Thursday, November 2
Houston, TX
7 p.m.
Rice University
vs
Clayton State (Exhibition)
Men’s Basketball Hosts Clayton State in Lone Exhibition
11/1/2023 2:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
HOUSTON — Rice will play its first game of the 2023-24 campaign when it welcomes Clayton State to Tudor Fieldhouse this Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. CT. It will be the lone exhibition game of the year for the Owls.
Exhibition
What: Rice vs. Clayton State
When: Thursday, November 2 at 7 p.m.
Where: Houston, Texas
Stadium: Tudor Fieldhouse (5,208)
Stream: N/A
Listen: RiceOwls.com
Live Stats: RiceOwls.com
Series Information: First Meeting
Scouting Rice
• Rice returns eight letterwinners and four starters from last year's squad that went 19-16 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational.
• Fifth-year senior guard and two-time All-Conference USA Honorable Mention member Travis Evee is Rice's leading returning scorer, averaging 15.6 points per game last year, which was sixth in C-USA. He connected on 34.8% from three and was sixth in the league in three-pointers made per game (2.3) and seventh in free throw percentage (.819).
• Senior forward and Second Team All-Conference USA honoree Max Fiedler averaged 11.1 points per game. He connected on 73.5% from the field, which led the country, while leading C-USA with 5.0 assists per game. He's was also third in double-doubles (8), fourth in rebounds (7.6), and eighth in blocks per game (1.1).
• Sophomore guard Mekhi Mason was fourth on team with 9.9 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game and led the squad in three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 37.5% from three.
• Junior guard Cameron Sheffield averaged 7.6 points per game while placing second on the team and eighth in C-USA with 6.3 rebounds per game. He was also third on the team in three-point field goal percentage (37.3%).
• Rice averaged 76.9 points per game last year, which was third in Conference USA, while allowing 76.6.
• The Owls connected on 46.6% from the field, which was third in the league, and 35.2% from three, which placed second. Their opponents connected on 46.6% from the floor and 36.3% from behind the arc.
• Rice outrebounded its opponents, 34.9-to-34.6.
• Rice led the conference in assists per game (15.2), was second in three-pointers made per game (8.9) and fourth in free throw percentage (.738).
• Head coach Scott Pera is in his seventh season leading the Rice men's basketball program.
Scouting Clayton State
• Clayton State begins the 2023-24 campaign after finishing 3-25 and 1-17 in the Peach Belt Conference.
• The Lakers welcome back four letterwinners from last year's squad, including two starters. Clayton State also welcomes 12 newcomers
• Junior guard Christian Chambers is CSU's top returning scorer, averaging 10.0 points last year. He also averaged 3.0 rebounds while connecting on 43.1% from the floor and 74.6% from the free throw line.
• Junior guard Travis Harper II averaged 9.2 points per game and 4.2 rebounds. He also led the team in free throw percentage, averaging 78.3% from the charity stripe.
• Senior forward Wes Williams averaged 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds and junior guard Baqi Lecky averaged 4.9 points while connecting on 49.0% from the field.
• Former Rice Assistant Coach Vince Alexander is in his third season leading the Clayton State men's basketball program.
Rice-Rockhurst Series History
• Rice and Clayton State will meet for the first time overall.
• This will be the first-ever game against a member of the Peach Belt Conference.
Next Up
• Rice opens its 2023-24 regular season next Tuesday, Nov. 7, when it hosts crosstown foe St. Thomas. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed at ESPN+.
Exhibition
What: Rice vs. Clayton State
When: Thursday, November 2 at 7 p.m.
Where: Houston, Texas
Stadium: Tudor Fieldhouse (5,208)
Stream: N/A
Listen: RiceOwls.com
Live Stats: RiceOwls.com
Series Information: First Meeting
Scouting Rice
• Rice returns eight letterwinners and four starters from last year's squad that went 19-16 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the College Basketball Invitational.
• Fifth-year senior guard and two-time All-Conference USA Honorable Mention member Travis Evee is Rice's leading returning scorer, averaging 15.6 points per game last year, which was sixth in C-USA. He connected on 34.8% from three and was sixth in the league in three-pointers made per game (2.3) and seventh in free throw percentage (.819).
• Senior forward and Second Team All-Conference USA honoree Max Fiedler averaged 11.1 points per game. He connected on 73.5% from the field, which led the country, while leading C-USA with 5.0 assists per game. He's was also third in double-doubles (8), fourth in rebounds (7.6), and eighth in blocks per game (1.1).
• Sophomore guard Mekhi Mason was fourth on team with 9.9 points per game and 3.1 rebounds per game and led the squad in three-point field goal percentage, connecting on 37.5% from three.
• Junior guard Cameron Sheffield averaged 7.6 points per game while placing second on the team and eighth in C-USA with 6.3 rebounds per game. He was also third on the team in three-point field goal percentage (37.3%).
• Rice averaged 76.9 points per game last year, which was third in Conference USA, while allowing 76.6.
• The Owls connected on 46.6% from the field, which was third in the league, and 35.2% from three, which placed second. Their opponents connected on 46.6% from the floor and 36.3% from behind the arc.
• Rice outrebounded its opponents, 34.9-to-34.6.
• Rice led the conference in assists per game (15.2), was second in three-pointers made per game (8.9) and fourth in free throw percentage (.738).
• Head coach Scott Pera is in his seventh season leading the Rice men's basketball program.
Scouting Clayton State
• Clayton State begins the 2023-24 campaign after finishing 3-25 and 1-17 in the Peach Belt Conference.
• The Lakers welcome back four letterwinners from last year's squad, including two starters. Clayton State also welcomes 12 newcomers
• Junior guard Christian Chambers is CSU's top returning scorer, averaging 10.0 points last year. He also averaged 3.0 rebounds while connecting on 43.1% from the floor and 74.6% from the free throw line.
• Junior guard Travis Harper II averaged 9.2 points per game and 4.2 rebounds. He also led the team in free throw percentage, averaging 78.3% from the charity stripe.
• Senior forward Wes Williams averaged 5.8 points and 4.0 rebounds and junior guard Baqi Lecky averaged 4.9 points while connecting on 49.0% from the field.
• Former Rice Assistant Coach Vince Alexander is in his third season leading the Clayton State men's basketball program.
Rice-Rockhurst Series History
• Rice and Clayton State will meet for the first time overall.
• This will be the first-ever game against a member of the Peach Belt Conference.
Next Up
• Rice opens its 2023-24 regular season next Tuesday, Nov. 7, when it hosts crosstown foe St. Thomas. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. The game will be streamed at ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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