005Opening RoundSouthwest Missouri StateL 82–105

CIT results

The Owls have appeared in one CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament (CIT). Their combined record is 2–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
2012First round
Second round
Quarterfinals
Louisiana-Lafayette
Drake
Oakland
W 68–63
W 74–68
L 70–77

CBI results

The Owls have appeared in three College Basketball Invitational (CBI) tournaments. Their combined record is 2–3.

Year Round Opponent Result
2017First round
Quarterfinals
San Francisco
Utah Valley
W 85–76
L 79–85
2022First roundOhioL 64–65
2023First round
Quarterfinals
Duquesne
Southern Utah
W 84–78
L 79–81

Players of note

Tudor Fieldhouse before a men's basketball game in 2022

Owls in the NBA

Owls in international basketball

Retired numbers

Rice University has retired six numbers.

Bill Henry, Gene Schwinger, and Bob Kiney, whose numbers were retired by Rice
No. Player Tenure Ref.
16Bill Henry1942–45[2]
21Gene Schwinger1951–54[2]
22Bill Closs1939–43[2]
23Bob Kinney1938–42[2]
25Ricky Pierce1979–82[2]
29Don Lance1951–54[2]

References

  1. Rice Athletics Branding Guidelines, Rules, & Regulations (PDF). August 19, 2019. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  2. Rice retires jerseys of basketball greats By: MIKE TENNEY - Nov. 19, 2003
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