Rice University’s Student Newspaper — Since 1916

Thursday, March 28, 2024 — Houston, TX

32 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.



The Final Kauntdown: Men's basketball lives up to preseason hype in season opener

(11/15/16 4:28am)

I know it’s early, but wow. What Rice men’s basketball did to James Madison University on Sunday afternoon was nothing short of spectacular. The Owls faced a team that competed for its conference championship last year and absolutely obliterated it. In doing so, Rice validated the preseason hype surrounding the team and gave reason to believe it can compete for the Conference USA title.


The Final Kauntdown: Big 12's expansion decision is Rice's worst case scenario

(10/25/16 4:21am)

Last week, the Big 12 finally made its decision regarding expansion. And no, Rice was not invited to join the conference. In fact, neither was the University of Houston. Or anyone. After months of speculation, presentations from at least 11 different schools and weeks of deliberation among the current conference members, the Big 12 ultimately decided not to expand.


The Final Kauntdown: A football-free space

(10/04/16 3:20am)

Listen, I know. It’s not fun to read the sports section right now. Was it ever? I don’t know. But that’s not the point. The most popular sport on campus, football, is not fun to watch. In fact, it’s totally unwatchable. And not just because the Rice-Southern Mississippi game was not broadcast on television this past weekend. The football team is bad. 0-5 bad. No.-1-team-in-the-ESPN-Bottom-10-rankings bad. So why would you read another article about how terrible our football team is?



The Final Kauntdown: 2003 National champions a tough act to follow

(04/19/16 5:50am)

The flag in left field flies every night; its end beginning to fray. The words on its bright white background — “2003 National Champions” — commemorate the greatest achievement in the history of Rice Athletics. Although great athletes, legendary coaches and successful teams have passed through Rice University, the 2003 baseball team remains the only team to have ever won a national title.


The Final Kauntdown: Baseball team has improved in all phases of the game

(04/12/16 3:26am)

At the beginning of the season, the Rice baseball team looked like it was destined for an unspectacular year. After losing all three games at the Shriners College Classic, the Owls’ record was 3-5. Five games later, they remained just 6-7 after a series-opening loss to East Carolina University. Now, however, Rice is ranked No. 19 in the country by Baseball America and holds a 20-11 record after going 14-4 in their last 18 games.



The Final Kauntdown: From John to Wayne

(03/22/16 11:44pm)

I have often heard it said that Rice is not a “sports school.” Supposedly, Rice is a place where students value academics while the athletic program operates in the background, quietly raising money for the school while students toil away in Fondren. For many, this may be true. Most students do not attend athletic events, visit the athletic department website or read this section of the Thresher. But to think the athletic program insignificant is to ignore its history, tradition and current prowess.


The Final Kauntdown: Difficult start to the baseball season is no reason to panic

(03/08/16 3:37am)

The Rice baseball team entered the season with the hopes of reaching the College World Series. With a strong pitching rotation including All-American senior Blake Fox and a lineup featuring returning stars such as junior outfielders Charlie Warren and Dayne Wunderlich, the Owls appeared poised for a great season. Instead, through 12 games, Rice’s record stands at a mediocre 6-6.


The Final Kauntdown: If you're reading this it's too late

(02/23/16 4:24am)

If you’re reading this it’s too late: You are already invested in Rice sports, and there is no need for me to convince you that they are worth your time. You have deemed that this column is worth your time. Well, maybe you’re reading this because you saw the first line and thought I was writing about Drake. Sorry about that. I’m not.


The Final Kauntdown: Men's and women's basketball face long rebuilding processes

(02/16/16 5:25pm)

As we approach the end of the basketball season, there is little interest surrounding both the men’s and women’s teams. While either team could string a few wins together in the Conference USA tournament to qualify for the NCAA tournament, this is highly unlikely considering their struggles this season. Men’s basketball sits in 12th place in Conference USA with a record of 9-16 (4-8 in C-USA). Women’s basketball’s plight is similar as the team currently holds tenth place in Conference USA with a record of 5-18 (4-8 in C-USA). No amount of Shia LaBeouf emails can put a positive spin on this lackluster season.


The Final Kauntdown: NCAA has power imbalance

(02/09/16 3:20am)

Recruiting students is not a problem for Rice University. Rice is one of the top academic institutions in the nation and boasts some of the best resources and facilities of any school in the country. Recruiting student-athletes, however, has not been as easy. This year, according to Rivals.com, Rice ranks outside the top 100 football recruiting classes of 2016 after national signing day. It is the second straight year Rice has not been ranked on the list.