Rice Owls Men's Hoops Releases 2021-22 Non-Conference Schedule

POSTED: August 13, 2021 -- 12:35 p.m. CT

Friday morning, Rice Owls Men's Basketball Head Coach Scott Pera announced the Owls' 14 game non-conference schedule. A season-opening home date against College Basketball Invitational champion Pepperdine and road games at NCAA Final Four participant Houston and former Southwest Conference foe Texas highlight the Owls' non-conference schedule.

"I am pleased to announce our 2021-22 non-conference schedule," said Pera. "The season starts off with the defending CBI Champs Pepperdine Waves coming to Tudor Fieldhouse, followed by a crosstown game against Houston who is coming off a Final Four appearance. The schedule also has terrific in-state match-ups against Texas State, HBU and Incarnate Word as well as a road game against Texas right before Christmas. We also have a terrific opportunity to play in an eight team event near Fort Myers, Florida right before Thanksgiving. That tournament features Vermont, Delaware, Oakland, Akron, Fordham, Evansville and Appalachian State. We are excited about the challenges the schedule brings as well as the opportunities to challenge ourselves before we get into the grueling Conference USA slate. I can't wait to see our students and fans back in Tudor Fieldhouse this winter."

Rice opens the season on November 4 when it hosts St. Edward's in exhibition play. The regular season begins at home for the first time in four years when it hosts CBI champion Pepperdine on November 9. It is the first meeting with the Waves since 1981 and the first time they will come to Houston since 1950.

The Owls will stay in town for its first road game when it travels crosstown to face NCAA Final Four participant Houston on November 12. It is the first time that Rice will face a Final Four participant since Memphis in 2008-09.

Next, Rice hosts Southern on November 16 before embarking on a four-game road trip, beginning with a November 19 date at New Orleans.

The trip concludes when Rice participates in the ninth annual Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, FL, November 22-24. Rice opens the tournament against Evansville before facing either Oakland or America East regular season champion Vermont the next day. Rice will close the tournament against either Akron, Sun Belt champion Appalachian State, Delaware or Fordham.

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The Owls return home for four of the next five games, beginning on November 30 when it hosts Sun Belt Conference regular season champion Texas State before welcoming Jarvis Christian on December 4.

A week later, Rice will play at Sharp Gymnasium for the second year in a row when it travels down the road to face Houston Baptist on December 11.

The annual Kid's Day game returns to Tudor Fieldhouse after a year hiatus due to COVID-19 when the Owls host Incarnate Word in the eighth annual edition on December 16. Rice final home non-conference game will come against St. Thomas three days later (December 19).

Rice closes its non-conference schedule on December 22 when it travels to Austin to face former Southwest Conference foe Texas. It is the first time facing the Longhorns since 2014.

Conference USA will announce the 18 game (9 home game) C-USA schedule, along with game times and television information at a later date.

Rice welcomes back 10 lettermen and all five starters from last year's squad that went 17-15 and advanced to the third round of the Conference USA Tournament. Third Team All-CUSA member Quincy Olivari as well as C-USA Newcomer of the Year Travis Evee look to lead the team into the upcoming season.

Fans are able to renew their men's basketball season tickets at RiceOwls.com/myaccount or call 713-348-OWLS (6957).

Nonconference Schedule

GULF COAST SHOWCASE (Estero, FL, November 22 - 24)

Participating teams: Akron, Appalachian State, Delaware, Evansville, Fordham, Oakland, Rice, and Vermont.

Nonconference schedule continued

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