When Erica and Olivia Ogwumike decided to transfer from Pepperdine to Rice, Owls fans knew the program would take a big step under coach Tina Langley.

But when center Nancy Mulkey—their former high school teammate—arrived from Oklahoma the following year, those expectations became far loftier.

Mulkey missed the first month of last season with a wrist injury, but when she returned, the Owls began to soar.

In Mulkey's second game, they lost to North Carolina. After that, they didn't lose another until falling to No. 5 seed Marquette in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament three months later.

In between those losses, Rice dominated Conference USA. Its average margin of victory over C-USA teams was 18.3 points per game.

Erica Ogwumike (the reigning C-USA Player of the Year) and Mulkey (the reigning Defensive Player of the Year) are back, so it’s easy to assume the Owls will steamroll their way to another NCAA Tournament berth—and they probably will. But their depth will be tested.

In the shadow of Ogwumike’s production and Mulkey’s defensive impregnability, another former transfer, Nicole Iademarco, was an underrated contributor. Iademarco is gone, as is last year’s C-USA Sixth Player of the Year, Lauren Grigsby.

Ogwumike is a double-double machine—although that label sells her contributions terribly short—and Mulkey will be a nightmare on both sides of the court.

But beyond the former high school teammates, guards Sydne Wiggins and Haylee Swayze will need to help supplement lost production. Look for sophomore point guard Jasmine Smith to improve after starting as a true freshman a year ago.

Reinforcing its losses, Rice also welcomes a talented freshmen class which includes McDonald’s All-American nominees Ashlee Austin and Katelyn Crosthwait.

Prior to Mulkey’s recovery a year ago, the Owls fell at Texas A&M in their season opener.

This year, in what could be its biggest test of the year, a healthier Rice team will host the Aggies in mid-November. The following weekend, they travel to Oklahoma State.  Another pair of Power Five opponents await in December’s Puerto Rico Classic (Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech).

Like many coaches, Langley preaches the importance of focusing on each individual week and game.

But with two of the best players in the country back, Owls fans could be dreaming of an NCAA Tournament run all winter.

To improve its prospects as a dark horse contender, the pressure to win may start well before conference play begins. 

Preseason MVP: Senior guard, Erica Ogwumike
Rice has a pair of legitimate MVP candidates in Ogwumike and center Nancy Mulkey. As the team’s most dynamic weapon, Ogwumike could earn a second consecutive C-USA Player of the Year award this season. 

Game of the Year: Texas A&M 
Center Nancy Mulkey missed Rice’s opener against the Aggies last year and should be healthy when the teams battle in Houston.

Impact-First Year Player:
Freshman forward Ashlee Austin