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The NCAA isn’t releasing a bracket this year but at Swish Appeal we’ve decided to make one anyway, based on this formula created by our Zack Ward. Here’s a recap of one of the 64 teams who made the cut according to the Swish Appeal bracket:
On the surface, the Rice Owls’ season was an undisputed success.
By defeating the Old Dominion Monarchs in their final regular-season game, the Owls (21-8, 16-2) became the first women’s basketball team in Conference USA history to win outright back-to-back conference championships.
What. A. Moment.#GoOwls x #GoTogether pic.twitter.com/WpzPqhytY9
— Rice Women’s Basketball (@RiceWBB) March 8, 2020
The final regular-season conference contest was a thriller.
On Senior Day, senior guard Erica Ogwumike shone. She not only scored a team-high 20 points but did it when it mattered most. In a back-and-forth game that featured 18 lead changes, Ogwumike made a clutch bucket with 27 seconds remaining before sinking a pair pressure-packed free throws. Rice captured the 73-70 victory, as well as sole claim to the conference championship.
As Ogwumike expressed after the game, “I don’t think I could have written this any better than to close out my home career with a conference championship.”
Thank you, Erica. #GoOwls x #GoTogether pic.twitter.com/QN9rqXU6cj
— Rice Women’s Basketball (@RiceWBB) March 8, 2020
A few days later, Ogwumike was named C-USA Player of the Year for the second straight season. She also was named to the All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team.
Another Owl also earned multiple conference honors. Junior center Nancy Mulkey was named C-USA Defensive Player of the Year for the second-straight season. The 6-foot-9 Mulkey weaponized her height and length, anchoring the Rice defense as an intimidating rim protector, as evidenced by her conference-leading 77 blocks. Mulkey, of course, also earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team, as well as one on the All-Conference First Team.
Owl freshman Lauren Schwartz was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team.
BREAKING: Trio of Owls have earned @ConferenceUSA postseason awards!
— Rice Women’s Basketball (@RiceWBB) March 9, 2020
- Ogwumike (1st Team All-Conf/All-Defensive Team)
- Mulkey (1st Team All-Conf/All-Defensive Team)
- Schwartz (All-Freshman Team)
» https://t.co/WkVcujfUbR #GoOwls x #GoTogether pic.twitter.com/eoLy5riAIP
Despite these team and individual accomplishments, the Rice Owls cannot help but feel a bit unfulfilled. Due to concerns about COVID-19, the C-USA Tournament was cancelled, denying Rice an opportunity to defend its tournament title.
A berth in the Big Dance also was denied.
Despite all of her collegiate accolades, Ogwumike could have used the NCAA Tournament to showcase her professional-level skills. According to Swish Appeal draft expert Eric Nemchock, the younger Ogwumike’s WNBA potential remains in question. With a Cinderella run, Ogwumike could have convinced WNBA executives that, like her sisters, she belongs in the league.