No. 19 Texas Longhorns vs. Rice Owls: Preview, Betting Odds, How to Watch

Texas Longhorns vs. Rice Owls: Preview, Betting Odds, How to Watch

Zach Dimmitt | Nov 15, 2023

AUSTIN, Texas -- The No. 19 Texas Longhorns play host to the Rice Owls of the American Athletic Conference at the Moody Center on Wednesday in what will be the 114th all-time meeting between the two schools, the fifth-most meetings Texas has with another team in program history,

Rice (1-1) is coming off an 89-76 loss to Harvard on Friday. The Owls took down St. Thomas 101-57 in the season opener.

The Longhorns lead the all-time series 87-27, which included last season's 87-81 win over Rice in overtime. Texas fans remember that matchup all too well, as former Longhorns head coach Chris Beard was arrested the morning of the game. This thrust Rodney Terry into the role of interim head coach, and the Longhorns never looked back.

Focused on this game and this season, Terry didn't spend too much too reflecting on that wild day when speaking to the media on Tuesday, but he made it clear he was always prepared to step into that role if needed.

"I was obviously thrust into a position where I had to make decisions," Terry said. "As an assistant, you make suggestions. As a head coach, you make decisions."

Texas Longhorns guard Tyrese Hunter (4) and Rice Owls guard Mekhi Mason (2) battle for the ball during the first half at Moody Center. — Texas Longhorns guard Tyrese Hunter (4) and Rice Owls guard Mekhi Mason (2) battle for the ball during the first half at Moody Center / © Scott Wachter, USA TODAY

The Owls return some key players from last year, including standout big man Max Fiedler. In the loss to Texas last season, he had 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

He's keeping up his impressive play through two games this season, as he currently leads Rice in points (14.5), rebounds (10.0) and assists (5.0) per game.

Terry called Fiedler one of the best passers in college basketball, regardless of position.

"He's in his 5th year of playing college basketball," Terry said. "He's an all-conference guy, a guy that shoots a very high percentage in the paint. He's an elite passer, probably one of the best passers in all of college basketball."