Greg Williams and D'Frantz Smart after Rice Owls 1st day of practice for 2011-2012 season

Posted: October 3, 2011, 9:25 p.m. CDT.

The Rice Owls began their quest to advance to the NCAA Tournament today with their first day of practice for the 2011-2012 basketball season. Last season, the Owls finished third in Conference USA with an 18-14 overall record including 10-6 in C-USA. The Owls also advanced to the post-season Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT).

Owls' senior point guard, D'Frantz Smart hopes to lead the Owls to the NCAA Tournament in her senior season.

"We took a step last year," Smart said. "Coming from my freshman year, when we were 7 and 23; the next year we got to double digits (in wins); and, then, last year, we got to the WNIT and getting a bye in the first round of the Conference Tournament.

"We just want to keep progressing; and, that's our goal."

Greg Williams, Rice Owls head women's basketball coach, believes this year's Owls squad can be a good team.

"I think we can be pretty good," Williams said. "Of course, you have to stay healthy with your key players; those being our four returning starters. (Freshman of the Year) Jessica Kuster has come back even better. D'Frantz really had a great practice today. (Brianna) Hypolite really had a great off-season. She's had some awesome individuals (drills) for us. (Jessica) Goswitz is solid. You know what you're going with Jess. She's going to give you great effort.

The Owls open the 2011-2012 season with road games at Prairie View A&M on November 11 and at Oklahoma State on November 13.

"We open with four of our first five on the road," Williams added. We hope to come out of those five with a winning record."