Put up or Shut up Time is Here
The "Basketball for Thought" is a commentary by Kris Gardner.December 30, 2004
The Rice Owls men's basketball team has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 1970. Heck, that's two years before I was born! When current Owls' seniors Michael Harris, Jason McKrieth, and Brock Gillespie were freshmen, they told me they would take the team to the "Big Dance" before they graduate from Rice. In their first three seasons at Rice, the team finished 10-19 in the 2001 - 2002 season; 19-10 in '02-'03; and 22-11 last season. Obviously, each season ended with no invitation to the NCAA Tourney. Well, guys, I';m calling you (and your teammates) out -- "It's time to put or shut up!"
Very few members of the media have spent more time covering the Owls basketball program over the last five years than me; so, I'm very serious about my statement. I'm serious because I've seen the Owls play their best basketball at home (re: 87-75 victory over Nevada); and, I believe this year's squad is quite capable of reaching the NCAA Tournament. However, I also know this group of guys can "crawl into a shell" and get smacked around on the road (re: 105-62 loss to Texas - El Paso; 91-77 loss to Hawai`i; and 91-63 loss to Wisconsin - Milwaukee in the first round of the National Invitational Tournament).
Winning on the road is tough. If it were easy to win on the road, every team would do it. Currently, the Owls are 5 and 3; and, you guessed it, all three losses happened on the road. Granted, there is no shame in losing 81-72 at Connecticut or losing by 16 points (88-72) at Syracuse; however, the 75-61 loss at Louisiana Lafayette earlier this season still gnaws at me. The Owls lost that game to "La.-La." the same way it did last season on the road -- careless turnovers and getting out worked and pushed around.
Rice begins conference play tonight at home versus Southern Methodist followed by a New Year's Day afternoon home game versus Louisiana Tech. Since these two games are at home, the Owls will probably win them; however, if they "stub their toe" and lose one or both games, could this team recover and win on the road at Boise State or Nevada or El Paso? I say no way. Period.
I do not believe this team is tough enough to fight through adversity on the road and pick up quality road wins. I do not believe this team will grab that key rebound; make that key defensive stop; or push an opponent around and get physical on the road when they need to get a victory.
I am not saying the 2004 - 2005 Rice Owls team is not a good ball club; but, simply being a good ball club will not produce an NCAA Tournament bid. The Owls cannot suffer "bad losses" to inferior conference foes and expect to get a bid. Rice cannot lean on its basketball reputation / tradition to produce a bid. The players will not get calls from the referees on the road; so, they shouldn't complain, gripe, and / or bitch about it. They should overcome it and play through it. Plus, since the Western Athletic Conference is not known as a powerhouse conference, winning the conference regular season title will not guarantee a Tournament berth which means the Owls are going to have to win the WAC Tournament to ensure a bid. If the Owls don't win the WAC Tournament, perhaps a spot in the Conference Tournament Final would earn a bid; but, why leave a bid up to the Selection Committee? Win the Tournament Title and the thirty-four year drought will end.
While the Owls begin WAC play tonight, to me the true test for the team begins next week on the road: Thursday, January 6, at Texas - El Paso and Saturday, January 8, at Bose State. If Rice wins either or both of those games, then, I'll be a little bit impressed. However, if they roll over and die, then, their goal gets tougher; and, my questioning their toughness will continue.
The cover of the Owls 2004 - 2005 media guide states "28 Battles, One Goal!" I'm not convinced this team will reach that "one goal". Thirty-four years can become thirty-five years so quickly...
It's time to Put up or Shut up! Let the games begin.
