After a disappointing loss to the University of Memphis on Wednesday, SMU returns to the Hilltop for a home game against Rice University at 7 p.m. Saturday at Moody Coliseum.

Of SMU’s five remaining games, Saturday’s will possibly be the best opportunity for SMU (7-17, 1-10) to break its current eight-game Conference USA losing streak. The Rice Owls (8-17, 3-8) enter the game having won two of their last five conference games.

In several ways, SMU and Rice are very similar teams. Both teams have struggling offenses that rely heavily on guard play for points. For the Mustangs, freshman Paul McCoy continues to set the pace at 13.9 points per game. Derek Williams has been contributing as well, joining McCoy as the only other Mustang to average more than 10 points. For Rice, senior Rodney Foster is the only Owl to average in double figures, coming in at 11.8 points-per-game.

Statistically, the Mustangs and the Owls are fairly even. While the Owls outscore the Mustangs by 1.6 points, SMU out rebounds Rice and is shooting a higher field goal percentage. Neither is a great free throw shooting team, as Rice shoots 67.2% and SMU comes in at 62.7% from the charity stripe.

The Mustangs have enjoyed a competitive rivalry against Rice over the last few years. SMU is 4-6 against the Owls since the 2004-2005 season, with three of those games ending in overtime (SMU went 1-2 in overtime games). In the 2006-2007 season Rice swept the Mustangs, but SMU returned the favor last year by winning both games during conference play.

SMU lost the first meeting this season between the two teams with a score of 69-57 in Houston. Paul McCoy was held to six points in that game in one of only three conference games where he was held under 10 points.

After playing Rice, SMU heads back on the road for a game at UTEP at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.