Rice basketball teams open seasons Nov. 14

To open the 2014-15 basketball season, both the men’s and women’s teams are sporting new looks.

The men have an energetic, fast-paced new coach in Mike Rhoades, and the women will suit up five seniors who will work to replace the productivity and leadership that all-time points scorer Jessica Kuster left behind when she graduated this past spring. Kuster was the Owls’ only senior on last year’s squad.

The men’s team

Director of Athletics Joe Karlgaard named Rhoades, one of the architects of Virginia Commonwealth’s run of NCAA Tournament appearances, Rice’s 24th men’s head basketball coach in late March.

Rhoades has instilled a high-energy atmosphere in the early season, with both on-court and outdoor workouts. One thing you take away from a Rhoades practice is that the team shouldn’t tire out. He runs practices like a two-hour sprint and not a marathon.

“I can see that we’re probably one of the hardest-working teams in the nation because of coach Rhoades,” said junior guard Max Guercy. “It’s a mental thing (having to play through the tough practices). We need to get through it and just compete every day.”

When asked about the high-octane practice and pace of play, Rhoades said, “That’s just how we’re going to play.

“We’re going to play just as hard as we possibly can every second we’re out there, and we’re going to do it at the best of our ability by playing together and playing the right way,” he said. “But it’s going to be because of effort, and it’s going to be because of how much guys are committed to each other. We have to practice like that every single day.  Every time we’re together we have to practice so hard that we’re getting to fatigue. The only way to do that is to do it together.”

Rhoades and his staff are actively hands-on and participate during the practice sessions.  Rhoades said that he and his staff have enjoyed their run-up to their first season at Rice.

“I’m having a blast, and our staff is having a blast,” Rhoades said. “The one thing from these guys (the players) from day one is that they’ve given themselves to us, and they’ve been very, very coachable. They’re great kids; they understood that there’s going to be a level of commitment that they’ve never seen before, and they wanted that.”

The men’s team, which ended last season with a 7-23 record, opens its season Nov. 14 on the road against Pac-12 Conference’s Oregon State. The Owls will begin Conference USA play Jan. 2 at home against University of Texas, San Antonio.

The women’s team

Entering his 10th season at Rice, women’s head basketball coach Greg Williams is looking for new leaders. With Rice’s all-time scorer Kuster an alumna, Williams has opened the door and is challenging his five seniors and other players to take on bigger roles.

“Last year with Jessica being our only senior, she did a tremendous job of trying to be a leader, but it’s really hard when you’re the only senior,” Williams said. “This year we have five seniors, and they all are stepping up and taking some responsibility, which they need to as seniors to be leaders both on and off the court.

“They’ve come in with really good attitudes, and they’re very enthusiastic in practice,” Williams said.

“We’re going to put on a show; we’re going to have fun doing what we’re doing, and we’re just going to play for Rice,” said sophomore guard Maya Adetula. “People should come watch Rice women’s basketball just because when we go, we just play with so much heart and passion.”

“I think this team is really close-knit and they really play hard and like each other,” Williams said. “The team chemistry is very strong, and that can carry through many problems that may occur.”

“The heart is just incredible,” said senior forward Megan Shafer. “I’m sure people can hear us down the hall (during practice), because we’re just yelling and screaming for each other.”

The lady Owls, who were 13-17 last season, will open their season Nov. 14 at home against Prairie View A&M.

To cheer, yell and scream for the Rice basketball teams in person, you can purchase tickets for the men’s and women’s games online at www.riceowls.com/tickets/rice-tickets.html or by calling (713) 522-OWLS.

Photos by Rice University Photographer Tommy LaVergne. The video was produced by Brandon Martin, manager of videography at Rice.