Game Day in El Paso! Some thoughts from the Media Room

Originally Published: Mar 10, 2011 12:0 PM CDT

The bench will be important in tonight's game for Tulsa. In the previous two meetings, Rice has gotten a lot of help from the reserves. The Owls scored 56% of their points off the bench compared to Tulsa's 26%.

It may not seem like a big deal, but if Scottie Haralson's shots aren't falling and Idlet can't get position in the paint, it could come down to the output off the bench for the Golden Hurricane. Justin Hurtt can't do it all. Jordan Clarkson is a big time option for Doug Wojcik in this game.

Funny notes about today at the CUSA tournament:

In a match up oddity, three teams will try for three wins over one opponent in the same season:

UAB will try for three in a row at noon against East Carolina

Memphis will try for three in a row at 2:30 pm against Southern

and the Golden Hurricane will try for three in a row tonight at 9 pm against Rice.

Also, there is mention in the El Paso Times today for fans to show up and watch Justin Hurtt. He's the leagues scoring champ and narrowly edged out UTEP star Randy Culpepper. Hurtt got some nice praise in the paper. Those two will meet tomorrow if they both win tonight.

For those who don't expect much from the C-USA representative in the NCAA tournament, consider this. The eight teams remaining heading into today's games have 79 combined tournament appearances. The conference is capable of winning NCAA games. Memphis leads the way with 22. Tulsa has been to the NCAA tournament 14 times.

I haven't seen a ton of Tulsa fans here in El Paso yet, but I'm sure they're here. The game doesn't start for a few hours, so around dinner time I expect more gold and blue to show up at the Don Haskins Center.

Tip off is in 9 hours.....