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Sports

FIGHTING WORDS

What impact will the men's basketball home game against Rice Wednesday have on the rest of the season?

Take it easy

The game, which will feature the hated Rice Owls traveling to Hofheinz Pavilion to face the Cougars, will be important for several reasons. 

First of all, Houston and its fan base has a bitter taste in its mouth after losing to Rice a few weeks ago.

There is no doubt the Cougars will try to avenge that 76-71 decision with everything they have. 

In addition, Houston is tied with Rice with a 4-2 conference record, so a win would move the Cougars up in the Conference USA standings. 

But Houston should not place too much emphasis on this game. 

The Cougars should not overlook the rest of their schedule and should take things one game at a time.

It will help that Hofheinz Pavilion will probably be packed -- the Rice-UH rivalry has been rising to new levels in the past few seasons.

Grade: CHome team must hold ground

There is no better way to get a winning run started than to do it against a conference rival, especially against a team like Rice. 

This crosstown rivalry has brought the best out of both teams and will definitely lead to an intense basketball game. As far as this whole overlooking business is concerned, I believe you contradicted yourself, Mr. Jabbe. Taking it one game at a time is putting the focus on winning this crucial game against Rice to gain ground in Conference USA.

Also, UH and the Owls don't exactly have the best of relationships, so the Cougars standing their ground in front of a packed house is certainly crucial for the team as it makes a run at the postseason. 

Losing this game will be detrimental for team spirit and hurt UH's place in C-USA, but winning will undoubtedly get the victory train moving.

Grade: B+If Cougar fans will come ...

Wednesday's game between UH and Rice is important mainly because of two reasons: 

1) Both teams are tied with Central Florida for second place behind Memphis, so a victory would create some separation for either team. 

2) The Cougars need a victory to turn the tables on Rice and give their fans some solace for the embarrassing loss suffered when the two teams played at Autry Court two weeks ago. 

The latter reason is significant because the outcome of Wednesday's game will most likely have an impact on the Cougars' fan turnout for the rest of the season. 

A victory over Rice would go a long way in assuring fans that this team can still do some serious winning. 

But don't expect Wednesday's game to be sold out -- after all, these are UH fans we're talking about. 

Grade: A UH needs to find its mojo

Sparks are going to fly any time Houston and Rice get together on the hardwood, but after the previous game between the two rivals nearly ended in an all-out brawl Jan. 17 after a 76-71 Owl win, there will certainly be no love lost between the two.

This game is a must-win for both squads because they're conference rivals -- that's a given. 

But there will be something much more valuable at stake for the home team: UH has the chance to regain its mojo from last season. 

It may just be one date on the schedule, but with just 11 games remaining before the C-USA tournament, Houston needs to establish its identity as the hard-nosed, take-no-prisoners defensive unit coach Tom Penders says they are -- and fast.

For this reason, fans will show up.

The winner: Me
 

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