Men's Basketball Plays Host to Rice on Legends Day
2/18/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2012
TULSA, Okla. - Tulsa will honors its men's basketball greats of the past on Legends Day as the Golden Hurricane takes on Rice at 7 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.
The Golden Hurricane (15-11, 8-4 C-USA) has won eight of its last 10 games, while the Owls (15-11, 6-5 C-USA) have won four of their last five contests. Live audio/video and live stats will be available at www.TulsaHurricane.com.
Jordan Clarkson leads the Hurricane, which scores 66.2 points per game, with 16.2 points and 2.7 assists per contest. Scottie Haralson averages 11.6 points and makes 3.0 three-pointers per game, while Steven Idlet scores 9.7 points and grabs 5.2 rebounds per game. Tim Peete also dishes 2.3 assists per outing, while Kodi Maduka leads TU with 6.4 rebounds and adds 7.9 points and 1.8 blocks.
The Golden Hurricane ranks 31st in the nation in rebounding margin, averaging 36.0 rebounds per game to its opponents' 30.4 rpg. The TU defense holds its foes to a .410 field goal percentage and 62.7 points per game - including a .403 field goal percentage and 60.3 ppg in C-USA play. Tulsa also ranks 22nd in the country in blocked shots, averaging 5.2 per contest. TU shoots 45 percent from the floor.
Rice is led by Arsalan Kazemi who averages a double-double with 12.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Tamir Jackson scores 11.2 points, while Connor Frizzelle scores 9.6 points and Dylan Ennis leads the team with 4.0 assists per game and adds 8.1 points per outing. The Owls score 70.3 points per game, shooting .444 from the floor, .346 from three-point range and .674 from the free throw line, and allow opponents to score 65.7 points, shooting .409 from the field and .349 from downtown. Rice averages 37.0 rebounds and allow 34.7 rebounds per game.
This is the 31st meeting between Tulsa and Rice. Tulsa leads the series, 24-6. The series began in 1997, and the schools have played each year since. Tulsa won the earlier meeting this year in Houston by a score of 70-46. The Hurricane has won 11 consecutive games in the series, dating back to the 2005-06 season. Prior to Tulsa's 11-game winning streak, Rice won three straight contests from 2004-05. The Hurricane has a 13-1 record in games played in Tulsa, including one game played at the BOK Center. The lone Tulsa loss at home came on February 12, 2005, 71-64 in overtime. Tulsa has a 20.2 win margin in its 12 victories at the Reynolds Center.
For all Tulsa men's basketball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane and Facebook at www.facebook.com/TulsaHurricane.
