Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916

Thursday, March 28, 2024 — Houston, TX

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The Final Kauntdown: Wrapping up Rice-Hawaii

(09/11/18 3:27am)

Another week, another closer-than-expected loss for Rice football. The Owls entered their game against the University of Hawaii as a 17.5-point underdog, according to ESPN, and lost by a score of 43-29. That scoreline is actually somewhat misleading—for much of the fourth quarter, it was a one-possession game. After another encouraging defeat, here are some takeaways for the Owls.


​The Final Kauntdown: Owls fans can keep dreaming big

(04/18/18 3:29am)

My first article for the Thresher sports section was a preview of the football team’s 2015 road game at the University of Texas, Austin. Rice was feeling pretty good about itself. The week prior, the Owls had destroyed FCS team Wagner University 56-16 in the season opener. They were coming off three consecutive bowl appearances and were picked by the conference media to finish second in the Conference USA West Division behind only Louisiana Tech University.


​The Final Kauntdown: Dark times in Rice Athletics

(03/28/18 6:42am)

I’ll admit it; I didn’t see it coming. Throughout my time at this school, I have criticized Rice Athletics. I thought the department was slow to address problems, that teams were trending in the wrong direction, that change was often necessary. I now admit that I was wrong. After nearly 30 years of occasional greatness and frequent respectability, Rice Athletics has returned to the good ol’ days. Finally, Rice sucks again.


​The Final Kauntdown: Rice baseball no longer among national elite

(03/21/18 2:08am)

Everyone who follows Rice baseball knows the numbers: 23 straight NCAA tournament appearances. Seven College World Series appearances. One national championship. And if anyone doesn’t know them, they can see them as soon as they enter Reckling Park. A flag in left field celebrates the 2003 national champions, and various plaques, trophies and signs celebrate all of the College World Series teams and star players of the past.




​The Final Kauntdown: A midwinter airing of grievances

(01/24/18 4:50am)

Something is missing from Rice Athletics these days. It’s not the fans. They were hardly ever here in the first place. And it’s not winning. Honestly, there’s almost been too much of that lately — are we sure this is our women’s basketball team? The spring semester has begun, and things are going a little bit too well. It’s time we added a little bit of negativity. Without further ado, here is a series of complaints about Rice Athletics.






The Final Kauntdown: After this season, Rice baseball may never be the same

(04/04/17 1:36am)

It’s just not the same this year. As the calendar turns past Beer Bike, normally the focus of Rice fans turns from the end of basketball season to the heart of the baseball season. It would typically be time to look at the standings and see Rice baseball battling for the top spot in Conference USA. We should be monitoring its position in the top-25 rankings. Instead, we are left to wonder whether the Owls will even qualify for the C-USA tournament. Baseball season is different this year. It is not a good thing.


The Final Kauntdown: Don't blame Rhoades for leaving

(03/28/17 9:04am)

One moment, Rice men’s basketball was celebrating its best season in over a decade. The next, it was lost. Last week, former Rice men’s basketball head coach Mike Rhoades took the job as head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University, leaving Rice looking for a new coach and speculating about potential transfers. It would make sense to feel betrayed. But it would be wrong to be angry at Rhoades for taking the job at VCU, because the NCAA is structured such that VCU presents him with his only chance at national success.


The Final Kauntdown: Baseball season falling apart

(03/21/17 4:16am)

When the baseball season began, Rice understandably had high expectations. The Owls have reached the NCAA tournament in 22 consecutive seasons and finished one run shy of the conference title last year. A month into the season, the team is 6-16. It is nowhere near the national powerhouse we have come to expect. The reason for the decline is simple: The Owls’ pitching has failed them.


The Final Kauntdown: Men's basketball's season is already special

(02/28/17 11:25pm)

After Rice men’s basketball’s 88-81 upset win over Louisiana Tech University, head coach Mike Rhoades, smiling ear to ear, lifted his daughter up in a bear hug and spun her around. His players, equally big smiles on their faces, hugged and celebrated as they lined up to sing Rice’s alma mater. It was the sort of scene normally reserved for a championship victory. For Rice, it might as well have been just that. Saturday’s win over the Bulldogs validated the Owls’ season as one of the best in school history regardless of how the team fares the rest of the way.


The Final Kauntdown: Baseball provides reasons for optimism in season opening series

(02/21/17 4:09am)

Last week in the Thresher’s baseball insert, multiple Rice players said their goal this season is to qualify for the College World Series. After one series, the Owls’ record stands at 2-2. Despite the high expectations of the team heading into the season, the opening series was not a setback. Rather, the season-opening series revealed strong hitting from the bottom of the lineup and a deep pitching staff that can carry the Owls deep into the postseason.