Clash at Tudor Fieldhouse: Rice Owls to Host Incarnate Word Cardinals
As the Rice Owls prepare to host the Incarnate Word Cardinals at Tudor Fieldhouse, fans are eager for what promises to be an intriguing matchup. The Owls have shown a mixed bag of performances recently, but there's reason to believe they could dominate in their upcoming game.
In their last outing on December 7 against the Houston Cougars, the Owls struggled significantly, scoring only 39 points compared to the Cougars' commanding 75. The statistics from that game paint a grim picture: a field goal percentage of just 29 and a three-point percentage of only 24. These numbers suggest that shooting was a major issue for Rice in that contest.
However, looking back at their performance on December 2 against Houston Christian Huskies provides some optimism. The Owls secured a victory with 65 points and showed improvement in several areas. Their two-point field goal percentage was an impressive 53, and they managed an assist-turnover ratio of about 1.56 – indicating better ball movement and decision-making.
The most promising display came on December 1 when the Owls scored an explosive 98 points against Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks. They shot over 50 percent from the field and nearly doubled their opponents' score by halftime. This level of offensive firepower could very well be replicated against Incarnate Word if they can maintain consistency.
The Cardinals will need to be wary of Rice's ability to bounce back after tough games. While not always consistent, when the Owls find their rhythm offensively, they can be difficult to stop – as evidenced by their high-scoring affairs earlier this month.
Defensively, Rice must tighten up; allowing fewer points in paint will be crucial if they want to control the game's pace against Incarnate Word.
Fans should mark their calendars for this exciting encounter scheduled for December 13 at Tudor Fieldhouse with tip-off at noon Central Time (CT). Those unable to attend can catch all the action live on ESPN+, where every pass, shot, and defensive play will unfold as these two teams battle it out on court.