Rice Owls men's basketball

Rice Owls
2024–25 Rice Owls men's basketball team
UniversityRice University
First season1914–15
All-time record1,189–1,525 (.438)
Head coachRob Lanier (1st 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 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).

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 Cummings 1914–1917 30–11 .732
Wilbur Tisdale 1917–1919 14–14 .500
Leslie Mann 1919–1920 6–6 .500
Pete Cawthon 1920–1921 5–10 .333
Howard Yerges Sr. 1921–1922 2–12 .143
Philip Arbuckle 1922–1923 10–9 .526
Franklyn Ashcraft 1923–1924 3–17 .150
John Patrick Nicholson 1924–1925 2–12 .143
Franklyn Ashcraft 1925–1927 1–22 .043
Russell Daugherty 1927–1932 25–46 .352
James Kitts 1932–1938 48–56 .462
Buster Brannon 1938–1942 68–20 .773
Joe Davis 1942–1945 52–10 .839
Buster Brannon 1945–1946 17–16 .515
Joe Davis 1946–1949 31–46 .403
Don Suman 1949–1959 149–106 .584
John Frankie 1959–1963 39–54 .419
George Carlisle 1963–1966 18–53 .254
Don Knodel 1966–1974 77–126 .379
Bob Polk 1974–1977 17–63 .212
Mike Schuler 1977–1981 30–76 .283
Tommy Suitts 1981–1987 64–106 .376
Scott Thompson 1987–1992 65–79 .451
Willis Wilson 1992–2008 219–246 .471
Ben Braun 2008–2014 63–128 .330
Mike Rhoades 2014–2017 47–52 .474
Scott Pera 2017–2024 96–127 .430
Rob Lanier 2024–present 0–0 .000

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

NIT results

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

Year Round Opponent Result
1943 Quarterfinals St. John's L 49–51
1991 First round Arkansas State L 71–78
1993 First round
Second round		 Wisconsin
Boston College		 W 77–73
L 68–101
2004 Opening Round UW-Milwaukee L 53–91
2005 Opening Round Southwest Missouri State L 82–105

CBI results

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

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

CIT results

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

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

Players of note

Tudor Fieldhouse before a men's basketball game in 2022

Owls in the NBA

Owls in international basketball

Politicians

Retired numbers

Main article: List of NCAA men's 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.
16 Bill Henry 1942–45 [2]
21 Gene Schwinger 1951–54 [2]
22 Bill Closs 1939–43 [2]
23 Bob Kinney 1938–42 [2]
25 Ricky Pierce 1979–82 [2]
29 Don Lance 1951–54 [2]

References

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