The Houston Roundball Review is an online basketball publication
by: Kris Gardner, United States Basketball Writers Association member. Credentialed media member since 1997. USBWA approved online journalist. Voter of Katrina McClain, Naismith, USBWA, and Wooden awards.

Confident Owls looking forward to 2011-2012 season

News and info about the Rice Owls from 2011

Posted: November 10, 2011, 11:29 p.m. CST.

Last season was a successful season for the Rice Owls. The Owls finished with an 18-14 record last season and earned a postseason berth to the WNIT. The 2011-2012 team has higher expectations combined with talented players and a confident attitude. The Owls have a goal to reach the NCAA Tournament; and, the players believe a berth in the NCAA Tournament is a realistic goal.

"We have four returning starters in Bri (Brianna Hypolite), D'Frantz (Smart), (Jessica) Kuster, and Jess-Gos (Jessica Goswitz)," said senior post Candace Ashford. "I think we're looking really strong and we'll have a good season. Our goal is to win Conference; and, I think it's a very realistic goal. All of the players think we can do it. That's what we're in it for."

"We have a lot to live up to with the number two prediction in the conference," Ashford added.

Rice was tabbed as the number two team in Conference USA in the preseason C-USA poll. Junior guard Jessica Goswitz accepts and relishes the prediction.

"I think we're really competitive; and, being (picked) number two in the Conference, we've set a high standard for ourselves," Goswitz said. "We feel like we can fulfill that.

"I wouldn't call it pressure; it's just more motivation to work harder in practice and be more competitive on the court."

However, Jessica Kuster believes the team is dealing with some pressure to have a successful season.

It's a little bit of pressure," Kuster added. "There are high expectations, especially because we have four starters returning. We should try not to think about it too much and just try to make sure we have good practices every single day. If we do that, we should be fine."

Owls senior guard Amenemope McKinney expects great things from the team this season.

"I'm looking forward to the great things we have ahead of this season," McKinney said. "We're preseason ranked number two in Conference USA; and, that's a long way from where we were my freshman year. We're coming off our (postseason) WNIT bid last year; and, going forward into this year with that momentum, I'm really looking forward to this year."

This year's team is confident; but, sensational sophomore forward, Jessica Kuster, does not believe the team is over confident.

"I think there's a better kind of air about the team this season," said Kuster, the only sophomore named to the preseason C-USA First Team. "Since most of us do have postseason experience with the WNIT last year, and with the players returning we have coming back, we have a goal this season because, last year, we really didn't have a goal except to have a winning season; but, we ended up going to the postseason. This season, we know that we're capable of doings like that which makes us a little bit more confident; but, we're still kind of leery of being over confident."

D'Frantz Smart, the Owls' senior starting point guard, summarized the team's confidence saying "We're more confident this season," Smart said matter-of-factly. "I think last season instilled confidence in the players. We understood that we have talent; and, that we can compete with anyone as long as we don't put ourselves into holes; and, we make shots and don't have turnovers and we play defense like how we can."

Rice begins the 2011-2012 season Friday, November 11, on the road versus SWAC Tournament champs, Prairie View A&M. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

Though Prairie View was picked in a first-place tie with Southern to win the SWAC, the Owls believe they will start the season 1 and 0.

"I think we're all excited," said Ashford. It's going to be weird having our first game on the road; but, we're going to come home with a win."

Goswitz agreed with Ashford.

"I definitely back that comment," Goswitz said.

Smart agreed with her teammates.

"I concur. I definitely concur," Smart acknowledged. "We'll be at Prairie View. Although we're not starting the season here at Tudor, we're ready. We're ready. It's going to be slow. We've been practicing for 40 days. We haven't competed against anyone with a ref, a clock, and score; but, I see us coming out strong and getting a win at PV."

Kuster was more diplomatic about Friday's game versus Prairie View.

"In our two scrimmages, we played completely different games," Kuster admitted. "We were focused in one but not focused in the other one. The game against Prairie View is going to be interesting to see who on our team comes out ready to be focused and who might not be focused."

However, Kuster did say with confidence this season would be a disappointment if the Owls did not earn a trip to the postseason.

"I definitely expect us to go to the postseason," Kuster proclaimed. "It would definitely be a let down if we didn't. We're going to have make sure we show up every single game. Our goal is to make it to the postseason this year. It was great that we made it the WNIT last year; but, not to take anything away from the WNIT, it would be great, especially for our seniors, to make it to the NCAA Tournament this season. Postseason play is definitely, definitely a goal. "

Amenemope McKinney seconded Kuster's statement.

"My goal for the team will be nothing less than a conference championship and an NCAA bid," said McKinney. "I think that's very realistic."

D'Frantz Smart summarized the team's confidence and excitement for 2011-2012.

"We're going to be good," Smart stated proudly. "I'm excited for the season. I think a lot of our fans are excited for this season. We're going to put on a good show."

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