Rice at UTSA: Owls hope to snap three-game skid

The slumping Rice Owls open the Conference USA-phase of their men’s basketball schedule tonight at UTSA.

Scott Pera is in his first year as head coach of the Owls after spending the past three seasons as the program’s associate head coach.

UTSA (7-6) has constructed a winning record entering C-USA competition under second-year coach Steve Henson.

Playing against Rice (3-10), high-scoring UTSA will be presented with a great opportunity to start fast, as the Owls have lost three in a row and six of their last seven.

Fans should expect the Owls to try and limit the Roadrunners’ possessions.

Rice is tied for 312th out of 351 Division I programs with a scoring average of 66.9 points. UTSA averages 87.2 points, which ranks 17th in the nation.

Here’s a look at a few key players for the Owls:

Connor Cashaw

6-5 junior guard, averages 16.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals.

Ako Adams

6-2 sophomore guard, 8.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists

Robert Martin

6-6 sophomore forward, 8.2 points, 3.7 rebounds

Note: Rice’s Scott Pera has a connection to basketball royalty in Houston.

Pera coached Rockets’ star James Harden in high school in the Los Angeles area.

Here’s a story about Pera’s link to one of basketball’s greatest players.