Owls come flying into Hammons with big-time scoring machine.
Last season's taste of the National Invitation Tournament was a bitter one for Rice University.
"We ran into a buzzsaw," Owls coach Willis Wilson said of a 91-63 opening-round loss at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
But Wilson believes lessons learned could benefit his team when it returns to the NIT, at Southwest Missouri State on Wednesday.
At the least, the Owls ought to have a fresh attitude and rested legs this time.
"I think in a lot of respects, our guys were very disappointed last year about not making the NCAA Tournament" after a 22-win season, Wilson said in a telephone interview from Houston.
"We were in the middle of mid-terms and the kids were kind of tired and worn down from the travel.
"I'm not saying we should have won the game, but we sure didn't put our best foot forward."
Rice is playing its best basketball of the season coming into this year's NIT. An 85-77 loss to UTEP in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals broke a six-game winning streak.
Wilson said defense has been the biggest area of improvement, with his team holding eight of its last 11 opponents below 70 points.
Scoring hasn't been a problem for the Owls. They average 77 points and are led by senior forward Michael Harris, who averages a double-double (20.5 points, 11.8 rebounds).
"They're just a very good basketball team," said SMS coach Barry Hinson, still scrambling on Monday to locate game film of Rice.
The scouting situation was similar for Wilson, who said he's been able to gather little on SMS.
"I've known Barry for a while and have a lot of respect for what he's done," Wilson said. "I know Southwest is a tough place to play.
"We've not been able to gather a whole lot about them. We're still trying to collect ourselves."
Both coaches said playing to your own strengths are the most important part of postseason basketball.
"At this point of the year there's not a whole lot of new things or surprises for opponents," Wilson said.
Added Hinson: "We're just working on what we do best. That's all you can do this time of the year, especially under these circumstances."
Of course, it takes only one look at the statistics to realize that guarding Harris will be a key for SMS' chances.
Hinson compares the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Harris to burly forward Danny Horace of Miami (Ohio), whom SMS saw in December.
"It's a very difficult matchup for us because I'm told Harris can play with his back to the basket or bring it out on the floor and handle it," Hinson said.
One of the keys to Harris is his free-throw shooting. He gets to the line an average of six times per game and is shooting 80 percent.
Wilson said Harris arrived at Rice four years ago a 6-4, 200-pound forward and he made himself into a physical presence through hard work.
"He's an athletic kid with a very nice touch," Wilson said. "He's kind of unassuming, does a nice job of playing within our system and with his teammates.
"Michael is not one of those guys who's going to dominate the ball, but when he does touch it, you expect good things to happen."
Last season's taste of the National Invitation Tournament was a bitter one for Rice University.
"We ran into a buzzsaw," Owls coach Willis Wilson said of a 91-63 opening-round loss at Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
But Wilson believes lessons learned could benefit his team when it returns to the NIT, at Southwest Missouri State on Wednesday.
At the least, the Owls ought to have a fresh attitude and rested legs this time.
"I think in a lot of respects, our guys were very disappointed last year about not making the NCAA Tournament" after a 22-win season, Wilson said in a telephone interview from Houston.
"We were in the middle of mid-terms and the kids were kind of tired and worn down from the travel.
"I'm not saying we should have won the game, but we sure didn't put our best foot forward."
Rice is playing its best basketball of the season coming into this year's NIT. An 85-77 loss to UTEP in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals broke a six-game winning streak.
Wilson said defense has been the biggest area of improvement, with his team holding eight of its last 11 opponents below 70 points.
Scoring hasn't been a problem for the Owls. They average 77 points and are led by senior forward Michael Harris, who averages a double-double (20.5 points, 11.8 rebounds).
"They're just a very good basketball team," said SMS coach Barry Hinson, still scrambling on Monday to locate game film of Rice.
The scouting situation was similar for Wilson, who said he's been able to gather little on SMS.
"I've known Barry for a while and have a lot of respect for what he's done," Wilson said. "I know Southwest is a tough place to play.
"We've not been able to gather a whole lot about them. We're still trying to collect ourselves."
Both coaches said playing to your own strengths are the most important part of postseason basketball.
"At this point of the year there's not a whole lot of new things or surprises for opponents," Wilson said.
Added Hinson: "We're just working on what we do best. That's all you can do this time of the year, especially under these circumstances."
Of course, it takes only one look at the statistics to realize that guarding Harris will be a key for SMS' chances.
Hinson compares the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Harris to burly forward Danny Horace of Miami (Ohio), whom SMS saw in December.
"It's a very difficult matchup for us because I'm told Harris can play with his back to the basket or bring it out on the floor and handle it," Hinson said.
One of the keys to Harris is his free-throw shooting. He gets to the line an average of six times per game and is shooting 80 percent.
Wilson said Harris arrived at Rice four years ago a 6-4, 200-pound forward and he made himself into a physical presence through hard work.
"He's an athletic kid with a very nice touch," Wilson said. "He's kind of unassuming, does a nice job of playing within our system and with his teammates.
"Michael is not one of those guys who's going to dominate the ball, but when he does touch it, you expect good things to happen."
