Rice coach Wayne Graham prefers not to play the late game for a variety of reasons. With four games a day, the last game of the day can start much later than normal (see the 2002 Big XII Tournament, where the featured Texas-Texas A&M game didn't start until 10:45 pm). Bad weather can have the same effect, and with scattered thunderstorms the norm on a summer afternoon in Houston that's a common threat at Reckling Park. So from a strategic standpoint, it makes all the sense in the world. But it sure is hard on the Owl fans...

Still a lot of empty green seats, even for the matchup featuring the host team of the tournament. I don't think that there's an empty seat in the shade, but only the hardiest of fans have ventured directly behind the dugoug. It also doesn't help that the Owls normally occupy the first base dugout, while in this tournament the designated home team stays down the leftfield line. Not only do the Rice fans have to survive the sun, but they don't have the benefit of being able to hear Coach Graham's observations as he returns to the dugout.

Eddie Degerman has sparkled so far for the Owls, allowing one hit while striking out three UAB batters in the first three innings. Rice scored the only two runs of the game in the second, augmenting a walk and two singles by stealing two bases and scoring on a wild pitch. Top of the order for the Owls in the bottom of the second, leading 2-0.