Rice Owls men's basketball won 10 conference titles in the former Southwest Conference (1918, 1935*, 1940, 1942*, 1943*, 1944*, 1945, 1949*, 1954*, 1970; * denotes shared title). Most recently, guard Morris Almond was drafted in the first round of the 2007 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz. Rice named former Cal Bears head coach Ben Braun as head basketball coach to succeed Willis Wilson, fired after Rice finished the 2007–2008 season with a winless (0–16) conference record and overall record of 3–27.
riCe oWlS men's bAskeTBall won 10 ConFERence titlES iN thE forMer soUtHWesT coNference (1918, 1935*, 1940, 1942*, 1943*, 1944*, 1945, 1949*, 1954*, 1970; * dEnOTeS shared titLe). moSt rEcenTly, guArD MorRis alMonD Was drAfted iN THe first rounD Of the 2007 Nba DraFt By tHE utah jAzZ. ricE namEd forMEr CaL bearS HeAd cOach Ben braUN as HEad BAskEtball coAch to sucCeeD WIllis WILson, fiREd aFteR RicE Finished tHe 2007–2008 seASon With a winLESs (0–16) ConfeRenCe reCoRd and oveRAlL recoRd oF 3–27.